| It can be very difficult to diagnose CFS | | | | pain, insomnia or poor sleep, and |
| (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). This is because | | | | "post-exertional malaise" (which means |
| CFS has many different possible causes, | | | | feeling exhausted for 24 hours after vigorous |
| depending on the patient. Doctors must | | | | exercise). |
| diagnose it in an exclusionary fashion. What | | | | |
| this means is that if the doctor suspects | | | | If the fatigue and at least four of the other |
| CFS, he or she will try to eliminate other | | | | eight symptoms are present, the doctor may |
| possible causes of the symptoms. Once every | | | | conclude that CFS is the culprit as long as |
| other possibility has been eliminated, that | | | | there are no other reasons for the symptoms. |
| leaves CFS as the diagnosis. | | | | |
| | | | For many years, doctors were unfamiliar with |
| This must be the process because many of CFS' | | | | CFS and wouldn't diagnose it. Others were |
| symptoms resemble those of other conditions. | | | | familiar with it but did not consider it a |
| Often the CFS sufferer reports 'flu-like | | | | real syndrome, but more of a psychological |
| symptoms: aches, pains, fatigue, fever, and | | | | condition. Even today, because of the |
| chills. Other times, the symptoms seem like | | | | conditions vague origins and lack of a |
| clinical depression (although there is a key | | | | specific cause, some doctors are reluctant to |
| difference: Physical exercise usually helps | | | | diagnose it and consider it a true |
| people with depression, while exercise for | | | | "syndrome." This frustrates sufferers of CFS, |
| CFS sufferers generally worsens their | | | | who insist their condition is medical, not |
| symptoms). | | | | psychological. |
| | | | |
| Once a doctor has ruled out any other | | | | Part of the problem is the inclusion of the |
| potential causes of the symptoms, he or she | | | | word "fatigue" in the syndrome's name. |
| looks for the primary CFS indicators. First | | | | Everyone feels tired at times. Some people |
| and foremost is incapacitating fatigue. This | | | | even feel tired MOST of the time, due to |
| must be constant exhaustion that is new | | | | having a demanding job or a very active |
| (i.e., has not existed since birth), cannot | | | | social life. Calling that a "syndrome" seems |
| be explained by other conditions or diseases, | | | | "wimpy" to some people. It's important to |
| has lasted for at least six months, and is | | | | note that while fatigue is certainly the most |
| not improved by sleep or rest. | | | | prevalent symptom of CFS, it's not the only |
| | | | one. The 'flu-like symptoms are a major |
| Continue reading for more information on | | | | component, too, and no one would argue that |
| other CFS symptoms that need to be present | | | | 'flu-like symptoms aren't a legitimate |
| before a diagnosis can be given and sign up | | | | medical condition. |
| for the free newsletter below, which offers | | | | |
| tips and suggestions for overcoming CFS | | | | So there remains some stigma with CFS, and |
| naturally. | | | | the medical community has not reached a |
| | | | consensus on its causes or treatments. If you |
| If those conditions are met, the doctor then | | | | feel you are suffering from CFS, it's |
| looks for more. At least four of these eight | | | | important to find a physician who understands |
| symptoms must be present: poor short-term | | | | and who will take your health seriously and |
| memory and concentration, sore throat, tender | | | | provide appropriate diagnosis and treatment. |
| lymph nodes, joint pain, headaches, muscle | | | | |