Chronic fatigue - Harmony Hormone Care

What is chronic fatigue?

Chronic fatigue, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID), is a complex, long-term illness characterized by extreme and persistent fatigue that is not improved by rest and worsens with physical or mental activity. This fatigue significantly interferes with daily activities and quality of life.

Some key facts about chronic fatigue:

• It is estimated to affect up to 2.5 million Americans
• The cause is unknown but may involve infections, immune dysfunction, stress, or other factors
• There is no definitive diagnostic test - it is diagnosed based on ruling out other conditions
• Symptoms may fluctuate in severity and include fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, sleep issues, and cognitive dysfunction

"I was so exhausted I could barely get out of bed. Simple tasks like making dinner would wipe me out for days with chronic fatigue."

While there is no cure, treatments aim to alleviate symptoms. These may include:

• Pacing activities to avoid post-exertional malaise
• Prescription medications for pain, sleep, etc
• Dietary changes
• Stress reduction techniques
• Graded exercise therapy (get moving slowly)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (change thought patterns)

New research is emerging on the potential role of hormonal imbalances in ME/CFS. If you struggle with persistent exhaustion, it may be worth getting your hormone levels tested at clinics like Harmony Hormone Care. Their knowledgeable doctors can provide cutting-edge hormone treatments tailored to your needs.

I hope this overview on chronic fatigue helps provide some clarity on this challenging illness! Let me know if you have any other questions.