Chronic Sickness: Deadly Emotional Silence

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a neurological disorder that causes ongoing muscle weakness and fatigue, which is not alleviated by rest and is not related to exercise. Other symptoms may be present as well, and the patient must have been experiencing chronic fatigue for a period of six months or more. According to Col. (Phor.) Assoc. Vibhavadi Hospital, some patients may even have post-influenza symptoms, but the disease is caused by an imbalance in the immune system, endocrine system, and neurological system. Therefore, the World Health Organization has classified CFS as a neurodegenerative disorder.

Approximately 3,000 people per 100,000 population have been estimated to have the syndrome. According to the US National Health Organization, more than 1,000,000 Americans have the disease, while in the UK it is estimated to affect around 250,000 people, mostly between the ages of 40-50. In ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, the numbers of people affected are 151,953, 158,532, 8,003, and 119,238 respectively.

Chronic fatigue syndrome can affect individuals regardless of their gender, age, or race; however, it is more prevalent in women than men. The highest prevalence is seen in those aged between 40-50 who may have a family history of the condition. Despite this, chronic fatigue syndrome is not contagious.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with a variety of systemic diseases, such as muscle and joint pain, short attention span, and other symptoms that may include muscle weakness, sensitivity, difficulty changing positions quickly, indigestion, depression and abnormal body immunity, heart and lung problems, etc. According to Assoc. Prof. Samart, the onset of the disease is often sudden, with symptoms such as flu-like muscle aches. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States has established criteria for diagnosing this disease that must include symptoms of fatigue that occur unrelated to exertion, impairing daily activities, and not improving with rest. This includes having at least four of the following symptoms for at least six months: lack of concentration, memory loss, short attention span, muscle aches after exercise, feeling that the body and brain are exhausted, insomnia, muscle pain, multiple joint pain, severe headaches, persistent sore throat, pain in the lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, chills and night sweats, chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent cough, blurred vision, allergic or sensitive reactions to food, alcohol, smells, chemicals, medications, or sounds, as well as fainting, dizziness, depression, and unstable mood when standing for a long time.

If patients experience these symptoms, they may report a decreased ability to perform activities, especially complex tasks, which is similar to people with other chronic diseases such as late-stage AIDS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These conditions may affect work more than some diseases such as heart failure and diabetes, in which about two in three patients will work less if they rest; however, the symptoms may temporarily improve but not return to the same level as before. Additionally, the patient's intelligence may decline due to the condition, leading to changes in memory and reflexes. As a result, it may take longer to comprehend tasks, which can cause a decrease in work performance, as well as a reduction in cognitive, speaking, language, and reasoning abilities.

Though chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating condition, its exact cause is still unknown and therefore, no effective treatment has been found to cure it. As such, only 5% of patients have a chance to be cured through symptomatic treatment, such as dietary interventions, physical therapy, supplementation, antidepressants, the use of immune modifiers, and sleeping pills, but the results are still far from satisfactory.

People with chronic conditions should take care of themselves in order to maintain their health. Eating a balanced diet, getting enough rest and engaging in moderate exercise can help prevent further exhaustion. It is also important to learn how to manage stress and be mindful of one's own emotions. Finally, surrounding oneself with positive people and engaging in activities that encourage each other is the best preventative medicine; this can keep one away from diseases that have no cure, but can severely impair one's health in Thai society.