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We all get tired after physical and mental stress, and this is a normal phenomenon—it means everything is fine with our body. It signals that it is time to take a break. A natural mechanism of protection against overload is at work. When you are tired, it is enough to stay in a state of rest, relax, switch to a different activity, or sleep. The body will restore its strength, and vigor and energy will return. However, in some cases, the feeling of fatigue does not go away even after prolonged rest. This feeling lasts for days, weeks, months. This condition is called chronic fatigue (CFS). This is a distinct syndrome that should not be confused with a depressive disorder. CFS affects 120–140 million people—2% of the world's population. And one in four people who seek a psychotherapist complains of symptoms of chronic fatigue. However, the syndrome is actually diagnosed in only one out of every 200 such patients.
Causes of CFS
There is no single "switch" that triggers the process. Various factors are cited—both external (stress, illness) and internal (genetic predisposition).
Viruses are most often considered the culprits—Herpes type 6 or type 4 (Epstein-Barr), and others. The herpes virus is present in the bodies of almost all people—90% of the planet's population. It is in a latent form, hidden inside cells, and does not manifest itself until a certain time. But if a trigger comes into play, the virus starts to act. The immune system tries to neutralize the threat—killer cells (phagocytes) attack and engulf all foreign particles. But at some point, there are too few of these cells, and the viruses win. The state of suppressed immunity is called immunosuppression (or immunodepression).
A second cause of CFS is stress. We constantly face factors that affect the psyche. Negative influences lead to the production of stress hormones, which stimulate the body's activity so we can cope with environmental challenges. But in the long term, various systems and organs suffer from this, and metabolism is disrupted. Appetite and libido decrease, an anxious state develops, and insomnia begins. Illnesses such as gastritis and a gastric ulcer may appear. Constant stress depletes the body's resources, and a person becomes vulnerable to external factors.
The risk of developing CFS increases if a relative also suffers from this disorder. Scientists have found that the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands are responsible for the corresponding processes (immunity, energy metabolism, stress response). A malfunction in their work causes increased fatigue.
Immune system errors can also cause disorders. Most people with CFS do not have autoimmune diseases or HIV, but allergies and hyperactivity of T-lymphocytes (which fight infections) are registered.
Another cause of CFS development is oxidative stress under the influence of free radicals (which cause cell death).
There is also a theory that the syndrome arises due to an impaired balance of dopamine and serotonin.
Finally, another "culprit" is named—glutamate. This substance, which is toxic to brain tissues, accumulates during prolonged and exhausting mental activity. And the brain begins to intentionally "slow down" to eliminate the toxin.
Risk Factors
Workaholics with a heightened sense of responsibility are most susceptible to chronic fatigue syndrome. Scientists have not yet determined why fatigue becomes chronic in some people. As we have already established, various factors are cited: from heredity to immune disorders. Moreover, they must coincide with unfavorable environmental factors. What plays a role:
Gender. It has been noted that CFS occurs at least twice as often in women as in men. Perhaps this is due to the cyclical hormonal changes that occur in the female body.
Age. The problem can manifest in anyone, but adolescents up to 19 years and middle-aged people (30–40 years) are most susceptible.
Circadian Rhythms. Night shift work, insomnia, and flights lead to a disruption of the biological clock and, consequently, an energy deficit.
Lifestyle. Lack of sunlight, fresh air, physical activity, nightly sleep, and bad habits (smoking, excessive consumption of coffee and alcohol) weaken the body.
Stress, depressive, and anxious states also consume a lot of our internal resources.
Chronic diseases, viruses, infections, and exposure to toxins undermine the body's strength.
Improper nutrition (excessive or meager), a lack of beneficial substances, and their poor absorption—all of this undermines our health and hastens the onset of CFS.
The environmental factor is also important. Chronic fatigue develops much more often in inhabitants of large cities than in rural residents.
Characteristic Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue
CFS can start like a common cold. The person becomes apathetic and loses interest in usual activities. Here is how this condition manifests:
General weakness remains even after sleep and rest, and this lasts for several months.
The person fatigues quickly after minor exertion.
A state of drowsiness persists, but insomnia may also be observed.
There is no strength or desire to perform household chores.
Thoughts of work, getting ready, and commuting to the office are unpleasant.
Vigor and energy do not return at all, even after positive events or emotional release.
Favorite activities and hobbies, sports, and travel—all become uninteresting, boring, and bland.
The person avoids socializing with friends and relatives—there is no remaining strength or time for it.
Mental activity is also impaired with CFS. Chronic fatigue of the body can manifest physically:
Sore throat, headache.
Inflamed lymph nodes.
Reduced immunity.
Persistent subfebrile body temperature (+37–37.5°C or +98.6–99.5°F).
Muscle, joint, and spine pain.
If these symptoms persist for months, the person needs treatment. Otherwise, irreversible changes in the psyche and body may occur.
Types of Chronic Fatigue
Depending on the causes that triggered the syndrome, the following types of chronic fatigue are distinguished:
Professional—caused by constant overloads at the workplace.
Emotional—often develops in winter due to a deficit of vitamins and sunlight.
Hormonal—caused by a hormonal imbalance; in women, this happens at the end of the menstrual cycle.
Alimentary (Food-related)—provoked by simple carbohydrates in the diet.
Physical—arises against the background of heavy labor or intense training.
CFS caused by a deficit of nightly sleep is also distinguished. In this case, the person's memory deteriorates, they have a headache, and they become sluggish and apathetic.
Possible Complications
CFS, like other chronic diseases, reduces the quality of life. If left untreated, neuropsychiatric diseases can develop on this background. A person with CFS is prone to panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts may appear.
Accompanying disorders arise: problems with the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), eating disorders, and tension headaches.
The nervous system suffers, and brain function deteriorates. Muscle tone drops. Atrophy of bone tissue and muscles may occur, leading to disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Chronic diseases are exacerbated, and colds become more frequent. The person feels unwell, becomes depressed and irritable.
All this negatively affects social connections, professional activity, and personal life.
How to Deal with Chronic Fatigue?
Although CFS is not classified as a separate disease in the WHO classification system, it requires qualified medical assistance.
Diagnosis is difficult because the symptoms are non-specific and manifest comprehensively. A thorough patient examination and study of the medical history are required.
To rule out other diseases, the patient is referred for examinations and provides urine and blood samples for analysis. The concentration of Epstein-Barr virus particles, retroviruses, and cytomegaloviruses is checked (it is elevated by 2 times in CFS). A high level of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline is a sign of stress.
The main signs in diagnosis are typical symptoms: a persistent feeling of fatigue, general sluggishness and weakness, depressed mood, lack of appetite, etc.
Depending on the symptoms, the patient is referred to specialists:
Therapist (General Practitioner).
Neurologist.
Psychologist.
Immunologist.
Endocrinologist.
There is no standard treatment scheme. Therapy may include:
Prescription of vitamins, anti-inflammatory and antiviral medications, immunomodulators, and homeopathic remedies.
Massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and therapeutic exercises (physiotherapy).
Psychotherapy, and taking antidepressants.
The doctor also recommends correcting lifestyle (time management, sufficient rest) and diet.
Prognosis and Prevention of CFS
While devoting all energy and time to work, one must not ignore the body's natural needs. If this is done, the body will be able to resist diseases, stress, and other negative effects, and fatigue will not accumulate and turn into a chronic disorder. It is important to:
Eat properly, including all necessary vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the diet. It is important to consume foods rich in iron—this element is responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells. It is better to eat small portions every 2–3 hours. Sweets and fast food should be avoided—they do not replenish energy reserves but only provide a short-term burst of energy.
Plan your daily regimen, reasonably distributing the duration of work and rest. You cannot work 12–14 hours a day! It is important to set priorities: you cannot complete all the work.
Exercise—this will help stay in tone.
Sleep at least 7–8 hours at night.
Give up bad habits: smoking, alcohol.
Avoid stress and learn to resist it, regulating emotions.
CFS is not always a consequence of professional burnout. Very often, it is a signal that a pathology is developing in the body. Therefore, comprehensive diagnosis is necessary.
Diagnosis and Treatment at Expert Clinics
Anti-aging medicine doctors working at our clinic have deep knowledge and extensive experience in combating CFS. Qualified international specialists will accurately determine the causes of the disorder and prescribe a comprehensive, individually tailored treatment program. Therapy will be aimed at restoring the balance of hormones and substances important for health. You will not only feel a significant improvement in your condition but will also learn to manage it yourself, control emotions, and cope with stress.
You can schedule an appointment by calling the indicated phone number or by filling out the feedback form.
Causes of CFS
There is no single "switch" that triggers the process. Various factors are cited—both external (stress, illness) and internal (genetic predisposition).
Viruses are most often considered the culprits—Herpes type 6 or type 4 (Epstein-Barr), and others. The herpes virus is present in the bodies of almost all people—90% of the planet's population. It is in a latent form, hidden inside cells, and does not manifest itself until a certain time. But if a trigger comes into play, the virus starts to act. The immune system tries to neutralize the threat—killer cells (phagocytes) attack and engulf all foreign particles. But at some point, there are too few of these cells, and the viruses win. The state of suppressed immunity is called immunosuppression (or immunodepression).
A second cause of CFS is stress. We constantly face factors that affect the psyche. Negative influences lead to the production of stress hormones, which stimulate the body's activity so we can cope with environmental challenges. But in the long term, various systems and organs suffer from this, and metabolism is disrupted. Appetite and libido decrease, an anxious state develops, and insomnia begins. Illnesses such as gastritis and a gastric ulcer may appear. Constant stress depletes the body's resources, and a person becomes vulnerable to external factors.
The risk of developing CFS increases if a relative also suffers from this disorder. Scientists have found that the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands are responsible for the corresponding processes (immunity, energy metabolism, stress response). A malfunction in their work causes increased fatigue.
Immune system errors can also cause disorders. Most people with CFS do not have autoimmune diseases or HIV, but allergies and hyperactivity of T-lymphocytes (which fight infections) are registered.
Another cause of CFS development is oxidative stress under the influence of free radicals (which cause cell death).
There is also a theory that the syndrome arises due to an impaired balance of dopamine and serotonin.
Finally, another "culprit" is named—glutamate. This substance, which is toxic to brain tissues, accumulates during prolonged and exhausting mental activity. And the brain begins to intentionally "slow down" to eliminate the toxin.
Risk Factors
Workaholics with a heightened sense of responsibility are most susceptible to chronic fatigue syndrome. Scientists have not yet determined why fatigue becomes chronic in some people. As we have already established, various factors are cited: from heredity to immune disorders. Moreover, they must coincide with unfavorable environmental factors. What plays a role:
Gender. It has been noted that CFS occurs at least twice as often in women as in men. Perhaps this is due to the cyclical hormonal changes that occur in the female body.
Age. The problem can manifest in anyone, but adolescents up to 19 years and middle-aged people (30–40 years) are most susceptible.
Circadian Rhythms. Night shift work, insomnia, and flights lead to a disruption of the biological clock and, consequently, an energy deficit.
Lifestyle. Lack of sunlight, fresh air, physical activity, nightly sleep, and bad habits (smoking, excessive consumption of coffee and alcohol) weaken the body.
Stress, depressive, and anxious states also consume a lot of our internal resources.
Chronic diseases, viruses, infections, and exposure to toxins undermine the body's strength.
Improper nutrition (excessive or meager), a lack of beneficial substances, and their poor absorption—all of this undermines our health and hastens the onset of CFS.
The environmental factor is also important. Chronic fatigue develops much more often in inhabitants of large cities than in rural residents.
Characteristic Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue
CFS can start like a common cold. The person becomes apathetic and loses interest in usual activities. Here is how this condition manifests:
General weakness remains even after sleep and rest, and this lasts for several months.
The person fatigues quickly after minor exertion.
A state of drowsiness persists, but insomnia may also be observed.
There is no strength or desire to perform household chores.
Thoughts of work, getting ready, and commuting to the office are unpleasant.
Vigor and energy do not return at all, even after positive events or emotional release.
Favorite activities and hobbies, sports, and travel—all become uninteresting, boring, and bland.
The person avoids socializing with friends and relatives—there is no remaining strength or time for it.
Mental activity is also impaired with CFS. Chronic fatigue of the body can manifest physically:
Sore throat, headache.
Inflamed lymph nodes.
Reduced immunity.
Persistent subfebrile body temperature (+37–37.5°C or +98.6–99.5°F).
Muscle, joint, and spine pain.
If these symptoms persist for months, the person needs treatment. Otherwise, irreversible changes in the psyche and body may occur.
Types of Chronic Fatigue
Depending on the causes that triggered the syndrome, the following types of chronic fatigue are distinguished:
Professional—caused by constant overloads at the workplace.
Emotional—often develops in winter due to a deficit of vitamins and sunlight.
Hormonal—caused by a hormonal imbalance; in women, this happens at the end of the menstrual cycle.
Alimentary (Food-related)—provoked by simple carbohydrates in the diet.
Physical—arises against the background of heavy labor or intense training.
CFS caused by a deficit of nightly sleep is also distinguished. In this case, the person's memory deteriorates, they have a headache, and they become sluggish and apathetic.
Possible Complications
CFS, like other chronic diseases, reduces the quality of life. If left untreated, neuropsychiatric diseases can develop on this background. A person with CFS is prone to panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts may appear.
Accompanying disorders arise: problems with the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), eating disorders, and tension headaches.
The nervous system suffers, and brain function deteriorates. Muscle tone drops. Atrophy of bone tissue and muscles may occur, leading to disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Chronic diseases are exacerbated, and colds become more frequent. The person feels unwell, becomes depressed and irritable.
All this negatively affects social connections, professional activity, and personal life.
How to Deal with Chronic Fatigue?
Although CFS is not classified as a separate disease in the WHO classification system, it requires qualified medical assistance.
Diagnosis is difficult because the symptoms are non-specific and manifest comprehensively. A thorough patient examination and study of the medical history are required.
To rule out other diseases, the patient is referred for examinations and provides urine and blood samples for analysis. The concentration of Epstein-Barr virus particles, retroviruses, and cytomegaloviruses is checked (it is elevated by 2 times in CFS). A high level of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline is a sign of stress.
The main signs in diagnosis are typical symptoms: a persistent feeling of fatigue, general sluggishness and weakness, depressed mood, lack of appetite, etc.
Depending on the symptoms, the patient is referred to specialists:
Therapist (General Practitioner).
Neurologist.
Psychologist.
Immunologist.
Endocrinologist.
There is no standard treatment scheme. Therapy may include:
Prescription of vitamins, anti-inflammatory and antiviral medications, immunomodulators, and homeopathic remedies.
Massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and therapeutic exercises (physiotherapy).
Psychotherapy, and taking antidepressants.
The doctor also recommends correcting lifestyle (time management, sufficient rest) and diet.
Prognosis and Prevention of CFS
While devoting all energy and time to work, one must not ignore the body's natural needs. If this is done, the body will be able to resist diseases, stress, and other negative effects, and fatigue will not accumulate and turn into a chronic disorder. It is important to:
Eat properly, including all necessary vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the diet. It is important to consume foods rich in iron—this element is responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells. It is better to eat small portions every 2–3 hours. Sweets and fast food should be avoided—they do not replenish energy reserves but only provide a short-term burst of energy.
Plan your daily regimen, reasonably distributing the duration of work and rest. You cannot work 12–14 hours a day! It is important to set priorities: you cannot complete all the work.
Exercise—this will help stay in tone.
Sleep at least 7–8 hours at night.
Give up bad habits: smoking, alcohol.
Avoid stress and learn to resist it, regulating emotions.
CFS is not always a consequence of professional burnout. Very often, it is a signal that a pathology is developing in the body. Therefore, comprehensive diagnosis is necessary.
Diagnosis and Treatment at Expert Clinics
Anti-aging medicine doctors working at our clinic have deep knowledge and extensive experience in combating CFS. Qualified international specialists will accurately determine the causes of the disorder and prescribe a comprehensive, individually tailored treatment program. Therapy will be aimed at restoring the balance of hormones and substances important for health. You will not only feel a significant improvement in your condition but will also learn to manage it yourself, control emotions, and cope with stress.
You can schedule an appointment by calling the indicated phone number or by filling out the feedback form.
+7 (495) 154-21-44 
admin@expertclinics.ru 
Moscow, Starovolynskaya st., 12 bld. 1