Chronic fatigue

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Source: Chronic fatigue syndrome: A review (Balachander et al.) 2014.[1]

Chronic fatigue (CF) is a symptom that can be caused many diseases, illnesses and medications. Chronic fatigue is common in a large number of illnesses including multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue means the patient experiences significant and long-term fatigue, which may or may not have a known medical explanation. It should be distinguished from the disease called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), of which chronic fatigue is only one of many symptoms.[2] The two terms are not interchangeable. Wikipedia contains separate pages for each.

Chronic fatigue vs. Chronic fatigue syndrome and Idiopathic Chronic Fatigue[edit | edit source]

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a distinct neurological disease, and is not the same as chronic fatigue, or long-term fatigue with no known cause (ICF).
Source: Son, C-G (2019). Differential diagnosis between “chronic fatigue” and “chronic fatigue syndrome”. Integrative Medicine Research, 8(2), 89-91. Suggested algorithm for chronic fatigue, ICF and CFS. License: CC-BY-ND-NC.

Dr. Jarred Younger explains chronic fatigue and begins by stating "Fatigue is not a disease and it is not even a symptom. So fatigue is a alarm system and the most general alarm system the body has."[3] Webinar with Jarred Younger, Ph.D. (Video starts with quote @6:04 and Younger discusses fatigue until @7:54)

Idiopathic chronic fatigue (ICF) refers to medically unexplained chronic fatigue lasting at least 6 months that does not meet the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, for example post-exertional malaise (PEM) may be mild or non-existent, and orthostatic intolerance or cognitive impairment may not be present.[2]

Examples of incorrect usage[edit | edit source]

In these examples the disease chronic fatigue syndrome is erroneously referred to using the name of only one of the many symptoms involved, chronic fatigue. Chronic fatigue is a symptom, not a disease.

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

  • 2019, Differential diagnosis between “chronic fatigue” and “chronic fatigue syndrome”[2] (Full source)

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Singh, Shubh Mohan; Sarkar, Siddharth; Rao, Pradyumna; Balachander, Srinivas (July 1, 2014). "Chronic fatigue syndrome: A review". Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil University. 7 (4): 415. doi:10.4103/0975-2870.135252. ISSN 0975-2870.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Son, Chang-Gue (June 2019). "Differential diagnosis between "chronic fatigue" and "chronic fatigue syndrome"". Integrative medicine research. 8 (2): 89–91. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2019.04.005. ISSN 2213-4220. PMID 31193269.
  3. Younger, Jarred (May 20, 2016). "Webinar with Jarred Younger, Ph.D." YouTube. SolveCFS. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  4. Hodgekiss, Anna (February 11, 2015). "Chronic fatigue IS 'a real and serious disease', say doctors". Mail Online. Retrieved September 10, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  5. Spencer, Ben (February 9, 2016). "People with chronic fatigue are 6 times more likely to commit suicide". Mail Online. Retrieved September 10, 2018. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  6. Yang, Xiu Hong; Zhang, Bao Long; Gu, Yan Hong; Zhan, Xiao Li; Guo, Li Li; Jin, Hui Min (2018). "Association of sleep disorders, chronic pain, and fatigue with survival in patients with chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis of clinical trials". Sleep Medicine. 51: 59–65. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2018.06.020. ISSN 1389-9457.
  7. Sigurdsson MD, Alex F. (November 8, 2017). "19 Important Causes of Fatigue - Tiredness and Chronic Fatigue Explained". www.docsopinion.com. Retrieved January 30, 2019. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  8. Klimas, Nancy (June 21, 2014). "ME/CFS Diagnosis and Name with Dr. Nancy Klimas". YouTube. ME/CFS Community. Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)