Winter Brings Threat of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

      December 09, 2011 07:40

      Women wrap up against the freezing cold in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on Thursday. /Newsis

      Many people feel depressed and tired now that the days are getting shorter and the temperatures plummet.

      But if fatigue persists for over a month despite a long rest, the problem could be chronic fatigue, a state of lethargy that makes it difficult to perform daily activities or tasks that require concentration. If this goes on for more than six months, the reason could be chronic fatigue syndrome.

      CFS causes an imbalance of hormones and weakens the immune system, which leads to reduced ability to concentrate and remember, sleep disorder, headache, muscle ache, stomach ache, eating disorder, depression, anxiety, and cold feet and hands. It affects every aspect of people's lives.

      According to the Heath Insurance Review and Assessment Service, there were 100,000 people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome as of 2008. The symptoms worsen when the weather gets cold. In the past, the major causes were physical ailments, but the syndrome has become more complicated with the increase in psychological problems and stress.

      Depression has similar symptoms to CFS, but depression can also be one of the factors that cause it. When stress becomes chronic, it is very difficult to overcome and sometimes develops into CFS.

      Song Sang-wook, professor at the Catholic University of Korea St. Vincent Hospital, said, "It's hard to tease out what causes CFS, and it's very difficult to cure it when the symptoms persist for a long time. It's important to differentiate between depression and CFS, and find a way to manage stress as well as seeking experts' help. But when symptoms emerge and persist, patients need to seek professional diagnosis and treatment."

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