• What Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is

  Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disabling disorder that is marked by severe fatigue and doesn't improve with bed rest or exercise. The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown and the symptoms can last for years. Anyone can get this disease, but it is most common in women in their forties and fifties. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms that are more common include fatigue; loss or memory or concentration; sore throat; painful and enlarged lymph nodes; muscle pain; pain that moves from one joint to another, accompanied by swelling and redness; headaches; unrefreshing sleep; and exhaustion after physical and mental exercise. There are other symptoms that can occur as shown on the Mayo Clinic site and in the accompanying video. This site provides you with an overview of what chronic fatigue is, treatment possibilites, links to current research and a video interview of two women who have this disease.

• Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  A doctor's goal is to relieve the signs and symptoms by using a combination of treatments to provide relief. Some things that a doctor will suggest is moderating daily activity and adequate sleep. Dr. Teitelbaum's programs (see the featured video) at the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers involve natural remedies so you can get adequate sleep, medications for hormonal problems, treatments for infections and nutritional support.http://www.endfatigue.com/treatment_options/Steps_to_getting_well.html Once there is a recovery of the energy in your body, a gradual but steady exercise program will be recommended. Other treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy, treatment for depression, treatment for any existing pain and treating any allergy symptoms.

• Fast Facts

  1. Also called CFS
  2. Exact cause unknown
  3. Defined in 1988
  4. Affects 4 in 1000 in U.S.
  5. Four times more women than men suffer
  6. Can occur at any age
  7. Usually strikes in 40s or 50s
  8. Symptoms: fatigue, sleep dysfunction, pain
  9. 70% of patients reported feeling better after a gradual exercise program

• Quote

  A great deal of debate has surrounded the issue of how best to define CFS. In an effort to resolve these issues, an international panel of CFS research experts convened in 1994 to draft a definition of CFS that would be useful both to researchers studying the illness and to clinicians diagnosing it. In essence, in order to receive a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, a patient must satisfy two criteria:

  • Have severe chronic fatigue of six months or longer duration with other known medical conditions excluded by clinical diagnosis; and
  • Concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration; sore throat; tender lymph nodes; muscle pain; multi-joint pain without swelling or redness; headaches of a new type, pattern or severity; unrefreshing sleep; and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours.

  The symptoms must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months of illness and must not have predated the fatigue. Center for Disease Control and Prevention

• Disclaimer

  The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, please consult your doctor.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Fibromyalgia | Fatigue | Chronic Pain | Healing | Herbal Remedies | Traditional Chinese Medicine

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