Fatigue screen at Plymouth Hospital

More information about buying a fatigue screen can be found on our FAQs page.

Fatigue or lack of energy is a common health complaint. Since the symptoms of fatigue may be a result of many other conditions, it can be difficult to diagnose.  Around 20% of people claim to have fatigue severe enough to interfere with normal day to day activity.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is an illness of unknown cause. It may be caused by a post viral infection with damage to the immune system. Some people develop the condition after Glandular Fever or exposure to toxins (organophosphates as used by farmers to ‘dip’ sheep). The illness often follows a chest and gastric infection where there has not been a full recovery. The major symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome is a severe and debilitating muscle fatigue following exertion. Women between the ages of 30 – 40 are more commonly affected, although young children and the elderly can also develop CFS.

In many cases CFS improves with rest, although often not to the previous level of ability. Twenty-five percent of CFS patients become chronically ill over a number of years with a marked reduction in ability.