| Even with researchers looking into the causes of | | | | though MRI's are very useful they would be of no |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for sometime now. A | | | | use to a patient with CFS because the tests |
| cause has not yet been found. It was thought | | | | would not show anything. |
| that CFS was caused by infection but there is not | | | | The differences between a teen with depression |
| enough medical proof to say for sure. The 2 | | | | and a teen with CFS are very distinctive. A teen |
| most effected types of people are those from | | | | with CFS still wants to continue their daily |
| 15 to 20 years of age and 33 to 45; two thirds | | | | activities while a teen with depression strays |
| of sufferers are woman. Even though these are | | | | away from normal daily activities and being |
| the most common ages effected by CFS many | | | | around friends and or people in general. For teens |
| groups and societies can be effected as well. | | | | with CFS attending school can be very challenging. |
| Some sufferers of CFS are never diagnosed. | | | | But schools are working very hard to |
| People with CFS report having disabling tiredness | | | | accommodate any disabilities a teen may suffer |
| that seems very severe and occurs after | | | | from. Thus for they offer shorter classes and |
| physical and or mental activities. Some may | | | | more time for assignments. Counseling and |
| relieve this fatigue by resting and others wake up | | | | support groups can help teens with the difficulties |
| feeling exhausted even after a full nights rest. | | | | of CFS and this is not just limited to the sufferer |
| Teens who suffer from CFS report muscle aches | | | | but their family too. |
| and pains some report difficulty with memory, | | | | Some Ideas to ease symptoms of CFS… |
| concentration also many complain of severe | | | | Try to get involved in some everyday activities, |
| stomach pains. Other symptoms teens may feel | | | | having a normal early to bed early to rise sleep |
| include: Having low physical and or mental activity. | | | | schedule. Teens should avoid High physical and or |
| Some pay suffer from Sore throat, tender | | | | mental stress. Teens with CFS should continue to |
| Lymph glands, headaches, dizziness and some | | | | be around friends and family and have a social life |
| may become sensitive to certain foods, smells | | | | so they do not begin to think they are left out |
| (cigarette smoke), bright lights and alcohol. CFS is | | | | and or different then others. Teens with CFS |
| known to last from 3 years or even up to 5 but | | | | should avoid smoking and or being around second |
| others may be ILL for much longer. There is not | | | | hand smoke. As a parent you should try to make |
| just one sign that can tell a doctor they're teen | | | | sure your teen has a nourishing and healthy diet. |
| patient is suffering from Chronic fatigue | | | | Someone suffering from CFS doesn't always look |
| Syndrome. Many patients with CFS have been | | | | sick so others may not know or understand |
| misdiagnosed or thought to have had other | | | | what's wrong. Finding Literature for family and |
| disorders such as Thyroid disorder, eating | | | | friends may help them understand and support |
| disorders, cancer, depression, and kidney disease. | | | | CFS sufferers. Becoming educated can always be |
| These other disorders must be eliminated from | | | | helpful and supportive of the sufferer and make |
| the diagnoses before CFS can be diagnosed. Blood | | | | them feel more comfortable and excepting of this |
| and concentration tests may be done. Even | | | | disorder until a cure is reached. |