| Copyright (c) 2008 Hailey Harris | | | | |
| | | | Current statistics tell us that approximately |
| Chances are you have heard of Chronic Fatigue | | | | one million people in the United States alone |
| but like most people, understanding this | | | | struggle with the symptoms associated with |
| condition can be a bit confusing. Over the | | | | Chronic Fatigue. Unfortunately, the number |
| years, information about Chronic Fatigue has | | | | of occurrences is well beyond that of ovarian |
| increased with a number of efforts made to | | | | or lung cancer and MS. Because the numbers |
| educate the public about something very | | | | continue to rise, significant money has been |
| debilitating. Since 1994, experts | | | | poured into research to better understand |
| researching Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have | | | | Chronic Fatigue so a cure can be found. Even |
| worked hard to define the symptoms so a | | | | so, the number of women with Chronic Fatigue |
| proper diagnosis would be possible. | | | | is four times greater than with men. In |
| | | | addition, for some reason, this syndrome |
| The results from years of research include | | | | strikes individuals in their 40s and 50s. |
| two firm criteria for having Chronic Fatigue. | | | | While some cases of Chronic Fatigue have been |
| | | | confirmed in children, it is rare although |
| 1.The individual would have for or more of | | | | teenagers are at higher risk than the younger |
| the defined symptoms, which include, | | | | children are. |
| difficulty with concentration, sore lymph | | | | |
| nodes, joint and muscle pain, swelling within | | | | You will also discover that Chronic Fatigue |
| the joints, headache, problems sleeping, sore | | | | Syndrome does not care about race or ethics, |
| throat, and fatigue after any type of | | | | hitting all groups much the same with the |
| physical exertion lasting 24 hours or more. | | | | exception that the Hispanic and African |
| | | | American populations have the lowest number |
| 2.A person would have severe symptoms for a | | | | of diagnosed cases. Interestingly, it is |
| minimum of six months, coupled with other | | | | relatively common for more than one member of |
| diagnoses medical conditions. | | | | a family to develop Chronic Fatigue, leading |
| | | | some researchers to think some type of |
| The key in diagnosing Chronic Fatigue | | | | genetic link may factor in. Although |
| Syndrome is that symptoms have to be | | | | tremendous research is still needed to fully |
| recurring for six months or longer. Fatigue | | | | understand this condition, we have seen some |
| with this condition is far beyond the normal | | | | remarkable advances over the years, providing |
| feeling of being tired that most people | | | | hope that in the near future, a cure could be |
| experience. With Chronic Fatigue, the level | | | | developed. |
| of fatigue is almost unexplainable, as if a | | | | |
| wash has come over the person making normal | | | | If you suffer from any of the symptoms noted |
| function difficult, if not impossible. In | | | | and have concern that you might be living |
| addition to the abovementioned symptoms, | | | | with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it is vital |
| people living with Chronic Fatigue have | | | | that you talk to your doctor for a confirmed |
| reported several other symptoms. For | | | | diagnosis. Although frustrating, with |
| example, intolerance to alcohol consumption, | | | | medical help, you can find relief to live a |
| diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, and night sweats | | | | more normal life. Rather than just deal with |
| are just a few. Additionally, a large number | | | | the symptoms associated with this condition, |
| of people suffer from some level of | | | | you need to take action so you can regain |
| depression simply because the syndrome is so | | | | control over your life. |
| consuming. | | | | |