The ailment that has come to be known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been reported in ever increasing numbers for the past 30 years.
It is sometimes called post-viral fatigue, Epstein-Barr or myalgic encephalomyelitis disease. At other times, it’s known as “CFIDS” — chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome.
For years CFIDS was derided as “yuppie flu” or hypochondriacal behavior. Over the years, however, chronic fatigue syndrome has come to be recognized by the medical establishment as a physical (not a psychological) ailment.
Actually, an established, somewhat similar ailment called Excessive Daytime Sleepiness has been accepted by the medical establishment for decades and for a long time was successfully treated with drugs such as Pemoline and Cylert.
The most common symptom is an unexplained fatigue feeling which can not be easily relieved by some rest. Other physical symptoms are:
* Muscle or joint pains or weakness
* Unexplained headaches
* Bowel problems
* Poor concentration
* Confusion
* Forgetfulness
* Difficulty in sleeping
* Poor temperature control
* Arthritis
* Fibromyalgia
Causes And Triggers
The medical world doesn’t yet know what causes chronic fatigue syndrome. There are, however, conditions believed to trigger chronic fatigue syndrome. Both viral infections and toxins are thought of as the most likely suspects.
Some studies indicate that CFS can be related to physical inactivity, immune system problems, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, overwork, stress, hormonal imbalance, brucellosis, and colitis. Regardless of its cause, chronic fatigue syndrome can have a major, deletirous impact on the patient’s quality of life.
Difficult to Diagnose
It is often hard to detect if one is suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. It’s not at all unusual for years to go by before the patient even hears of chronic fatigue syndrome. That’s because diagnosis of CFS cannot be confirmed by laboratory testing.
Many experts believe patients who suffer four from the eight symptoms stated below can be diagnosed with chronic fatigue illness.
1. Short-term memory impairment or difficulty concentrating
2. Tender lymph node
3. Sore throat
4. Multi-joint pains
5. Muscle pains
6. Headaches
7. Un-refreshing sleep
8. Fatigue that lasts more than a day
If four or more of the above symptoms are suffered by the patient for six consecutive months, he or she will officially be diagnosed with the syndrome. Otherwise, the condition most likely will be diagnosed as “idiopathic chronic fatigue.”
The difficulty to diagnose is also the reason why there is no known exact number of people suffering from CFS. An estimated half million Americans suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Women are reported to suffer from it more than men, though the statistic is not clear whether the illness affects more women due to a different condition and lifestyle or if only that women report their condition more than men do.
