| Even though chronic fatigue syndrome is a poorly | | | | experience a variety of symptoms, including |
| understood and lacks any definitive treatment it is | | | | extreme fatigue, weakness and headaches as well |
| emerging as one of the most dominant health | | | | as difficulty concentrating and painful joints, |
| disorders of our time. Chronic fatigue is reported | | | | muscles and lymph nodes. People with chronic |
| by 20 percent of all patients seeking medical care | | | | fatigue syndrome exhibit signs and symptoms |
| and is associated with many other well known | | | | similar to those of most common viral infections. |
| medical conditions. The first of many signs of | | | | Symptoms can also include weakness that |
| chronic fatigue is intractable fatigue lasting more | | | | interferes with daily living by up to 50% for some |
| than 6 months and not reversed by sleep. | | | | people. Unlike flu (influenza) symptoms, which |
| Fatigue is a slowly progressing, largely invisible | | | | usually subside in a few days or weeks, the signs |
| symptom and like pain, is a warning sign that | | | | and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome can |
| something is affecting the body. It can be a | | | | last for months or years, causing a marked |
| symptom of many illnesses such as infections or | | | | restriction in normal daily activities. |
| psychological disorders. In many cases the signs | | | | Currently there is no specific diagnostic test for |
| of chronic fatigue are worsened with physical or | | | | chronic fatigue nor is there a proven treatment |
| mental activity. | | | | regimen. Treatment is aimed at relieving the more |
| Many people liken chronic fatigue syndrome to a | | | | obvious symptoms and restoring the patient to |
| flu-like condition that drains their energy for | | | | some level of pre-existing function and well-being. |
| weeks and months on end. It can also be | | | | These treatments have been palliative at best |
| exacerbated by an actual viral illness or a | | | | and are based on trial and error application of |
| dysfunction of the immune system. Women are | | | | what seems to work and what doesn't. Doctor's |
| diagnosed with chronic fatigue 2 to 4 times as | | | | aim to relieve the symptoms and restore the |
| often as men but it is unclear whether it affects | | | | patient to some level of pre-existing function and |
| women more frequently or if they just report it | | | | well-being. |
| to their doctors more then men do. | | | | Chronic fatigue is a severe, debilitating disorder |
| This is a complicated disorder characterized as | | | | which can affect anyone. If you or someone you |
| stated earlier by extreme fatigue that does not | | | | know is exhibiting the signs of chronic fatigue |
| improve with rest and worsens with physical or | | | | syndrome then a visit to the doctor is the first |
| mental activity. Confusion, poor concentration, and | | | | place to start to rule out other illnesses that may |
| forgetfulness are among some of the signs of | | | | be contributing to the symptoms that are |
| chronic fatigue syndrome. In addition people | | | | experienced. |
| previously healthy and full of energy may | | | | |