The disease that affects millions of people has been named: more than just fatigue

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 3.3 million Americans suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Experts say chronic fatigue syndrome is more than just tiredness. Let’s figure out how dangerous the disease is.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report is based on a survey of 57,000 American adults in 2021 and 2022. Participants were asked whether they had ever been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome by a health care professional and whether they still had it. About 1.3 percent of respondents answered yes to both questions, which equates to about 3.3 million American adults, the CDC said.

Notably, this number is the first national estimate of how many Americans have the disease. The CDC shares the results and notes that this is more than previous studies had suggested, the Associated Press reports.

The condition is clearly “not a rare disease,” comments Dr. Elizabeth Unger of the CDC.

They found that cases were more common in women than men, and rates were higher in people aged 50-69, but people of all ages, genders, and racial and ethnic groups could be affected.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is “a complex, multisystem disease characterized by fatigue that limits activity.”

“Symptoms include extreme exhaustion after exercise and mental effort, poor sleep, memory problems, weight changes, severe emotional stress, headaches and muscle pain,” explains Eric Asher, a family medicine physician at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital. “Because the symptoms mirror many other syndromes, it can be difficult to diagnose.”

According to the CDC, three primary or core symptoms are required for diagnosis: fatigue for six months or longer combined with a significantly reduced ability to perform physical activities that were previously normal. Patients have also described a “collapse” that can leave them bedridden for days after something as simple as going to the store or taking a shower. Sleep problems, including not feeling less tired even after a full night’s sleep, are a signal for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

In addition to these core symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that to be diagnosed, patients must also experience problems with thinking and memory—sometimes described as “brain fog.”

Experts believe only a fraction of people with chronic fatigue syndrome are actually diagnosed with it, Dr. Daniel Klau told the AP.

“In the US, this diagnosis will never become clinically popular because there are no approved drugs for it. There are no treatment recommendations for this,” he said in an interview with the publication.

At the same time, doctors may suggest medications or other treatments to help manage pain and sleep problems.

“Treatment is typically symptom-focused and multidisciplinary, including yoga and stretching, massage, diet and therapy, both behavioral and physical,” said Eric Asher, a doctor of family medicine. He said the goal is to reduce stress and anxiety and promote a state of healing and mindfulness.

“Sometimes medications are also used if these other treatment options do not provide relief,” he adds. “Many patients may not be able to take antidepressants, but these medications have been shown to improve symptoms and allow suffering patients to live more fulfilling lives.”