Phases of sleep and recovery help our organism to revive its energy reserves day by day. Depending on our physical and mental condition, this regeneration process works better or worse. When the body is weakened, for example during long-lasting diseases (e.g. virus infections), the duration of the regeneration phase can sometimes increase significantly. An apparently never-ending fatigue or regeneration phase can be an indication of the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex disease characterized by severe, insuperable fatigue of at least six months. Patients usually suffer from further symptoms such as:

• headache
• throat, muscle and joint pain
• decreased concentration
• insomnia

In contrast to burnout syndrome, CFS is primarily triggered by external factors, e.g. by infectious diseases, overwork or genetic predisposition. CFS is a mild form of adrenal insufficiency. People suffering from CFS produce very few adrenal hormones (cortisol, DHEA, progesterone, insulin). All these four hormones are energy suppliers: Cortisol, for example, provides energy very quickly and DHEA makes us stress-resistant. In many cases, CFS is accompanied by neurotransmitter imbalances and a lack of vitamins. Both low hormone levels as well as low neurotransmitter activity may indicate CFS.

Verisana examines your hormonal values using a saliva test. The necessary samples can easily be taken at home. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), saliva tests are recommended in order to determine hormone values.