CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder of a group of symptoms. The major symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome is an intense feeling of being tired. The tiredness may start suddenly and never stop or it may come and go. Rest and sleep do not help the fatigue. In order to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, a person must have severe chronic fatigue for 6 months or longer which is not caused by other diagnosed medical conditions and 4 or more of 8 primary symptoms along with the fatigue.

The course of chronic fatigue syndrome varies from person to person. It can affect men, women and children of all races and backgrounds. However, it is diagnosed more often in women. For most people, the symptoms level off, but may come and go later on.

The primary symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are extreme tiredness, poor short-term memory or concentration, and flu-like symptoms. The flu-like symptoms include sore throat, tender lymph nodes, pain in the muscles and joints, unrefreshing sleep, extreme fatigue after normal exercise, and headache of a new type or pattern.

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is not known. It seems to involve the central nervous and immune systems. It may be caused by several factors. The syndrome may be triggered by a virus infection, stress, environmental allergies, a poorly functioning immune system or a variety of other conditions.

It is difficult to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome because it has the same symptoms as many other illnesses. A healthcare provider will take a detailed medical history, perform a thorough physical exam, and discuss mental health history. Laboratory tests of the blood and urine are also done. The provider may consult with other specialists during the process. It is important to eliminate other causes of the symptoms. It may take months or even years to make the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

The goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms. Therapies that may be helpful include physical exercise, rehabilitation programs, and prescription or non-prescription medication. Healthcare experts agree that a person with chronic fatigue syndrome should try to maintain good health by eating a balanced diet, getting adequate rest, exercising regularly but not vigorously, and pacing yourself to decrease stress. Emotional support and counseling can help families cope with this illness.

For more information on chronic fatigue syndrome, contact The Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) Association of America by calling 800-442-3437 or visit their website at www.cfids.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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