| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complex | | | | three categories, they are listed below. |
| disorder about which little is known. The reasons | | | | General or physical symptoms: |
| for onset, etiology or cause of CFS are still largely | | | | Many sufferers of CFS find it nearly impossible to |
| unknown. In spite of the fact that more than one | | | | perform any sort of physical exertion. When |
| million individuals suffer from the disorder in the | | | | engaged in physical activity, such as exercise or |
| United States alone, physicians are still focused | | | | any sort of physical labor, the CFS sufferer may |
| primarily on symptoms, rather than causality. | | | | experience shortness of breath, light-headedness, |
| There are no physical signs to alert an individual or | | | | and even blackouts. While some individuals are |
| your medical practitioner to the presence of CFS, | | | | able to conquer the work week, usually exerting |
| nor are there any conclusive diagnostic laboratory | | | | tremendous effort to do so, many more are |
| tests designed to diagnose it. The only thing more | | | | bedridden, forced to rely solely on others, totally |
| difficult than diagnosing and treating chronic fatigue | | | | disabled. Problems compound in the ear, nose and |
| syndrome, is living with it! | | | | throat area, appearing to be endocrine driven |
| The onset | | | | symptoms (glands and hormones). Sore throats |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome differs from other | | | | and swollen lymph nodes occur, perhaps |
| chronic illnesses in that about three-fourths of | | | | suggestive of an infection (antigen/antibody |
| occurrences come with what can only be | | | | reaction), as when the body attempts to fight off |
| described as an abrupt onset, often presenting | | | | a foreign body or when the body is undergoing an |
| suddenly and, seemingly, out of nowhere. Other | | | | extreme stress reaction. While allergies develop |
| instances of chronic fatigue spring up after a long | | | | and symptoms become more severe, fevers |
| period of mild symptoms, generally triggered by a | | | | often present as a symptom as well. Additionally, |
| traumatic event or stress. While suggestive, the | | | | CFS sufferers will experience night sweats, weight |
| link between stress and chronic fatigue remains | | | | change with little or no apparent change in dietary |
| only that...suggestive. | | | | habits, and they will often suffer from irritable |
| Etiology or Cause | | | | bowel syndrome and bladder dysfunction. |
| The research into CFS has been extensive, | | | | Interestingly, many of the conditions listed above |
| published virtually around the world and in every | | | | are often present during periods of exaggerated |
| scientific journal and magazine you can think of, | | | | stress. |
| the interest is intense as the disorder reaches | | | | Neurological symptoms: |
| epidemic levels. Every organization, from the | | | | Sleep disorders are a common symptom of CFS |
| National Science Foundation (NSF), to the National | | | | and it has been suggested that increased pain |
| Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Center for | | | | sensitivity may contribute to the restlessness and |
| Disease Control (CDC) have researched this | | | | sleeplessness many experience. Chronic fatigue |
| complex and puzzling phenomenon, but to no avail. | | | | sufferers often experience difficulty with their |
| There are a number of powerful hypotheses but | | | | senses, mainly in the form of vision changes and |
| as of yet no solid data to support any of them. | | | | sensitivity to bright light, olfactory changes (odor |
| While anecdotal, it seems that the disorder only | | | | perception) and sensitivity to certain chemicals |
| recently, in fact over the past three and one-half | | | | have been documented. Disorientation may also |
| decades, has burst onto the scene, peaking the | | | | occur with CFS, while some suffer with problems |
| interest of scientists, researchers, and the medical | | | | of balance and spatial perception. Trouble with |
| community as a whole. | | | | concentration and memory have also been |
| Transmission | | | | reported, seeming to present along with impaired |
| No solid conclusions have been drawn pertaining to | | | | word usage during a phenomenon called "brain |
| transmission of chronic fatigue. In fact there is no | | | | fog." Some living with CFS are even subject to |
| evidence at all to support the proposition that CFS | | | | seizure-like episodes and unusual and disturbing |
| may be contagious. Nevertheless, multiple cases | | | | nightmares. |
| of the disorder have been diagnosed in the same | | | | Emotional problems: |
| family. There does seem to be powerful | | | | Depression is often connected with chronic fatigue |
| suggestive evidence that chronic fatigue may | | | | syndrome. Along with depression, CFS sufferers |
| indeed have a genetic component, however, the | | | | experience suicidal ideation, anxiety (with or |
| jury is still out. More research is needed to prove | | | | without panic attacks), anger and rage issues, and |
| or disprove the suggestion that CFS is or is not | | | | mood swings ranging from pronounced manic |
| genetic. | | | | episodes to suicidal depression. The depression |
| Symptomology | | | | experienced alongside CFS may be chemically |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is categorized by | | | | induced, due to a serotonin and norepinephrine |
| incapacitating, debilitating, and even totally disabling | | | | imbalance, as well as a consequence of external |
| fatigue. CFS presents with a myriad of | | | | events, such as severe pain, disability, and |
| symptoms, many resembling other illnesses. | | | | hopelessness due to lack of treatment options. |
| Symptoms of CFS mimic those of several other | | | | CFS varies in degree and expression, type and |
| disorders, making it extremely difficult to properly | | | | severity, from one patient to the next. In the |
| diagnose. Chronic fatigue symptoms are similar to | | | | same individual, chronic fatigue may wax and |
| those of Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Myofascial Pain | | | | wane from one day to the next, even hour to |
| Syndrome, multiple sclerosis, mononucleosis, and | | | | hour. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms may |
| even Lyme disease. The symptoms are | | | | be mild to acute, fleeting to chronic, in the same |
| widespread, and are usually broken down into | | | | individual and from day-to-day. |