Feeling Overwhelmingly Tired for Over Six Months? It Might be a Chronic Issue 

Too tired to get out of bed even though you have an important presentation at work? This sign may indicate that it’s not just a regular burnout. Burnouts are characterized as suffering from the unwillingness and boredom to do regular work that you’ve been doing daily. Burnouts present causes like working too hard without taking breaks, which generally happens with workaholics. 

However, there is a worst-case scenario that crosses the boundaries of burnout. It’s called CFS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Individuals suffering from its symptoms are typically asked to take fatigue panel blood tests that include panel screens for diabetes, renal or kidney diseases, liver, blood, and thyroid problems. 

Do CFS present symptoms along with the cause? 

The causes of CFS are not known, and that is why it is difficult to understand the relative reasons behind extreme exhaustion. 

Evidently, people who have suffered from a COVID infection have experienced fatigue during and post-infection. For these people, resting more makes no difference, and that makes it essential to get tested. 

Symptoms that can raise concern are unexplained bruising, weight loss, unusual bleeding, and pain that wakes you up from your sleep. 

CFS presents with a wide range of symptoms: 

• Insomnia 
• Headache 
• Depression 
• Confusion 
• Inability to concentrate 
• Forgetfulness 
• Mood swings 
• Fatigue and weakness
• Muscle and joint pain 
• Tender lymph nodes 
• Low-grade fever 
• Sensitivity to light 

How is CFS diagnosed and identified? 

The diagnosis of CFS depends on two primary criteria: 

1. If the individual presents four or more symptoms of CFS. 

2. If the tiredness is severe and persists for over six months while ruling out other medical conditions. 

At this point, your general practitioner may ask you to get a few tests done, including fatigue panel blood tests.  

Is there a difference between fatigue and tiredness? 

Fatigue can mean muscle weakness, and walking to the mailbox can feel like you ran a marathon. In fact, it may not only be movement-related. People may also experience one or a combination of fatigue mentally, physically, or emotionally. 

If you are experiencing tiredness, the good news is that you can get better. You can try to get more rest.  However, if even after resting more and sleeping soundly, you still feel like your body needs more and more rest, that’s fatigue. 

Some people have even complained that they may be having long COVID with a range of symptoms like brain fog, headaches, and muscle pain. 

A few ways to combat extreme fatigue: 

• Visit your doctor, get tested, and start with any treatment necessary as suggested by your doctor. 
• Return to normal activities but choose your priorities, and work on everything at the proper place rather than rushing yourself. 
• Eat healthily, exercise regularly, and make sleep your number priority. 

Understanding your pace and what works best for you in these times is absolutely essential. Do not let the overwhelming nature of work get to you. Remember that things can wait; you and your health are more important than so-called pressing matters that come your way. 

References:

https://www.sciencealert.com/feeling-fatigued-after-a-bout-of-covid-here-s-five-tips-on-how-to-deal-with-it

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/post-covid-fatigue-is-more-than-just-tiredness-could-it-be-like-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/articleshow/90710892.cms

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/chronic-fatigue-syndrome