Fatigue

In Western medical parlance, fatigue is categorized into transient, cumulative, and circadian forms, distinguished by their respective causes, such as severe sleep restriction or misalignment with circadian rhythms. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is an especially complex condition marked by enduring, unexplained exhaustion, with some research pointing to mitochondrial dysfunction as a possible etiological factor (Maes, M., & Twisk, F. N. M., Mitochondrion, 2010).

In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) employs a more multifaceted diagnostic approach, identifying six typical patterns of disharmony related to fatigue, each accompanied by unique tongue and pulse characteristics. These patterns are Spleen Qi and Yang deficiency, Liver Qi Stagnation, Heart Blood and Yin Deficiency, Kidney Qi and Yang Deficiency, Phlegm Obstruction, Dampness Retention, and Heat Toxicity (Chen, R. et al., Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011). Both Western and TCM perspectives offer unique insights into understanding fatigue, albeit via different diagnostic and conceptual frameworks.