| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is usually | | | | the condition can hang on for so long in some |
| associated with fibromyalgia syndrome. Chronic | | | | people. |
| fatigue is sometimes described as a flu-like | | | | CFS is thought to be linked to: |
| condition that can literally drain you of energy. It | | | | · An imbalance of hormones. |
| can be short-term but if it is associated with | | | | · Lack of exercise or physical activities. |
| fibromyalgia it can last for years. Chronic fatigue is | | | | · Adrenal gland dysfunction/exhaustion. |
| characterized by prolonged, debilitating fatigue that | | | | · A diet that is too high in sugar (the |
| is typically severe enough to affect one or more | | | | average American eats over 50lbs of sugar a |
| aspects of a person's life; such as work, home, | | | | year) and/or possibly too high in carbohydrates. |
| school or social life. | | | | · Anemia (being low or deficient in iron) |
| Typically, people affected with CFS will trudge | | | | · Environmental allergies |
| through their day at work or school, but when it | | | | · Mononucleosis |
| comes to their home or social life, the condition | | | | · Low blood sugar |
| gets the best of them and they nix any thought | | | | · B-12 deficiency |
| of working around the house or going out socially. | | | | There are more, but these seem to be the more |
| Like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome can | | | | common theories. |
| affect any age and it typically affects women | | | | Typically, CFS is diagnosed by exclusion of all |
| much more so than men. This disorder does not | | | | other illnesses, just like fibromyalgia (which includes |
| improve with bed rest and can worsen with | | | | thyroid conditions, autoimmune disorders, |
| physical or mental activity. There is no clear cause | | | | depression, certain cancers, MS, etc.). This means |
| of what happens in our bodies to trigger this | | | | that when all other conditions or illnesses are ruled |
| response, just like there is no clear reason why | | | | out, CFS is the remaining diagnosis. |