Why do I feel so tired and drained all the time?

If you constantly feel tired and drained, you may be suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. Read on to find out if this is what's happening to you.

CFS is a neurological disease causing intense and constant fatigue. It's impossible to recover from it by simply napping or getting a good night's sleep.

Its origin is unknown, but it often occurs after a viral infection. It seems to target the immune system. Women are usually more prone to it than men. This syndrome can attack at any age. A CFS diagnosis comes after ruling out all other possible causes of chronic fatigue using medical tests. If nothing is found, then the symptoms must be examined.

1. Unexplained persistent fatigue lasting more than six months;
2. Fatigue that is abnormally high after a physical or mental activity;
3. Fever;
4. Sleep disorders;
5. Severe muscle pain and weakness;
6. Headaches;
7. Sore throat;
8. Frequent urination;
9. Problems with memory or concentration;
10. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS);
11. Difficulty standing;
12. Sudden drop in blood pressure.

Since its origin is unknown, not only is it impossible to prevent disease, there is no consensus among the medical community regarding its treatment. The most common practice is to treat the symptoms in order to reduce their impact on the patients' lives.

One theory is to adapt to the disease by minimizing physical activities to reduce fatigue. On the other hand, some individuals believe physical activity should be progressively increased to reverse the effects of this disease. But all agree that individuals suffering need to be very health-conscious, starting with a balanced diet and improved sleep routines.

There are also medications that can be prescribed to relieve some of the symptoms, which include pain, dizziness and cognitive impairment.

1. Burnout;
2. Depression;
3. Fibromyalgia;
4. Hypertension (low blood pressure);
5. Viral mononucleosis;
6. Hyperthyroidism;
7. Irritable Bowel Syndrome;
8. Cancer;
9. Anemia;
10. Infectious diseases;
11. Autoimmune diseases.

The best way to know where your fatigue is coming from is to keep an eye on the other symptoms listed above, and then consult your doctor. If sleep, rest and exercise fail to reduce your fatigue, there is a chance that you could be suffering from one of the other ailments causing persistent fatigue and exhaustion.As with many diseases, an early diagnosis greatly improves your chances for a full and speedy recovery from CFS.