Chronic fatigue

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also called chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is a long-term condition that can affect different parts of the body. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness. The cause of ME/CFS is unknown.

Chronic fatigue can affect anyone, including children.

Symptoms of ME/CFS

The 4 main symptoms of ME/CFS are:

• feeling extremely tired all the time (fatigue), which can make daily activities like taking a shower, or going to work or school, difficult
• sleep problems, including insomnia, sleeping too much, feeling like you have not slept properly and feeling exhausted or stiff when you wake up
• problems with thinking, concentration and memory (brain fog)
• symptoms getting worse after physical or mental activity, and possibly taking weeks to get better (also called post-exertional malaise, or PEM)

Some people with ME/CFS may also have pain in different parts of the body or flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, headache and aching joints or muscles.

The symptoms of ME/CFS are similar to the symptoms of some other illnesses, so it’s important to see a GP to get a correct diagnosis.

Treating chronic fatigue (ME/CFS)

While there’s currently no cure for ME/CFS, there are treatments that may help you manage the condition and relieve the symptoms. If you suspect poor sleep may be the cause of your fatigue, click here for our comprehensive sleep guide

Treatments include:

• energy management – where you’re given advice about how to make best use of the energy you have without making your symptoms worse
• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• medicine to control symptoms such as pain and sleeping problems

People with ME/CFS will need to adapt their daily routine and pattern of activities on a long-term basis. There may be periods when your symptoms get better or worse.