| Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a | | | | |
| complicated disorder characterized by extreme | | | | Anyone at any age can have CFS. Women are |
| fatigue that does not improve with bed rest | | | | diagnosed with it two to four times as often |
| and may worsen with physical or mental | | | | as men. However, it's unclear whether CFS |
| activity. Of all chronic illnesses, CFS is | | | | affects women more frequently or if women |
| one of the most mysterious. The symptoms of | | | | report it to their doctors more often than |
| it include the following and at least four of | | | | men do. It also affects adults more often |
| the following are present for six months: | | | | than children, particularly adults in the 40 |
| | | | and 50 age groups. |
| 1. Forgetting things or having a hard time | | | | |
| focusing | | | | No one knows for sure what causes CFS. It may |
| | | | occur after an infection such as a cold or |
| 2. Feeling tired even after sleeping | | | | viral syndrome. It can happen over time or |
| | | | come on suddenly. People who get CFS over |
| 3. Muscle pain or aches | | | | time get more and more tired over weeks or |
| | | | months. While people who get it suddenly feel |
| 4. Pain or aches in joints without swelling | | | | fine one day and then feel extremely tired |
| or redness | | | | the next. It is a difficult and unpredictable |
| | | | condition to have. CFS effects everyone in a |
| 5. Feeling discomfort or "out-of sorts" for | | | | different way leaving some able to function |
| more than 24 hours after being active | | | | and others completely housebound. |
| | | | |
| 6. Headaches of a new type, pattern or | | | | Right now there is no cure for CFS. Many of |
| strength | | | | the treatments in place work to alleviate |
| | | | symptoms rather than cure the condition. |
| 7. Tender lymph nodes in the neck or under | | | | Treatments also vary from person to person. |
| the arm | | | | Discuss with your doctor ways to ease your |
| | | | symptoms and deal with your tiredness. |
| 8. Sore throat | | | | |