Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Tired All the Time

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS for short) is anconfirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue
illness characterised by persistent medicallysyndrome.The diagnosis of CFS is made only if no
unexplained fatigue.CFS may also be called myalgicother cause,including side effects of drugs,is found
encephalomyelitis (ME),Epstein-Barrto explain the fatigue.Unexplained chronic fatigue
disease,post-viral fatigue syndrome,or chroniccases can be classified as CFS if the patient has a
fatigue and immune dysfunction syndromeminimum of four of the following eight
(CFIDS).Chronic fatigue syndrome has frequentlysymptoms:impairment of short-term memory and
been viewed as hypochondriacal behavior orconcentration,sore throat,tender lymph
"yuppie flu".But most experts now agree thatnodes,muscle pain,multi-joint pain,headaches of a
chronic fatigue syndrome is a distinct disease withnew type or pattern or severity,unrefreshing
physical symptoms.The most prominent symptomsleep,and fatigue lasting more than 24 hours after
of CFS is an unexplained feeling of fatigue,which isphysical exertion.For a patient to be officially
not relieved by rest. Symptoms of chronic fatiguediagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, the
also include muscle and joint pain, musclesymptoms must have persisted for at least six
weakness, bowel problems,unexplained headaches,months.If the patient's symptoms do not meet
forgetfulness,poor concentration,confusion,poorthe criteria for CFS, then the condition is referred
temperature control and difficultyto as idiopathic chronic fatigue.Chronic fatigue
sleeping.Fibromyalgia and arthritis are frequentsyndrome is a frustrating illness that affects
accompaniments to patients with chronic fatiguepeople of all ages. Because there is no specific
syndrome.The cause of chronic fatigue syndromediagnostic test for chronic fatigue syndrome,no
is not well understood.Conditions that have beenone knows how many people suffer from this
proposed to trigger the development of chronicillness.It is estimated that half a million Americans
fatigue include virus infection and toxins. Somesuffer from CFS. Women are diagnosed with
theories suggests that chronic fatigue is related tochronic fatigue syndrome two to four times as
stress,overwork,physical inactivity,problems withoften as men are.It's not clear,however,whether
the immune system,low blood pressure,orCFS affects women more frequently - or if
hormonal imbalance.Colitis,hypoglycemia andwomen report it to their doctors more often than
brucellosis can also cause chronic fatiguemen do.Treating CFS presents a significant
syndrome.Regardless of the cause, chronic fatiguechallenge to people with chronic fatigue and their
has a major impact on the quality of life.Chronichealthcare practitioners.Viktor Radcliff is the
fatigue syndrome is very hard to diagnose, andowner of Find framed posters,art photos and
many people go for years without knowing thatmaps on his site.
they have it. No laboratory tests are available to