Your Long-Standing Fatigue
Could Be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Current statistics estimate 800,000 Americans suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However, many people go undiagnosed because of the lack of understanding by the medical community. CFS can be difficult to diagnose and treat because of the wide array of symptoms and similarity to other illnesses.

This illness is most common in people in their 40s and 50s. Women are four times more likely to be affected than men. Recent studies have found a genetic link, which suggests CFS runs in families.

Also found in these studies was the prevalence of childhood emotional, physical or sexual abuse and/or trauma among sufferers. Another contributing factor to this illness is a high level of daily stress.

The dominating symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is unexplained fatigue that: 1) interferes with normal activities, and 2) is present for at least six months. To make a proper diagnosis of CFS, four or more of the following symptoms must be present:
· Short-term memory loss
· Inability to concentrate
· Sore throat, flu-like symptoms
· Tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
· Muscle pain
· Multiple joint pain without redness or swelling
· Sleep disturbances
· Extreme fatigue following physical exertion
· Headaches

Other symptoms may include:
· Pain in the abdominal area
· Intolerance to alcohol
· Bloating
· Pain in the chest region
· Chronic cough
· Dizziness
· Dryness of the eyes and mouth
· Earache
· Heartbeats that become irregular in timing
· Stiffness of joints especially in the morning
· Nausea
· Night sweating
· Periods of depression, anxiety or panic attacks
· Periods of shortness of breath
· Tingling sensations
· Weight loss

As one might imagine, dealing with these symptoms especially chronic pain, will eventually lead to depression. A person’s self esteem can take a huge hit when pain and illness keeps them from living to their full potential.

On top of that, the public and medical community largely misunderstands Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Sometimes it is hard to find compassion when one doesn’t “look ill”.

There is also a huge burden put upon the families and friends of Chronic Fatigue sufferers. Their lives are profoundly affected because of the immobility and depression of their loved one. It takes a lot of love and patience to deal with this illness. Many families, unfortunately, are torn apart and friendships lost.

There is no single test that will lead to a diagnosis of CFS. It is obtained mostly through a process of eliminating other diseases and factors. It is most important to find a physician who is willing to go the extra mile and not write off your symptoms as “all in your head”.

Physicians who have diagnosed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome report two types: sudden onset and gradual onset. Sudden onset occurs suddenly with symptoms of a flu-like virus. Or, the patient may have recently suffered a severe infection or other illness prior to noticing CFS symptoms. With gradual onset, symptoms are milder and appear more slowly. It is common with this type to be brushed off as stress-related or a passing sickness.

There is no cure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Physicians can only treat a patient’s symptoms. Each treatment plan has to be individualized to fit the patient’s needs.

Methods of treatment may include medications, natural remedies, alternative therapies and lifestyle changes. As with any chronic illness, a variety of treatments is usually the best approach.

The symptoms of CFS can increase or decrease in severity over time. Patients can gain much improved health over the years. A patient has to take control of their health by educating themselves, collecting supportive health care professionals, and most importantly having a strong and caring support system.

Awareness of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is slowly increasing. More studies are being done to find the cause or causes, which means there is more interest in the illness.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has developed a CFS Awareness Campaign, which is now underway. You can check it out along with other useful information at their website www.cdc.gov/cfs. With this new awareness maybe one day we won’t have to lose our precious friends and relatives to this illness.

Sign Up For a Free Newsletter and Report!