Diagnosis | Chronic fatigue

Diagnosis

First of all a comprehensive medical history should be collected. It should be described since when the complaints have been present and to what extent the usual activities are impaired. It is important for the doctor to know whether there are any other complaints and which other diseases are known to exist in the person concerned.

This is followed by a detailed physical examination and, as a rule, a blood test. If there is a concrete suspicion of the presence of a disease leading to fatigue, it should be investigated. If there is no indication of the presence of such a disease, a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome can be made.

Frequency distribution

The frequency of chronic fatigue cannot be determined exactly because of the numerous causes, it is assumed that about 10% of adults are affected. Patients with multiple sclerosis are affected by chronic fatigue in about 80%, and a total of about 40% of cancer patients suffer from it, although the frequency varies according to the type of cancer. The chronic fatigue syndrome affects about 300,000 people in Germany, with women between 30 and 40 years of age in particular often suffering from it.

The chronic fatigue usually manifests itself through a constant feeling of exhaustion, a constant tiredness and a quick fatigue. In addition, a reduction in performance is usually complained about, as well as increased forgetfulness and concentration disorders. In spite of the tiredness, sleep disorders are often reported, and there may also be an increased need for sleep. Chronic fatigue is often accompanied by a depressed mood. Other complaints such as fever, weight loss, joint pain, swelling of the legs or others can give indications of a cause of chronic fatigue.

Therapy of chronic fatigue

The treatment of chronic fatigue should in principle be cause-dependent. If there is a lack of sleep, it should be remedied. If the thyroid gland is underactive, the thyroid hormone should be taken regularly and iron should be taken in case of iron deficiency.

If no treatable cause can be found, there are numerous therapy options, whereby the success varies from person to person. Essentially, three strategies are used: Homeopathy can also be supportive, whereby the treatment should be carried out in consultation with a doctor or pharmacist experienced in homeopathy. When choosing the right globules, the exact description of the symptoms is crucial.

If there is a feeling of exhaustion and fatigue, Arnica, for example, can be helpful. If there is a feeling of weakness, headaches and a nervous stomach in addition to fatigue, potassium phosphoricum can help. – Activating measures are carried out, stress should be avoided and thus life can be reorganized.

  • Finally, relaxation techniques and appropriate sleep hygiene are considered success factors. – Herbal substances are also used against chronic fatigue. The aim is to increase the body’s resistance to stress and other negative factors. Plants used for this purpose include roses, taiga root and ginseng root, basil, sisandra fruits and also royal jelly.