| There is significant concern about Chronic Fatigue | | | | many of its symptoms are symptoms of other |
| Syndrome, also known as CFS. In fact, there are | | | | illnesses. This is why many doctors like to see |
| criteria patients must meet in order to be | | | | patients with the same symptoms that began |
| diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. | | | | after the fatigue for at least six months before |
| Receiving the diagnosis may be difficult for some | | | | giving a diagnosis. Obviously, sufferers of Chronic |
| patients because the guidelines for diagnosing are | | | | Fatigue Syndrome find the lack of an early |
| very specific. The fatigue must have been | | | | diagnosis difficult to bear on top of their |
| present at least six consecutive months and the | | | | symptoms. However, doctors like to rule out |
| corresponding symptoms must have developed | | | | diseases like Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis, as well |
| after the fatigue. A clear definition of Chronic | | | | as other diseases, before diagnosing Chronic |
| Fatigue Syndrome, its symptoms, and treatment | | | | Fatigue. |
| options will help sufferers get a clearer | | | | Additionally, researchers and doctors are |
| understanding of the syndrome. | | | | becoming more aware of Chronic Fatigue |
| What is Chronic Fatigue? | | | | Syndrome and are more likely to make an earlier |
| The basic definition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | diagnosis based on fewer symptoms than ever |
| does not make sufferers feel much better. The | | | | before. That is not to say that Chronic Fatigue |
| syndrome is unexplained and is marked by | | | | Syndrome is easy to diagnose, because it is not. |
| weakness, fatigue, muscle pain, lethargy, trouble | | | | However increased awareness and new definitions |
| sleeping, and even fever and swollen lymph nodes. | | | | are helping doctors and patients of Chronic Fatigue |
| There is no known cause for the fatigue that is | | | | each and every day. |
| present in an individual that has no relation to | | | | Treatment Options |
| over-exertion and is not rectified by rest. | | | | The treatment options for Chronic Fatigue |
| Symptoms | | | | Syndrome are varied and include alternative as |
| Some of the symptoms associated with Chronic | | | | well as prescription alternatives. |
| Fatigue Syndrome have been discussed. However, | | | | Some of the alternative care management |
| there is a very long list. There are a variety of | | | | options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome include |
| symptoms that patients are very aware of and | | | | avoiding stress and undertaking light exercise. |
| then there are other symptoms only doctors | | | | Other treatment options that work for some |
| seem to notice. Regardless, when the symptoms | | | | individuals include massage, aquatic therapy, |
| are present for a period of time for no apparent | | | | chiropractic therapy, yoga, self hypnosis, tai chi, |
| cause and seem to have no remedy then Chronic | | | | and even acupuncture. Psychotherapy has also |
| Fatigue Syndrome is a frequent diagnosis. | | | | proven helpful to sufferers of Chronic Fatigue |
| Some of the frequent symptoms of Chronic | | | | Syndrome because it helps sufferers learn to |
| Fatigue Syndrome include: | | | | cope with their symptoms. |
| - Muscle Aches | | | | Prescription treatment options for Chronic Fatigue |
| - Persistent Fatigue | | | | Syndrome have not been approved by the FDA. |
| - Intermittent Fatigue | | | | There are however other prescription medications |
| - Depression | | | | that are used to treat the symptoms presented |
| - Tiredness | | | | with Chronic Fatigue. Frequently, the primary use |
| - Headache | | | | of the medicine is secondary and its side effects |
| - Swollen Lymph nodes | | | | are what benefit Chronic Fatigue sufferers. |
| - Depression | | | | Medicines like antifungals, antidepressants, |
| - Memory Loss | | | | antivirals, cardiac drugs, antihistamines, |
| - Weakness | | | | immunoglobulins, corticoids, anti-inflammatories, and |
| - Difficulty Concentrating | | | | anti-convulsants among others are frequently |
| - Achy Joints | | | | prescribed to CFS sufferers. |
| Frequently Chronic Fatigue Syndrome begins | | | | Do You Have CFS? |
| during periods when individuals have been sick, | | | | If you are worried you have Chronic Fatigue |
| under a tremendous amount of stress, or for no | | | | Syndrome or have some of the above stated |
| apparent reason at all. Many individuals have noted | | | | symptoms for months on end then you should |
| that after bouts with the flu, mono, a cold, | | | | make an appointment with your physician. It is a |
| bronchitis, hepatitis, and other similar illnesses CFS | | | | good idea to keep a journal of your symptoms, |
| arises. Unfortunately, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | when they began, and if new ones appear. This |
| persists for months, sometimes coming and going | | | | will help your doctor make the proper diagnosis |
| and other times constantly affecting the patient. | | | | and help receive some relief from your |
| Other illnesses begin to clear up after a few days | | | | symptoms sooner. |
| or weeks, but Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sticks | | | | Disclaimer - The information presented here |
| around with no clear cause. | | | | should not be interpreted as or substituted for |
| Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue | | | | medical advice. Please talk to a qualified |
| Doctors find it very difficult to diagnose Chronic | | | | professional for more information about Chronic |
| Fatigue Syndrome. The reason why is because so | | | | Fatigue. |