| Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is one of
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| | Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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| several names given to a poorly
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| | Chronic fatigue syndrome shares symptoms
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| understood, highly debilitating disorder
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| | with many other disorders. Fatigue, for
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| of uncertain cause/causes, which is
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| | instance, is found in hundreds of
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| thought to affect approximately 4 per
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| | illnesses, and 10% to 25% of all patients
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| 1,000 adults. People previously healthy
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| | who visit general practitioners complain
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| and full of energy may experience a
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| | of prolonged fatigue. A CFS diagnosis
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| variety of symptoms, including extreme
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| | should be considered in patients who
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| fatigue, weakness and headaches as well
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| | present with six months or more of
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| as difficulty concentrating and painful
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| | unexplained fatigue accompanied by other
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| joints, muscles and lymph nodes.
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| | characteristic symptoms. These symptoms
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| Typically CFS follows a viral infection
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| | include:
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| (e.g. cold or viral stomach bug), and is
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| | * cognitive dysfunction, including
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| sometimes found after mononucleosis
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| | impaired memory or concentration *
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| infections. Non-specific symptoms of
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| | postexertional malaise lasting more than
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| fatigue , tiredness , exhaustion , and
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| | 24 hours (exhaustion and increased
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| aches make CFS difficult to diagnose and
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| | symptoms) following physical or mental
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| similar to other conditions such as lupus
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| | exercise * unrefreshing sleep
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| , multiple sclerosis , fibromyalgia and
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| | Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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| Lyme disease. People with CFS are often
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| | The first step is to see if there is any
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| unable to perform normally at work and
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| | other explainable cause for your fatigue.
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| home because of their long-term fatigue
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| | Your doctor will probably want to review
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| and problems with short-term memory.
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| | your symptoms and medical history, and
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| Chronic fatigue syndrome affects tens of
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| | give you a physical exam. Your doctor may
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| thousands of people. It occurs more
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| | also want to do some blood tests, but lab
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| commonly in females than in males. This
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| | testing is not often helpful in the
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| condition occurs most commonly in young
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| | diagnosis of CFS.
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| to middle-aged adults. People with CFS
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| | Pacing is an important way of controlling
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| are often unable to perform normally at
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| | symptoms. It means finding a balance
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| work and home because of their long-term
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| | between activity and rest, and avoiding
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| fatigue and problems with short-term
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| | large bursts of exercise that may set you
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| memory. This can lead to depression, but
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| | back. Learning how to make the most of
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| depression is not a cause of CFS
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| | your energy can help to increase the
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| Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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| | amount you can do.
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| The cause of CFS is not yet known.
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| | How can I help myself?
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| Current research is exploring the
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| | * Keep a daily diary to identify times
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| possibility that people with CFS may have
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| | when you have the most energy. Plan your
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| a dysfunction of the immune and central
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| | activities for these times. * Keep
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| nervous systems. Scientists are also
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| | up some level of activity and exercise,
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| studying various metabolic abnormalities
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| | within your abilities. Your doctor can
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| and risk factors (including genetic
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| | help you plan an exercise program to
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| predisposition, age, sex, prior illness,
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| | maintain your strength at whatever level
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| environment, and stress) that may affect
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| | is possible. Exercise can help your body
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| the development and course of the
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| | and mind. Read out for Medical
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| disease.
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| | information.
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