You might think chronic fatigue is all about being tired. But there are other signs, signs you might not expect. Symptoms you might want to watch for. Don’t ignore chronic fatigue symptoms – you need to know what you’re dealing with.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), ME/CFS, and systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID). And just about every symptom that may eventually turn out to be chronic fatigue could also turn out to be something else.
1. Weak Muscles
You know what your muscles feel like normally, and you know what they feel like when you’ve been working them. Do they feel more tired, weaker than they should? Do they feel heavy? Muscle weakness has a number of possible causes – chronic fatigue syndrome is only one of them.
2. Brain Fog
Brain fog is described as the feeling of being stuck in a mental fog. It includes problems with memory and an inability to concentrate or focus your thinking. And it can be a major issue for those with chronic fatigue syndrome. Life becomes even more difficult at a time when the ability to plan and organize are most needed. Don’t ignore chronic fatigue symptoms like these. Even if it isn’t chronic fatigue, it’s something, and it matters.
3. Sleep Problems
Sleep problems are part of the core diagnosis of chronic fatigue.
- Insomnia indicates the amount of sleep you’re getting isn’t enough. You may have trouble getting to sleep, or you wake up during the night.
- Unrefreshing sleep indicates the quality of sleep is lacking. So even if you sleep a long time, you still wake up tired – unrefreshed.
4. Orthostatic Intolerance
This condition causes you to become dizzy or lightheaded when you stand or even just sit up. You may feel faint or have blurry vision – you may feel like your “head is swimming.”
5. Symptoms of Infection
Some sufferers develop symptoms that would also point to an infection, such as:
- A sore throat that comes and goes,
- Swollen or tender lymph nodes,
- Muscle aches and pains,
- Joint pain,
- Chills,
- Night sweats,
- Headaches.
Conclusion
Don’t ignore chronic fatigue symptoms. Whether or not you turn out to have chronic fatigue, it can only help you to get an early start on treatment.
