A general practitioner (GP) has warned those who often feel tired to be alert to two danger signs that could indicate a serious and debilitating illness.
While feeling tired for certain periods is usually not a concern, if it persists for several weeks or more, you should seek medical help, warns Dr. Dr. Milli Raizada, an NHS doctor specialising in hormonal health.
It is also essential to see a doctor if fatigue occurs after light physical activity, such as climbing stairs or a yoga class – a phenomenon known as fatigue after physical exertion (post-exertional malaise).
Both of these are signs of illness. chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgia encephalomyelitis (ME), according to Dr. Raizada.
This condition, which affects around 250,000 people in the United Kingdom, characterized by severe sleep problems, difficulty thinking, concentrating, and memory.
Many patients find it almost impossible to lead a normal life, as symptoms limit their ability to work and perform daily activities.
But according to Royal College of Surgeons, only 10 percent of those suffering from this condition receive a diagnosis.
This may be because some of the key symptoms are often overlooked, says Dr. Raizada.
“Prolonged and persistent fatigue for more than six months meets the diagnostic criteria for CFS/ME, but even fatigue that persists for several weeks should not be ignored,” she said about HuffPost UK – GazetaExpress reports.
“An early evaluation and blood tests can help identify or rule out possible causes.”
Other symptoms of this disease – which has also affected the comedian Miranda hart – may include cognitive difficulties, as problems with memory and concentration.
“Muscle or joint pain, unexplained headaches, dizziness, or heart palpitations” may also accompany fatigue.
The same applies to "frequent sore throats or swollen glands, suggesting a malfunction of the immune system", added Dr. Raizada.
How is chronic fatigue syndrome treated?
There is no cure for CFS, but doctors can use some medications to treat symptoms, including antidepressants, physiotherapy and counselling.
The NHS stresses that energy management can be one of the most effective treatments, providing guidance on how to best utilize available energy without worsening symptoms.
Miranda Hart's story with chronic fatigue syndrome
Last year, the actress and comedian Miranda hart told about her struggle 30 years with chronic fatigue syndrome, which left him lying in bed and without joy in life.
Initially, she was misdiagnosed with agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), but later learned that untreated Lyme disease was developed in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME).
In her autobiography, Miranda said she struggled to cope. scary neurological symptoms, which began when she was alone 14 years old.
She explained that her condition worsened significantly in the 40s, along with an increase in fatigue.
Recalling the moment she received her diagnosis, she said:
"I closed my laptop after that Zoom call and just stood there silent, shocked."
"I felt a mix of emotions – I was shocked, but I also felt a deep sadness and disappointment."
“For more than three decades, I HAD KNOWN something was wrong.”
“I remember all the times I told different doctors: 'I feel like I'm being poisoned,' or 'It's like having the flu every day, but without the fever.'”
"(It's incredible how the body can sometimes tell us exactly what's going on.)
"I felt anger about the times when I was told I must have agoraphobia.
"I tried to treat it as such, when in fact it was the lack of energy and extreme sensitivity to light and noise that made me collapse when I went outside or tried to be part of any activity or lively environment." /Express newspaper/
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