| Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a very | | | | fatigue syndrome at this time, however. |
| difficult disorder to diagnose in adults and | | | | One of the most commonly prescribed activities |
| teenagers. The primary symptom associated with | | | | for patients is moderate, steady exercise. |
| chronic fatigue syndrome is extreme fatigue, | | | | Teenagers with chronic fatigue syndrome need to |
| which does not improve even with extended | | | | monitor their daily activity carefully because they |
| periods of rest. Though Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | need to walk a fine line between staying active |
| is one that is now widely accepted by | | | | and not overexerting themselves with sports. |
| researchers and doctors as being a legitimate | | | | Your doctor can help you to create an activity |
| illness, the exact cause of it is still unknown. | | | | plan that will keep your body moving without |
| Symptoms | | | | exhausting you. |
| Despite the fact that researchers have not been | | | | Depression is a common diagnosis in teenagers |
| able to pinpoint an exact reason for the | | | | and adults who have chronic fatigue syndrome. If |
| development of chronic fatigue syndrome, there | | | | you or your child is suffering from depression, |
| are some symptoms that are generally | | | | your doctor may prescribe some medication for |
| associated with this condition. Aside from fatigue | | | | you to help relieve those symptoms. Behavioral |
| itself, the following symptoms are usually present | | | | therapy is often used in conjunction with |
| in teens and adults who suffer from CFS: | | | | medication so that patients can learn how to |
| - Headache | | | | identify negative behaviors or activities that may |
| - Lack of concentration or focus | | | | be inhibiting their treatment process. |
| - Memory loss | | | | Your teen may also be treated for symptoms of |
| - Muscle pain that is unexplained | | | | pain with acetaminophen or non-steroidal |
| - Lymph nodes in the neck or armpits become | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. In |
| enlarged or painful | | | | addition, they might also need to be treated for |
| - Restless sleep, or unrefreshing sleep | | | | allergies, low blood pressure, anxiety, or dizziness. |
| - Joint pain with no swelling or redness | | | | Alternative Treatments |
| - Sore throat In addition to the symptoms listed | | | | Many people who are diagnosed with chronic |
| above, there are a wide variety of other | | | | fatigue syndrome seek alternative treatments in |
| symptoms that are sometimes present in adults | | | | an effort to find relief from this debilitating |
| and teens who suffer from chronic fatigue | | | | disease. Ginseng is considered to be one of the |
| syndrome. These symptoms are not part of the | | | | most effective natural treatments for CFS |
| official definition of the disorder because they do | | | | because it enhances cellular immune function. |
| not manifest themselves in every patient with | | | | Ginseng helps to increase energy and reduce |
| CFS. | | | | feelings of fatigue, and it has proven to be |
| - Nausea | | | | successful in research studies of patients with |
| - Chills | | | | CFS. |
| - Night sweats | | | | L-carnitine levels are usually decreased in people |
| - Chest pain | | | | with CFS, and lowered levels of this amino acid |
| - Abdominal pain | | | | can lead to exhaustion and muscle pain. Taking an |
| - Diarrhea | | | | L-carnitine supplement has helped many patients |
| - Weight gain or loss | | | | to find some relief from their symptoms. In |
| How CFS is Treated | | | | addition, patients with CFS have also shown |
| Doctors generally use a combination of different | | | | improvement when taking CoQ10, an antioxidant |
| treatments in an attempt to provide some relief | | | | that is found naturally in our cells. |
| for patients. There is no absolute cure for chronic | | | | |