Struggling to sleep even when you’re tired could be the result much more than a bad night, according to one GP
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a complex and long-term condition that can severely impact a person’s daily life. However, it can be hard to diagnose as the symptoms often overlap and mimic a range of other issues like general burnout or sleep disorders.
There’s no single way of treating CFS, it’s all individually tailored to each person’s symptoms according to the NHS so getting a speedy diagnosis is vital to address the issues impacting your daily life. Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, highlighted the few signs that set CFS apart.
He said: “While burnout and CFS share some common symptoms, they can also be incredibly different. Understanding the contrasts can allow people to identify chronic fatigue more effectively.
“Typically, feelings of burnout are brought on through excessive stress, almost always tied to a particular event such as work. Burnout can be treated through rest and addressing the issues that cause overwhelming stress.
“On the other hand, CFS is a long-term condition that isn’t relieved through sleep, recovery or addressing potential stressors. Instead, the body can feel like it’s run a marathon, even after the smallest of tasks. While burnout is generally psychological, CFS can impact the body on a physical level.”
Certain things can also increase your risk of CFS or worsen the symptoms such as menopause, mental health issues, long coronavirus>Covid and other viral infections. But the biggest contributor is usually sleep issues like insomnia or not being able to keep a consistent sleep schedule that provides seven to nine hours of rest each night.
The GP continued: “Other signs of CFS include changes to cognitive function such as difficulty with memory, concentration or general brain fog.
“It’s also common for people with CFS to feel worn out after completing simple tasks, while also experiencing joint and muscle pain, without necessarily putting their bodies through any physical exertion.”
Many people may experience one or two of these symptoms from time to time, or even suffer with burnout and general fatigue. But the GP urged people to speak openly about these issues to their doctor as there’s no specific way to diagnose CFS at the moment and highlighting your symptoms can lead to a quicker and more accurate diagnosis.
He continued: “GPs will generally ask about lifestyle habits and potential stressors while assessing prior medical history to identify potential causes of decreasing energy levels. Like the diagnosis process, there’s no specific way to treat CFS.
“Instead, doctors will trial a few different approaches. This includes cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and incorporating methods for energy management into people’s daily routines.
“Also, as CFS can impact sleep or physical pain, a GP might prescribe medications that can target and lower the intensity of these symptoms. Overall, I believe CFS can be complicated to identify, for both medical professionals and potential sufferers. However, by understanding the tell-tale signs and how it differs from burnout or general tiredness, spotting CFS can be made so much easier.”
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