| Not so long ago Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | the morning feeling un-refreshed. This |
| (CfS) was described as the "yuppie flu". It | | | | feeling will not improve simply by forging on |
| was the type of illness that only the rich | | | | into the shower or gym, keeping busy, or |
| and famous could afford to have. Today, it is | | | | having an extra cup of coffee. |
| estimated that more than 800,000 individuals | | | | |
| suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. | | | | The tiredness of someone with CFS may also |
| According to the Center for Disease Control, | | | | bring with it cognitive issues. Individuals |
| well over 50% of these individuals are women. | | | | suffering with CFS report significant |
| While lung cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis | | | | problems with focusing on tasks. They may |
| (MS), and lupus frequently grab the spotlight | | | | also experience difficulties with short-term |
| as prevalent among women, CFS is a much more | | | | memory; and other impairments. |
| common than all of them. | | | | |
| | | | Another factor individuals with CFS have in |
| Unfortunately, less than 10 percent of people | | | | common is the way they recover from exertion. |
| with CFS have been properly diagnosed, and | | | | Most people will recover from performing a |
| therefore are not receiving adequate care. | | | | function within a predictable amount of time. |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome is a form of fatigue | | | | That recovery also tends to be in a positive |
| that has no apparent explanation, but appears | | | | direction. An individual with CFS, on the |
| to have a set of symptoms or factors that are | | | | other hand, will find they actual become more |
| in common from person to person. A diagnosis | | | | tired, and their other symptoms will get |
| of CFS will only be made when no other | | | | worse. This tends to be most noticeable |
| illness or health condition can be found as | | | | during the first 24 hour period after the |
| the cause of the extreme tiredness. | | | | exertion. This is referred to as |
| | | | "post-exertional malaise". |
| At this stage, doctors and scientists do not | | | | |
| know the exact cause of CFS. What we do know | | | | Individuals with CFS often experience |
| is that it is an illness, or perhaps | | | | flu-like symptoms and other health issues. |
| collection of illnesses defined by both | | | | These symptoms do not improve within a few |
| "profound as well as prolonged exhaustion". | | | | days or weeks. Rather, the general feeling of |
| Studies have shown that chronic fatigue | | | | illness lingers. While the person with CFS |
| syndrome is as prevalent among Hispanics and | | | | does not carry HIV, they may still find |
| African Americans as it is among those who | | | | themselves with a compromised immune system, |
| are white. It has not been proven | | | | tender lymph nodes, and sore throat. |
| conclusively, but it is believed that CFS may | | | | |
| run in families, hence a possible genetic | | | | Headaches also appear to be another symptom |
| predisposition. On the other hand, it does | | | | of CFS. These tend to be more severe than |
| not appear to be contagious in the way that | | | | headaches from the past, or they have a |
| the common cold is. | | | | different pattern altogether. Pain that |
| | | | occurs in joints that is not accompanied by |
| Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome | | | | redness or swelling, and muscle pain, in |
| experience a number of common symptoms or | | | | conjunction with other symptoms may also |
| factors. If a person experiences four or more | | | | indicate the presence of CFS. |
| of the following symptoms then a diagnosis of | | | | |
| CFS is generally made. | | | | Because the origin and exact cause of CFS are |
| | | | unknown, it tends to only be diagnosed as |
| The most common symptom is prolonged fatigue | | | | such after all other types of health |
| that lasts for six months or more. While most | | | | conditions are ruled out. While women appear |
| people feel tired from time to time, and may | | | | to outnumber men in having this illness, CFS |
| need to "sleep in" on occasion, people | | | | is still an "equal opportunity" disease. It |
| suffering from CFS require much more sleep | | | | affects people all across the globe |
| and rest. These people constantly wake up in | | | | regardless of ethnic or racial group. |