Wednesday, November 4, 2026
On Dunsmuir Street in Downtown Vancouver. Spring of 2020.
Dunsmuir Street is a major east-west street in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, running through the heart of the city’s central business district. It stretches from Burrard Street in the west to Cambie Street in the east, where it transitions into Dunsmuir Viaduct, connecting to Prior Street and the Georgia Viaduct. Dunsmuir Street is a key arterial route, parallel to other prominent downtown streets like Georgia Street to the north and Robson Street to the south.
Dunsmuir Street is named after Robert Dunsmuir, a prominent 19th-century Scottish-Canadian coal magnate and politician who played a significant role in British Columbia’s industrial history, particularly through his development of coal mines on Vancouver Island and his involvement in the construction of the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway.
Dunsmuir Street was established as part of Vancouver’s early grid system in the late 19th century, a period when the city was rapidly growing due to the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1887. The street’s naming reflects the influence of figures like Robert Dunsmuir, whose wealth and political clout shaped much of BC’s early economic landscape.
Over the decades, Dunsmuir Street evolved from a relatively modest thoroughfare into a central artery in Vancouver’s downtown core. By the mid-20th century, it was surrounded by commercial buildings, and by the late 20th century, it became a hub for office towers, cultural institutions, and transit connections, reflecting Vancouver’s growth into a major metropolitan center.
The City of Vancouver has been working on a project to improve Dunsmuir and Melville Streets, focusing on the stretch between Hornby Street and the Coal Harbour Seawall. This initiative, part of the Downtown Bike Network Expansion, aims to make the area safer and more accessible for walking, biking, and rolling (e.g., using wheelchairs or scooters). Public engagement for this project concluded on October 6, 2024, with the city collecting feedback through surveys and in-person events. An engagement summary was expected to be released in late 2024 or early 2025, which should now be available as of May 2025. Construction is slated to begin in 2026, indicating that preparatory work, such as final design approvals, might be underway now. The upgrades will enhance connectivity between key routes, improving access to the Coal Harbour Seawall, a popular recreational area along the waterfront.
Dunsmuir Street is home to several notable buildings, including Bentall Centre (near Burrard Street). It’s a complex of office towers that houses major corporations and is a focal point for business activity. 500 Dunsmuir Street is associated with the Holborn Group of Companies, a real estate firm. The building itself is likely a commercial property, reflecting the street’s role in Vancouver’s business district. Dunsmuir Street is close to cultural landmarks like the Vancouver Art Gallery (on Georgia Street, just north of Dunsmuir) and public spaces like Robson Square, accessible via nearby streets. The Hyatt Regency Hotel is located near Burrard and Dunsmuir, making the area a hub for tourists as well as locals. Retail options, such as those at The Bay store on Granville Street (accessible via Dunsmuir), also contribute to the street’s vibrancy.
Dunsmuir Street is a busy route for vehicular traffic, particularly during rush hours, as it serves as a primary east-west corridor for commuters heading to or from the central business district. The ongoing Dunsmuir/Melville Street upgrades highlight the city’s focus on improving cycling infrastructure. Dunsmuir Street already has a protected bike lane for much of its length, a feature introduced in 2010 as part of Vancouver’s push to become a bike-friendly city. The 2026 upgrades will likely enhance these facilities further. In addition to SkyTrain stations, Dunsmuir Street is served by multiple bus routes, and its proximity to the Granville transit mall (on Granville Street) makes it a key node for public transit users.
The planned upgrades starting in 2026 will likely cause temporary disruptions on Dunsmuir Street, such as lane closures or detours, but the long-term benefits include improved safety and accessibility for all users. Vancouver’s focus on sustainable transit and walkable streets suggests that Dunsmuir Street will continue to evolve into a more eco-friendly corridor, potentially with features like expanded bike lanes, more greenery, and better integration with public transit. As downtown Vancouver grows, Dunsmuir Street may see increased development, such as new high-rises or mixed-use projects, though the city’s emphasis on preserving views and public spaces will likely temper this growth.
Dunsmuir Street’s viaduct section, the Dunsmuir Viaduct, has been a point of contention in Vancouver’s urban planning debates. Some city planners and residents have advocated for its removal (along with the Georgia Viaduct) to reclaim land for parks or housing, a proposal that gained traction in the 2010s and 2020s. As of May 2025, no final decision has been widely publicized, but this could be a future change to watch for.
Dunsmuir Street is a vital part of Vancouver’s downtown core, blending historical significance with modern urban functionality. It’s a hub for business, transit, and cultural activity, and the ongoing upgrades (set to begin in 2026) will enhance its role as a pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly corridor. Its proximity to landmarks like the Bentall Centre, SkyTrain stations, and the Coal Harbour Seawall makes it a central artery in the city’s daily life.
Monday, November 2, 2026
Chronic fatigue syndrome: Symptoms, treatment, and causes
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| https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/184802 |
Chronic fatigue syndrome — also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) OR systemic exertional intolerance disease (SEID)— is a serious, chronic illness that can cause pain and extreme fatigue.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that up to 3.3 million people in the United States have ME/CFS, most of whom do not have a diagnosis.
In the past, some people did not believe that ME/CFS was a real illness. However, experts have started to take it more seriously in recent years, and research is underway to find out why it happens and how to treat it.
Lifestyle strategies and medical treatment may help people manage some of the symptoms.
Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
ME/CFS is a complex condition that can affect a range of bodily systems and functions.
Many of the possible symptoms resemble those of other conditions, making ME/CFS hard to diagnose.
The symptoms of ME/CFS can vary widely, but there are three core symptoms:
Reduced ability to function
A person with ME/CFS experiences fatigue that interferes with their ability to carry out daily tasks.
The fatigue:
- is severe
- does not improve with rest
- is not due to activity
- was not previously present
For a diagnosis of ME/CFS, this fatigue and the resulting decrease in activity levels must last 6 months or longer.
Post-exertional malaise
A person with post-exertional malaise (PEM) will experience a “crash” after physical or mental exertion.
During times of PEM, they may have new or worsening symptoms that include:
- difficulty thinking
- difficulty sleeping
- a sore throat
- headaches
- dizziness
- tiredness
Following an event that triggers PEM, the person may be unable to leave the house, get out of bed, or do regular chores for several days or even weeks. The symptoms tend to become worse 12 to 48 hours after the exertion.
The trigger will depend on the individual. For some people, even having a shower or going to the grocery store can trigger PEM.
Sleep disorders
A range of sleep disorders can occur with ME/CFS. The person may feel very sleepy but be unable to sleep or not feel refreshed after sleeping. They may experience:
- intense and vivid dreaming
- restless legs
- nighttime muscle spasms
- sleep apnea
Other key symptoms
As well as the three core symptoms above, one of the following two symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of ME/CFS, according to the CDC.
Problems with thinking and memory: People may experience “brain fog“, which includes problems with:
- making decisions
- focusing on details
- thinking quickly
- remembering things
Dizziness when standing up: When the person moves from lying on their back to sitting or standing, they may experience:
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- faintness
- vision changes, such as blurred vision or seeing spots
Other possible symptoms
Pain is a common symptom. A person with ME/CFS will often experience pain or discomfort that does not stem from an injury or other identifiable cause.
Common types of pain include:
- muscle aches and pains
- joint pain without redness or swelling
- headaches
The person may also experience:
- tenderness in the lymph nodes, especially the neck or armpits
- gastrointestinal problems
- chills and night sweats
- allergies to food
- sensitivity to light, touch, heat, or cold
- muscle weakness
- shortness of breath
- irregular heartbeat
- irritability and mood changes
- anxiety or panic attacks
- numbness, tingling, and burning in the hands, feet, and face
- eye pain
- a low grade fever
- vision problems
In addition, the American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society (AMMES) notes that other possible symptoms include:
- muscle twitching
- rashes
- canker sores
- depression
- high stress levels
- saying words incorrectly
- tinnitus
- extreme symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- lack of sex drive or sexual impotence
- hair loss
- unexplained weight changes
- chest pain
- seizures
- paralysis
- spatial disorientation
- difficulty walking
- difficulty moving the tongue to form words
Causes and risk factors of chronic fatigue syndrome
Experts do not know what causes ME/CFS, but some people with the condition say that it started after another health issue, such as:
- a flu-like illness
- a stomach bug or other infection
- the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, commonly known as “mono”
- extreme physical stress, for example, surgery
There is growing evidence of a link between ME/CFS and the way the immune system works, but more research is necessary to establish the mechanism behind this.
According to the Office on Women’s Health, females are two to four times more likely than males to experience ME/CFS. The condition can also affect children, although this is less common.
Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome
The symptoms of ME/CFS vary widely and can resemble those of other conditions, which can make it difficult to diagnose.
If a person seeks medical help for ME/CFS, a doctor will likely begin the diagnostic process by:
- asking about the person’s symptoms
- carrying out a physical examination
- recommending tests to try to identify the cause of any symptoms
To receive a diagnosis of ME/CFS, a person must have the three core symptoms of the condition for 6 months or longer. In addition, the doctor must be unable to find another explanation for the symptoms.
It can take time to eliminate other possible causes of ME/CFS symptoms, but there is no specific test that can identify the condition.
In 2018, researchers found that the levels of some molecules appeared to change when people had ME/CFS. One day, this may help make it easier to diagnose ME/CFS, but more studies are necessary before this can happen.
In 2019, another research team announced that they had made further progress in developing a test. The test focused on certain features of blood cells and electrical activity in people with ME/CFS.
In the past, many doctors did not believe that ME/CFS was a real disease, but major health organizations now recognize it.
Where to find support
Various advocacy groups, including Solve M.E., are working to promote awareness of ME/CFS and empower people with the condition to persist in getting a diagnosis.
The AMMES list other advocacy groups on their website, provide useful resources, and explain where people can get support.
Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome
There is currently no cure or treatment specific to ME/CFS, but a doctor may work with individuals to help them manage the symptoms. The treatment plan will vary among individuals, as ME/CFS affects people differently.
However, it may involve:
- focusing on whichever symptom poses the greatest challenge
- alleviating pain
- learning new ways to manage activities
Managing PEM
One way to manage fatigue after activity is through pacing or activity management.
The person will work with a doctor to determine the best way to balance rest and activity. The doctor will also help them identify their personal triggers and establish how much exertion they can tolerate.
Sleep
ME/CFS causes fatigue and can also disrupt sleep. A doctor will encourage the person to establish healthy sleeping habits, such as a regular sleep schedule.
If these strategies do not help, the doctor may prescribe medication.
Pain
At first, a doctor may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for headaches and other types of pain. If these do not work, they may prescribe stronger medication.
A person with ME/CFS may be sensitive to various chemicals. Therefore, they should speak with a doctor before using any new medication.
Nondrug therapies that may help include:
- gentle stretching and toning exercises
- gentle massage
- heat therapy
- water therapy
Anxiety and depression
Anxiety and depression are common among people with ME/CFS. Antidepressant drugs may help some people, but they can sometimes make symptoms worse.
Lifestyle remedies that may help include:
- relaxation techniques
- massage
- deep breathing
- gentle exercise, such as tai chi or yoga
Experimental medicines
Some laboratory research has investigated the potential action of rituximab (Rituxan), a cancer drug that targets certain cells in the immune system, for treating ME/CFS.
However, more research is necessary to ensure that the drug is safe to use in the treatment of this condition.
Lifestyle strategies for managing chronic fatigue syndrome
Various strategies can help people manage ME/CFS.
These include:
- finding a doctor who understands the condition
- seeking a counselor who can help manage the emotional and practical challenges
- making family and friends aware of the symptoms and challenges
- scheduling rest and activity times to maximize quality of life
- using calendars and journals to help with memory lapses
- learning which relaxation techniques are effective for them
- following a balanced and nutritious diet
- taking nutritional supplements if tests reveal a deficiency
- finding someone to help with child care and household chores at difficult times, if possible
What about exercise?
Gentle stretching, yoga, and tai chi might be helpful in some cases, and at the right time, but vigorous exercise can make symptoms worse.
The CDC notes that exercise plans that benefit many people with chronic diseases are not usually suitable for people with ME/CFS, and they may be dangerous.
People with symptoms or a diagnosis of ME/CFS should not follow any type of activity plan without discussing it with their doctor first.
Can I live a normal life with CFS?
ME/CFS affects people differently and can impact lives in different ways. People with mild ME/CFS may be able to go to work or school and function well in other areas of life, although they may need to plan their activities carefully and schedule plenty of rest.
People with moderate ME/CFS may have difficulty performing daily tasks and attending work or school. Those with severe impairment may need to use a wheelchair or spend a lot of time in bed. They will likely need help with daily activities. People may have severe impairment for months or even years.
What foods should I avoid with chronic fatigue?
There is no research to suggest that limiting certain foods helps with CFS. However, if people have symptoms of irritable bowel at the same time, they can try to:
- eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
- avoid sugary foods and refined grains, such as white bread and pasta
- choose slow-release carbohydrates, such as brown rice, oats, and starchy vegetables
- drink plenty of water or unsweetened beverages
- avoid alcohol
- cut out junk food
Summary
ME/CFS is a life changing condition that can affect every aspect of a person’s daily life.
It can take time to get a diagnosis, as the symptoms are not specific but overlap with those of other conditions. Whether or not a person has a diagnosis, lifestyle strategies can help them manage the challenges.
Until scientists find a specific treatment, coping strategies will play a key role in managing ME/CFS.
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Friday, October 30, 2026
Fatigue and Weakness With CFS: Why Rest Doesn't Help | CFS Recovery
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| https://cfsrecovery.com/symptoms/fatigue-weakness/ |
You're tired in a way that sleep doesn't fix. You wake up after 10 or 12 hours and feel like you haven't rested at all. Your muscles feel heavy, weak, like they've forgotten how to work. Walking to the kitchen feels like a workout. And no matter how much you rest, the exhaustion doesn't budge.
This isn't laziness. This isn't "just being tired." What you're experiencing has a real explanation, and it's one of the most common things people with CFS deal with every single day.
Your nervous system may be stuck in overdrive, and your muscles may have deconditioned on top of that. Both of these are commonly reversible.
What Does CFS Fatigue Actually Feel Like?
CFS fatigue is a deep, persistent exhaustion that doesn't improve with rest or sleep. It's one of the defining features of ME/CFS, reported by virtually 100% of people with the condition. It's also one of the most common symptoms in long COVID, fibromyalgia, and other nervous system conditions. But calling it "fatigue" barely scratches the surface of what it actually feels like.
It's not the tiredness you feel after a long day. It's the kind of exhaustion where your body feels like it's running through wet concrete. Your legs feel like they weigh twice what they should. Your arms struggle to lift a glass of water. Getting out of bed takes every ounce of willpower you have, and by the time you're standing, you already need to sit back down.
On top of the fatigue, there's the weakness. Your muscles feel like they've lost their strength. Tasks that used to be automatic now require conscious effort. Climbing stairs, carrying groceries, even holding your phone up: these things feel disproportionately hard.
The specifics vary person to person, but the pattern is consistent:
- Exhaustion that doesn't improve with sleep or rest
- Muscles that feel heavy, weak, or "jelly-like"
- Feeling physically drained after minimal activity
- Waking up feeling as tired (or more tired) than when you went to sleep
- Difficulty doing things that used to be effortless
- A "wired but tired" feeling where your body is exhausted but your mind won't shut off
If your blood tests come back normal and your doctors say nothing is wrong, that's actually useful information. It suggests the issue may be functional rather than structural. The nervous system could be what's keeping you stuck.
Why Fatigue and Weakness Happen With CFS
The fatigue and weakness you're feeling aren't random. They make perfect sense when you understand what's happening inside your body.
There are actually two things going on at the same time. The first is the nervous system piece. The second is physical deconditioning. Most people only focus on one. Understanding both is what changes things.
The nervous system piece
When your nervous system gets stuck in a chronic stress response (fight-or-flight mode), your body runs on adrenaline. It's like leaving the engine running 24/7. Your body is burning fuel constantly, even when you're lying still. That's why you feel exhausted even though you haven't done anything. Your body is working overtime behind the scenes, running stress responses, scanning for threats, keeping everything on high alert.
Research has documented that autonomic nervous system dysfunction is a consistent finding in ME/CFS. The system that's supposed to toggle between "active" and "rest" gets stuck in "active." That constant activation drains your energy reserves.
The deconditioning piece
On top of the nervous system fatigue, there's a physical reality: when you don't use your muscles, they weaken. It's called deconditioning, and it happens faster than most people realize. Studies show that healthy, active people can lose 25-30% of muscle strength after just two weeks of inactivity. If you've been stuck in bed or on the couch for months, significant muscle loss has occurred.
Picture this: if you put a cast on your arm for three months and then took it off, that arm would look and feel completely different from the other one. Not because something is wrong with the arm, but because muscles need regular use to maintain their strength. "Use it or lose it" is real.
1 The nervous system gets stuck in overdrive
Your body runs on adrenaline 24/7. Even lying still, your system is burning through energy reserves. You feel exhausted because your body is constantly in stress mode.
2 Inactivity leads to muscle deconditioning
Because you're too tired to move, your muscles start to weaken. The less you use them, the more they atrophy. Simple tasks start requiring more effort.
3 Weakness creates more fear and avoidance
Feeling weak is scary. It makes you want to rest more. But more rest means more deconditioning, which means more weakness. The spiral feeds itself.
4 The cycle reinforces both problems
The nervous system stays activated because you're stressed about the weakness. The muscles keep declining because you're not using them. Breaking this cycle requires addressing both pieces.
This is important to understand because it means the weakness you feel isn't all from CFS itself. A significant chunk of it is from the muscles not being used. And that part is very fixable.
CFS Fatigue vs. Normal Tiredness
Everyone gets tired. But CFS fatigue is fundamentally different from the tiredness healthy people experience. Here's how to tell the difference:
Normal Tiredness
Has a clear cause (long day, bad sleep, exercise), Improves after a good night of sleep, You can push through it with effort, Proportional to effort (more activity = more tired), Muscles feel tired but functional, Energy returns within a day or two of rest, Blood tests may show low iron, thyroid issues, etc.
CFS Fatigue
Often appears without an obvious trigger, Persists even after 10-12+ hours of sleep, Pushing through causes crashes that last days, Disproportionate (minimal effort = massive exhaustion), Muscles feel heavy, weak, or like "jelly", Rest doesn't restore energy. Can persist for weeks or months, Standard blood tests typically come back normal
If your experience matches the right column, that's a strong signal that your nervous system is involved. And that's actually hopeful, because nervous system patterns can change.
What Makes Fatigue and Weakness Worse
Fatigue fluctuates. Some days are more manageable than others. Understanding what drives the worst days helps you recognize the pattern instead of feeling blindsided by it.
Too much rest. This sounds counterintuitive, but it's one of the biggest traps. When you rest all day every day, your muscles continue to decondition. You lose more strength. And the weaker you get, the more effort simple tasks require, which makes the fatigue feel even worse. Rest is important, but too much of it feeds the downward spiral.
Pushing too hard. The opposite extreme is just as damaging. If you have a "good day" and try to do everything you've been missing, you'll often crash hard afterward. That crash reinforces fear and drives you back to resting, which starts the deconditioning cycle again.
Stress and fear about the fatigue. Worrying about why you're so tired, wondering if you'll ever feel normal, analyzing every symptom: all of these thoughts activate the nervous system further. More activation means more energy drain. The fatigue itself becomes a stressor that makes the fatigue worse.
Poor sleep quality. Even if you're sleeping 10+ hours, the quality of that sleep matters. When the nervous system is activated, sleep tends to be light and unrefreshing. You spend hours in bed without getting the deep, restorative sleep your body needs.
Running on adrenaline. Some people feel "wired but tired." Their body is exhausted, but their mind is racing. That's adrenaline. The nervous system keeps pumping stress hormones even when the body is depleted. This creates a cycle where you can't rest properly but also can't function properly.
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