| Chronic fatigue syndrome is not a disease as | | | | apt to be just about as uncertain as the |
| such, but characteristic and complex array of | | | | illness itself. Regardless of the label and |
| symptoms that may mimic other illnesses. | | | | the concept, you lack a cure. You do not |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) burst into the | | | | know whether, if it is temporary, when it |
| public consciousness in the 1980's. Under | | | | will leave. You have no way to distinguish |
| the pressure from Congress and patient | | | | between what is and is not a symptom of your |
| support groups around the country, the Center | | | | illness. A headache could just be an |
| for Disease Control released a long-awaited | | | | ordinary headache, or it could be a new |
| clinical definition of chronic fatigue | | | | symptom that will last indefinitely. It is |
| syndrome in March 1988. Along with an | | | | difficult to decide whether to adapt to the |
| exhaustion that leaves many people bedridden, | | | | illness or to struggle for a clear |
| frequent chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms | | | | explanations and possible help. If you are |
| include headache, muscular and joint pain, | | | | not satisfied with the label CFS, you feel |
| inexplicable body aches and tired all the | | | | confused as well as sick, and often, living |
| time. The causes of CFS are not well | | | | with the uncertainty can be as painful as |
| understood. Some experts believe it is linked | | | | living with the illness itself. |
| to infection with the Epstein-Barr virus | | | | |
| (EBV), members of the herpes virus family | | | | Although it would be easy to entrust your |
| that also causes mononucleosis. This belief | | | | doctor with full responsibility for your |
| is based in large part on the fact that many | | | | health care, it would be to your advantage to |
| people with chronic fatigue syndrome have | | | | research and learn what options there are for |
| been found to have levels of EBV antibodies | | | | coping with CFS. While your doctor can |
| in their blood. It is likely that viral | | | | prescribe medications, ultimate control over |
| illness, emotional stress, and exposure to | | | | lifestyle decisions and the capacity to cope |
| environmental toxins act as triggers of CFS. | | | | rest in your hands. Learn how to pay close |
| Most cases of CFS involve a low-grade fever | | | | attention to what triggers your worst |
| along with immune deficiency. | | | | symptoms, how to balance your need for rest |
| | | | with the importance of getting enough |
| Many illnesses have typical, common symptoms. | | | | exercise. You can also work to reduce stress |
| The same microorganism may, however, | | | | in your life. Recognizing your stressors |
| manifest itself in different ways in | | | | goes a long way toward symptomatic relief. |
| different people, and some of those people | | | | Stress reduction techniques, such as deep |
| may not only feel but objectively be much | | | | breathing, meditation, and biofeedback, can |
| sicker than others. If you have a diagnosis | | | | be enormously helpful. |
| of chronic fatigue syndrome, the diagnosis is | | | | |