Many of us lead fast-paced lives that leave us exhausted and depleted of energy, which is perfectly normal. Less common are the exhaustion and lack of energy that come with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Distinguishing the difference between the fatigue that comes with everyday life and that which stems from a far more serious problem — chronic fatigue syndrome — can be tricky, which is where our expertise comes in.

Who is affected by chronic fatigue syndrome

Most people are diagnosed with ME/CFS between the ages of 40 and 60, but it can affect people of all ages. ME/CFS is more common in women and among white people, but these statistics may be influenced by a lack of proper diagnoses among other ethnic and racial groups.

Fatigue and so much more

To help you better understand ME/CFS, let’s first start with the hallmark of the illness — fatigue. As we mentioned, everyone can feel fatigued from time to time. You may even experience weeks or months of seemingly endless exhaustion during particularly busy periods in your life.

The fatigue that stems from ME/CFS, however, is altogether different as it can interfere with your ability to function on even a minimal level. Most people with ME/CFS experience fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.

The level of this fatigue can be different, but many people find that even walking down the street is too much effort and some are confined to their beds because of the illness. One in four people with ME/CFS is confined to their beds or houses for long stretches.

Post-exertional malaise
These home or bed confinements often come on the heels of either physical or mental exertions that lead to post-exertional malaise (PEM). During PEM, extreme fatigue may be accompanied by:

Cognitive difficulties
Sleep issues
Headaches
Dizziness
Sore throat
These symptoms can last for days, weeks, or even months.

Other symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
Outside of the symptoms that come with PEM, chronic fatigue syndrome can also come with:

Joint and muscle pain
Digestive issues
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills and sweats
It’s important to note that ME/CFS affects people in different ways and to different degrees, which makes seeking our help key.

Treating ME/CFS

Since there’s no identifiable cause for ME/CFS, there’s no single cure. That said, we’ve had great success restoring quality of life through nutritional replenishment, detoxification, hormone balancing, and lifestyle changes.