| Over one million people in the United States suffer | | | | more likely to develop it than men. It usually |
| from chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue | | | | strikes people between the ages of 40 and 50 |
| syndrome is a debilitating disease that is | | | | but has been diagnosed in some children and |
| characterized by overwhelming fatigue that is not | | | | teenagers. It is believed that less than 20 percent |
| made better by rest. It is made worse by | | | | of CFS suffers have been diagnosed correctly. |
| exercise and mental activity. Most people who | | | | There continues to be much research done to |
| suffer from this syndrome find they are no | | | | determine the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. |
| longer able to function at the activity level they | | | | There is no known cure for the syndrome. It is |
| were able to prior to developing this illness. The | | | | believed that the longer diagnosis is delayed the |
| specific causes are unknown and there are no | | | | poorer the outcome. Treatment is aimed at |
| test to diagnosis it. Since many of the symptoms | | | | relieving the symptoms thru drugs and therapies. |
| of seem to overlap, a series of tests must be | | | | Patients must make many lifestyle changes in |
| run to rule out other possible causes. | | | | order to find what level of activity they can |
| In order to receive a diagnosis of chronic fatigue | | | | tolerate. Reducing stress, dietary changes and mild |
| syndrome a person must meet the following | | | | stretching appear to help some patients. |
| criteria: | | | | Medication to promote sleep is often prescribed. |
| Chronic fatigue that lasts for over 6 months | | | | Recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome differs |
| that cannot be attributed to any other illness. | | | | with each patient. Some patients remain home |
| At least four of the following symptoms: | | | | bound. Others recover to the point that they are |
| - Substantial impairment in short-term memory or | | | | able to return to work and lead a normal life |
| concentration; sore throat; tender lymph nodes; | | | | again, although they continue to have some |
| muscle pain; multi-joint pain without swelling or | | | | symptoms. It is unclear how many patients |
| redness; headaches of a new type, pattern or | | | | actually recover but estimates are about 40 |
| severity; unrefreshing sleep; and malaise following | | | | percent. Full recovery is rare and estimates are |
| exertion lasting more than 24 hours. | | | | that only about 5-10 percent of patients are |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome affects people of all | | | | symptom free. |
| ages, gender and race. Women are four times | | | | |