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