| There are still many doctors who question the | | | | tiredness which may be related to emotional |
| validity of chronic fatigue syndrome and, among | | | | turmoil that arises either from the condition itself |
| doctors who do believe the condition exists, there | | | | or from the frustration sufferers can feel |
| is still fierce debate over whether its origins are of | | | | because of the physical exhaustion. |
| a physical or psychological nature. It is only in | | | | One of the complications that accompany this |
| recent years that the medical profession has | | | | disease is that of serious cognitive problems. |
| come to commonly recognize the condition of | | | | Processing and retention of information can |
| chronic fatigue syndrome but people who are | | | | become very difficult, creating even more |
| afflicted by the condition have been only too | | | | emotional problems for the sufferer. Often, the |
| aware of the debilitating effects for years. | | | | sufferer finds it difficult to engage in a |
| There are still many doctors who question the | | | | conversation as they struggle to focus on the |
| validity of chronic fatigue syndrome and, among | | | | words or to process those words. This problem |
| doctors who do believe the condition exists, there | | | | also extends to written word as the sufferer |
| is still fierce debate over whether its origins are of | | | | may have to read the same sentence several |
| a physical or psychological nature. This lack of | | | | times in order to process its meaning. |
| unity in medical circles leads to great confusion | | | | Memory loss, particularly short-term memory loss |
| among the public. There are still a lot of people | | | | is common among sufferers of this illness. Many |
| who believe that sufferers of this condition are | | | | describe not being able to remember |
| nothing more than malingerers. For the sufferers | | | | people’s names or the names for common |
| of this disease, this creates added stress and | | | | things. They may also find it difficult to contribute |
| confusion. | | | | to a conversation as they often forget words or |
| The sufferers of this condition experience | | | | what they are actually saying. |
| continuous physical tiredness. In fact, one of the | | | | In the past, many people with chronic fatigue |
| first symptoms is an overwhelming, incapacitating | | | | syndrome were diagnosed as having myalgic |
| tiredness but this is only one aspect of the | | | | encephalomyelitis. Encephalomyelitis is an |
| disease. This may be accompanied by aching | | | | inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and that |
| muscles. This often affects the lifestyle of the | | | | is not a characteristic of chronic fatigue syndrome |
| sufferer so much that they are unable to work | | | | so the diagnosis was incorrect. Sometimes, |
| or to take part in social activities. For some, they | | | | chronic fatigue syndrome is referred to as |
| become totally incapacitated. | | | | postviral fatigue syndrome as it often follows viral |
| It is quite common for a normally healthy person | | | | infections. |
| who generally leads an active life, to one day | | | | The real cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is |
| wake up with what they believe is a case of | | | | unknown. What is known is that it generally |
| influenza characterized by a sore throat, swollen | | | | follows a viral infection or, more often, a series of |
| glands, headache and fever. He or she is too tired | | | | infections. |
| to even get out of bed. Obviously, the first | | | | It is important for the sufferer to follow a healthy |
| thoughts are that they have the flu but, when | | | | diet in order for the recovery from this condition. |
| weeks pass without the symptoms going away, it | | | | It is also important to look after the health of the |
| is a sign of chronic fatigue syndrome. | | | | mind as well as the body. Time and rest are the |
| A lot of people who suffer from chronic fatigue | | | | only real treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome. |
| syndrome also experience severe mental | | | | |