Getting Older And Me/cfs
There is very little information on getting older and ME/CFS, however people can develop ME/CFS at any age. Additionally, all of the strategies such as pacing to reduce PEM and managing symptoms still apply. As people age, other problems with their health may also arise, so discussing any new symptoms with their doctor important.
Diagnosis And Treatment For Me/cfs
Currently, there is no single test to diagnose ME/CFS. Doctors make a diagnosis by excluding all other illnesses that might be causing symptoms and following accepted diagnostic criteria. The persons results from routine medical tests will often be normal, but additional tests may show abnormalities.
Is Your Fatigue A Symptom Of Cancer
Brandi Jones MSN-Ed, RN-BC is a board-certified registered nurse who owns Brandi Jones LLC, where she writes health and wellness blogs, articles, and education. She lives with her husband and springer spaniel and enjoys camping and tapping into her creativity in her downtime.
Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Could your fatigue be the first symptom of cancer? At one point or another, we have all experienced fatigue. For most of us, it is temporary, usually caused by stress, illness, or burnout.
For some, fatigue can become persistent and disrupt their daily life. When fatigue becomes frequent, it is natural to be concerned about what may be causing it.
Cancer is one of the first things many people think of when experiencing fatigue. They may wonder if cancer is the culprit.
This article reviews what cancer fatigue is, what causes it, how its diagnosed, and when to see a healthcare provider.
Fatigue on its own, without other symptoms, is uncommon with most cancers, However, it can be the first symptom of leukemias and lymphoma.
You May Like: Does Ocular Myasthenia Gravis Cause Fatigue
What Else Causes Fatigue
Some lifestyle habits can make you feel tired. Here are some things that may be draining your energy:
- Staying up too late. A good night’s sleep is important to feeling refreshed and energetic. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
- Having too much caffeine. Drinking caffeinated drinks like soda, tea, or coffee late in the day can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. Limit the amount of caffeine you have during the day and avoid it in the evening.
- Drinking too much alcohol.Alcohol changes the way you think and act. It may also interact with your medicines.
- Eating junk food. Say “no thanks” to food with empty calories, like fried foods and sweets, which have few nutrients and are high in fat and sugars. Choose nutritious foods to get the energy you need to do the things you enjoy.
- Getting too little or too much exercise. Regular exercise can boost your energy levels, but dont overdo it.
Guidelines For Diagnosing Me/cfs
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence say doctors should consider diagnosing ME/CFS if a patient has extreme tiredness that cannot be explained by other causes and the tiredness:
- started recently, has lasted a long time, or keeps coming back
- means you cannot do the things you used to do
- gets worse after activity or gentle exercise, such as a short walk
You must also have some of these symptoms:
- problems sleeping, such as insomnia
- muscle or joint pain
- fast or irregular heartbeats
- doing exercise or concentrating makes your symptoms worse
The GP should consult a specialist if they’re unsure about the diagnosis or if you have severe symptoms.
If a child or young person under 18 has symptoms of possible ME/CFS, they may be referred to a paediatrician.
As the symptoms of ME/CFS are similar to those of many common illnesses that usually get better on their own, a diagnosis of ME/CFS may be considered if you do not get better as quickly as expected.
The diagnosis should be confirmed by a doctor after other conditions have been ruled out, and if your symptoms have lasted at least 3 months.
Page last reviewed: 29 October 2021 Next review due: 29 October 2024
Don’t Miss: How To Manage Fatigue With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Fatigue’s Impact On Chronic Illnesses
Between 40% and 74% percent of patients with chronic diseases suffer from fatigue. Although all chronic diseases consist of different variations of symptoms and limitations, the experience of fatigue is usually similar across illnesses. Many patients reported fatigue as one of the most disabling aspects of their disease.
Even though it is true that many individuals with chronic illnesses are affected by peripheral fatigue, however, central fatigue most commonly abides in every chronic disease. Central fatigue implies abnormalities in neurotransmitters within the central nervous system.In addition, it plays a significant role in chronic inflammatory conditions.
Inflammation is associated with almost every ailment this includes cancers, autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis , inflammatory bowel diseases , arthritis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome , psychiatric disorder, and CFS.
Chronic inflammatory conditions are associated with large amounts of inflammation within the body. Inflammation is suspected to be a possible link to fatigue and mood disorders such as depression because they both present high inflammatory markers and often coexist.
When examining fatigue across five different chronic illnesses , researchers “found that fatigue was characterized by severe energy depletion.”
Lifestyle Changes Can Help Those With Chronic Illnesses
For those with chronic illnesses, lifestyle interventions, like physical activity and healthy sleep hygiene can help with fatigue symptoms.
Pharmaceuticals prescribed for the condition may help with fatigue by treating the symptoms of the disease. However, It is also possible for the medication to cause fatigue.
When patients complain of fatigue, it is often disregarded. Although it significantly impacts an individual’s daily functioning, physicians’ ultimate goal is to treat the illness itself, causing fatigue to fade into the background.
Chronic fatigue is “misunderstood and inadequately acknowledged” by outside parties. It can be difficult for others to recognize the anguish that chronic fatigue is causing someone.
Read Also: The Difference Between Fatigue And Tired
How Is Me/cfs Diagnosed
There’s no single test to detect ME/CFS. A diagnosis is made after other possible known causes for symptoms have been excluded.
The earlier the illness is recognised, the sooner you can get help to manage your symptoms. Many people with ME/CFS find it helps to keep a diary of their symptoms so that they can take this to their GP or specialist.
Your GP will usually:
- do a physical and mental examination to rule out other conditions
- ask about recent travel, tick or insect bites, unusual infections, and drug and alcohol use
- review current medication
They may be able to make a diagnosis after 3 or 4 months of seeing a pattern of symptoms. Anyone suspected of having ME/CFS should be considered for routine blood tests to identify other possible illnesses. More investigation may be needed if the diagnosis remains in doubt.
Some people with ME/CFS also have another long-term condition and it’s important that you talk to your GP about how to manage the symptoms of the 2 conditions.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms In Children And Adolescents
Children exhibit symptoms of ME/CFS similarly to adults, with a few exceptions:
- Increased likelihood of dizziness when standing. Also called orthostatic intolerance, this symptom tends to be the worst in children and adolescents and exacerbates other symptoms.
- Headache and stomachache. Rather than experiencing muscle weakness or pain, children report increased headaches and stomach pains.
- Sleep problems. These include daytime sleepiness, difficulty falling or staying asleep, and vivid dreams.
Also Check: Best Blood Tests For Fatigue
What Else Should I Know
Having chronic fatigue syndrome can be hard. But for most people, the symptoms are most severe in the beginning. Later, they may come and go. Teens with CFS generally get better faster and recover more completely than adults do. Most teens get partial or full recovery within 5 years after symptoms began.
Many new and experimental treatments for CFS are available. But don’t use any unproven treatments until checking with your doctor.
CFS is a misunderstood illness. But scientists continue to learn about it through research and clinical trials. They’re trying to better understand its symptoms and causes in kids and teens.
Good medical care and coping techniques are the keys to helping your child manage chronic fatigue syndrome. You can find more information and support online at:
Pacing Activity For People With Me/cfs
Pacing, or keeping within your available energy, is a self-management strategy to help people with ME/CFS make sure that they dont overdo activity or exercise. It reduces the likelihood of triggering PEM and can help reduce symptoms. Pacing is not a cure for ME/CFS and does not treat the underlying, physical cause of the disease.
The goal of pacing is for activity to be sustainable, so that the person can have some stability in their symptoms and what they can do each day. Pacing should be used in conjunction with rest.
The most challenging aspect of pacing is that PEM is very often delayed by as much as 24-48 hours, which can make it difficult to recognise when youve done too much. Using tools like an activity diary or heart rate monitor help you learn about your body and how much activity you can safely tolerate.
Suggestions on how to pace yourself include:
Don’t Miss: Vitamins For Low Energy And Fatigue
What Are The Symptoms/warning Signs Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
In order to be diagnosed with CFS a patient must satisfy two criteria. Severe chronic fatigue must have lasted at least six months with other known medical conditions excluded by clinical diagnoses. Also, a person must concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration sore throat tender lymph nodes muscle pain multi-joint pain without swelling or redness headaches of a new type, pattern or severity unrefreshing sleep and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours. The symptoms must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months and must not have predated the fatigue.
Is There Any Treatment
There is currently no cure for CFS. The therapies for this disorder are directed at symptom relief. It is important to maintain good health by eating a balanced diet and getting adequate rest, exercising regularly without causing more fatigue, and pacing oneself because too much stress can aggravate the symptoms of CFS. Working with a physician to develop a program that provides the greatest benefits also will help in reducing frustration with the illness.
Non-pharmacological therapies include acupuncture, aquatic therapy, chiropractic, cranial-sacral, light exercise, massage, self-hypnosis, stretching, tai chi, therapeutic touch and yoga. Certain psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy also have shown promise for facilitating patient coping and for alleviating some of the distress associated with CFS.
In pharmacological therapy there is a variety of medications that can relieve specific symptoms. It is important to begin with low doses and to escalate the dosage gradually as necessary.
Some CFS patients may also find it therapeutic to meet with other people who have this illness, and this can be accomplished by joining a local CFS support group. Support groups are not appropriate for everyone, and may actually add to their stress rather than relieving it.
You May Like: Does Smoking Weed Cause Fatigue
Do I Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Unfortunately, reaching a diagnosis can be a complicated and long process for many patients. Because it shares so many symptoms with other conditions, its diagnosed by ruling out similar diseases. However, there is a path to diagnosis.
As HealthLine notes, to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, you must have at least four major symptoms. In addition: You also must have severe, unexplained fatigue that cant be cured with bed rest. The fatigue and other symptoms must last for six months or longer.
You may have chronic fatigue syndrome if:
- You have severe, unexplained fatigue that is severely impacting your quality of life
- Youre suffering from a combination of post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive impairments, or symptoms that worsen when you stand upright
- Your symptoms rule out another similar condition, like fibromyalgia or Lyme disease
- These symptoms have lasted for six months or more
You may also be more likely to have CFS if youre a middle-aged woman. According to some sources, chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed four times more often in women than men.
However, many believe that chronic fatigue syndrome is seriously under-reported and under-diagnosed. You should always talk to your doctor or a pain specialist if you believe that youre suffering from this condition.
Stress Mental And Emotional Changes
Having cancer can cause stress, sleeping problems, moodiness, and depression. Stress by itself can cause emotional, mental, and physical fatigue.
Both cancer itself and stress can cause dysregulation of cortisol. Increased levels of cortisol put your body in a high-alert state. This burns a lot of energy and can lead to mental and emotional changes and sleeping problems which all lead to fatigue.
You May Like: Best Protein Powder For Adrenal Fatigue
What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Chronic fatigue syndrome , also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis , is a chronic , complex and disabling illness that causes extreme fatigue and other symptoms that cannot be explained by any other medical condition.
If you have ME/CFS, you are likely to feel very tired, very often, even if you have not been active. You may also have a host of other symptoms.
Doctors do not yet understand the cause of ME/CFS, and there is no simple cure. If you or your child has ME/CFS, your doctor can suggest treatments you may find helpful.
When To See A Healthcare Provider
Sometimes asking for help or taking good care of yourself can help you overcome fatigue. If you are still fatigued after eating well, resting, getting mild exercise, managing stress, and getting plenty of hydration, its best to talk with your healthcare provider.
- Fatigue not relieved by self-care
- Fatigue that affects your daily life, job, or relationships
- Memory problems, confusion, or brain fog
- Fatigue so severe that you cant get out of bed
- Severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
Read Also: What Is The Meaning Of Fatigue
What Is Cancer Fatigue
Defining the type of fatigue that could be a cancer symptom or treatment is essential. Cancer fatigue isn’t ordinary tiredness. It’s not usually the kind of sleepiness you can push through by getting a good night or with a cup of coffee.
People describe this type of fatigue as “whole-body tiredness.” It’s also something that often disrupts life. People become frustrated at their inability to participate in everyday activities and find their tiredness impacts their jobs and relationships.
Talk To Your Doctor About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
If you suspect you may have ME/CFS, consult your doctor. You might keep an activity log or health journal to note changes in your wellbeing and help your physician understand your situation. With the aid of your physician, you can eliminate other possible causes of your fatigue. Then, together you can develop a plan for treatment and relief of symptoms.
- Was this article helpful?
Don’t Miss: What Can Cause Extreme Tiredness And Fatigue
The Utility Of Case Definitions And Diagnoses
A study comparing the prognosis of different diagnostic labels of fatigue found that patients with ME had the worst prognosis while patients with postviral fatigue syndrome had the best. This could mean that the patients destined to the worst prognosis were labelled with the ME diagnosis, or it might be explained as an adverse effect of being labelled with ME. The authors found no significant difference in recorded fatigue before the diagnosis of CFS and ME, and the data in this retrospective study supported the hypothesis of the labelling effect. Another study found that patients who attributed their fatigue to ME were more fatigued and more handicapped in relation to home, work, social and private leisure activities than patients who attributed their fatigue to psychological or social factors.
How Can Parents Help
To help your child cope with the emotional symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome:
- Encourage your child to keep a daily diary to identify times when they have the most energy and help plan activities for these times.
- Help your child to recognize and express feelings, such as sadness, anger, and frustration. It’s OK to grieve the loss of energy.
- Get support from family and friends because emotional health is important when coping with a chronic health problem.
- Allow more time for your child to do things, or break down activities into smaller steps, especially activities that take concentration or physical effort.
- Work with your childs teachers and school administrators to adjust their workload so that it fits within the limits of what your child can tolerate.
You May Like: Best Medicine For Depression And Fatigue
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
Most people diagnosed with ME/CFS were functioning at a normal level prior to their diagnosis. The arrival of ME/CFS is often abrupt and sometimes follows a stressful medical or psychological event.
The core symptoms of ME/CFS are:
- Severe, continued fatigue even after rest. This fatigue reduces the ability to perform typical daily activities
- Worsened fatigue after mental or physical activity.
- Sleep problems, which may include difficulty falling or staying asleep.
People with ME/CFS also experience one or both of the following:
- Difficulty with memory, thinking, or concentrating. Patients may struggle to recall information or experience brain fog or foggy thinking.
- Increased symptoms when standing or sitting up. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness can happen upon standing or sitting upright.
Additional symptoms may include:
- Depression, especially if symptoms worsen
