Symptom 7: Chronic Fatigue: The Energy Drain of Marfan Syndrome
Living with Marfan syndrome often entails grappling with chronic fatigue. It is a pervasive exhaustion that no amount of rest seems to erase. It’s like the body is constantly operating on an energy deficit, as if treading water endlessly with no land in sight. The relentless fatigue is not just the physical body’s response to battling the many symptoms and complications of the syndrome, it can also stem from various related factors.
For one, the body is constantly engaged in tissue repair and adaptation due to the underlying genetic defect. Consider a city constantly under construction, where the work never ceases. This unending tissue repair and adaptation require energy, which may contribute to the persistent sense of tiredness.
Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, are common in Marfan syndrome patients. Picture a restive night where sleep is constantly interrupted, leaving one feeling drained even after a full night’s rest. This lack of restorative sleep can contribute to excessive daytime tiredness, another piece in the puzzle of chronic fatigue in Marfan syndrome.
In addition, cardiovascular abnormalities commonly associated with Marfan syndrome can also play a part in contributing to fatigue. With the heart and blood vessels under constant stress due to structural defects, efficient oxygen and nutrient supply to the body’s cells can be compromised. This inefficient circulation is like a faulty supply chain, unable to meet the body’s energy demands, leading to feelings of exhaustion.
The mental and emotional strain of living with a chronic disorder should not be overlooked either. Dealing with Marfan syndrome involves constant medical appointments, symptom management, lifestyle modifications, and the psychological impact of a lifelong disorder. This continuous mental and emotional engagement can further drain energy, adding to the chronic fatigue.
Chronic fatigue in Marfan syndrome serves as a reminder of the complex web that this disorder weaves, an interconnected system where a single thread tugged leads to a cascade of impacts. (7)
