| Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, was first | | | | the main symptoms above. Furthermore, the |
| identified in the 1980s, but the cause is | | | | symptoms may come and go seemingly without |
| very hard to determine. It encompasses many | | | | reason or treatment. |
| different symptoms and discomforts. It is | | | | |
| defined as significant fatigue for a period | | | | It is a very debilitating ailment, greatly |
| of more than six months, not related to | | | | affecting the persons' quality of life. The |
| exertion or lack of sleep, and associated | | | | un- restful sleep, and any combination of |
| with other symptoms. The patient feels fluey, | | | | symptoms can further contribute to a host |
| no energy, frequent headaches, sore joints | | | | ofother problems, such as loss of |
| and lymph nodes, and has trouble | | | | concentration, dizziness, depression, mood |
| concentrating. | | | | disorders, and short-term memory impairment. |
| | | | |
| The most common CFS symptoms are: | | | | To further add to the difficulty of diagnosis |
| | | | are other conditions like fibromyalgia, which |
| Fatigue | | | | has most of the same symptoms. Pre-existing |
| | | | conditions like chronic viral illnesses, |
| Constant deep, incapacitating mental and | | | | lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple |
| physical exhaustion, which does not disappear | | | | sclerosis, hepatitis, sleep disorder, adverse |
| through rest. Rather than alleviate this long | | | | effects of medication, severe obesity, and |
| term fatigue, exercise of any kind only | | | | psychiatric illnesses all impact on the |
| aggravates it. | | | | diagnosis and treatment. |
| | | | |
| Pain | | | | There is no cure for chronic fatigue |
| | | | syndrome; only treatments for the symptoms, |
| CFS pain is generally in the muscles, joints | | | | such as headaches and sore throats. The |
| (without swelling or inflammation), and lymph | | | | treatment by conventional and alternative |
| nodes. Common complaints are also irritable | | | | means both aim at the restoration of normal |
| bowel syndrome, chest pains and sore throats. | | | | sleep and elimination of pain. |
| | | | |
| Cognition | | | | Treatments vary from antidepressants, |
| | | | steroids, immune system medications, |
| Patients may suffer from forgetfulness and | | | | anti-histamines to homeopathic treatments |
| confusion.Their thinking, focusing and verbal | | | | like evening primrose oil, diet |
| skills are often affected as well. | | | | therapy,cognitive behavioral therapy, and |
| | | | gentle exercise programs. Although lack of a |
| Hypersensitivity | | | | definite treatment for CFS leaves a lot to be |
| | | | desired, the above treatments, whether all or |
| Most CFS sufferers are very sensitive to | | | | acombination, can prove fairly effective. |
| light, sound, chemicals and food. The | | | | |
| sensitivity to foods, odors, substances, and | | | | If depression is the main problem, treatment |
| medications can make treatment difficult. | | | | of that can significantly improve the quality |
| Patients who already had a history of | | | | of sleep, thus affording some relief of the |
| allergies and conditions, like asthma, now | | | | persistent fatigue. Psychologists can |
| tend to suffer more acutely from those | | | | identify personal factors, such as |
| symptoms. Oversensitivity of all the senses | | | | personality styles, unhelpful thought |
| contributes to abnormal tiredness, migraines, | | | | patterns, and attitudes. They can also help |
| and even seizures. | | | | patients identify overwork-collapse patterns |
| | | | and train them to reduce the physical, |
| Body Temperature Imbalance | | | | psychological and emotional stressors. |
| | | | |
| CFS patients have trouble stabilizing their | | | | Diet is of utmost importance. It is important |
| body temperature, constantly fluctuating | | | | to include essential fatty acids in your |
| between too hot and too cold. They often | | | | daily food intake as well as powerful |
| complain of fever-like symptoms. This may be | | | | antioxidants to restore the immune system. |
| due to the affected hypothalamus, the organ | | | | Both have shown significant improvement in |
| controlling body temperature. | | | | chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. |
| | | | |
| Sleep Issues | | | | Heavy metal may also be a cause of CFS. In |
| | | | the case of mercury poisoning, dental |
| No amount of sleep and rest can make these | | | | fillings would need to be removed. |
| sufferers feel better. Most have trouble | | | | |
| getting a good night's sleep. Even with | | | | NB |
| regular sleep schedule and after prolonged | | | | |
| deep sleep, they wake up exhausted. | | | | This information about Chronic Fatigue |
| | | | Syndrome has been gleaned from various |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome is very hard to | | | | sources. It may not be fully accurate and is |
| diagnose because of the many different | | | | intended only as information. Only your |
| symptoms. Every patient is different and | | | | doctor can make the right diagnosis and |
| presents varying combinations and severity of | | | | prescribe treatment right for you! |