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