Do You Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome, sometimes called myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a complex illness characterized by debilitating fatigue not relieved with bed rest and may worsen with physical or mental activity. Often there are other nonspecific symptoms such as sore throat, headache, muscle soreness, joint pain, difficulty thinking and loss of short-term memory.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is difficult to diagnose because a single diagnostic test and there is no identifiable cause of the disease. The syndrome is therefore not diagnosed in 80 percent of people living with the disease. Chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in women than in men and affects all racial and ethnic groups, particularly those in the age group 30 to 45.

Because the medical profession, much less the general public does not understand the disease, or often not even believe it exists, many patients say that a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome carries a considerable social stigma, and has often been considered like simulation, hypochondria, phobia, poor care or yuppie flu.

Causes and incidence

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, but there are many assumptions that may follow viral infections, bronchitis, mononucleosis, hepatitis, glandular fever or intestinal disease. Recent studies have shown that inflammation of nervous system pathways, acting as an immune response may play an important role.

One trial suggested that exposure to childhood trauma was associated with a sixfold increase in the risk of chronic fatigue syndrome. Sexual abuse, emotional abuse and emotional neglect have also been associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

A number of conditions overlap or coexist with chronic fatigue syndrome have similar symptoms. In fact, many experts believe that fibromyalgia is simply another variant of chronic fatigue syndrome or different manifestations of the disease.

Signs and symptoms

The characteristic symptom is prolonged, often overwhelming fatigue that has been associated with a complex of variables of other symptoms that are similar to those of many infections. Chronic fatigue syndrome can last for many years.

The following description of the situation of a woman in her own words is typical:

Coming back from an exhausting business trip and long term overseas with what I thought was a bad cold, I started feeling very tired, had headaches, aching muscles and joints. At first I thought he had got a bad case of flu, but over time the fatigue worsened. I visited my doctor and there began a procession of diagnoses including, thyroid problems, depression, menopause earlier. None of the treatments and drugs prescribed helped, instead things got worse.

I was trying to maintain a position of responsibility as national sales manager for a major pharmaceutical company and having to go home twice a day for half an hour of sleep, then eventually get home so tired that I ran up the stairs in my hands and knees. Finally, when I had to get a chair to sit while showering, I called my company and resigned. The human resources manager suggested that rather than firing me doctor and he referred to a specialist. This time the diagnosis was sleep apnea. In I went for tests at a sleep clinic and the diagnosis wrong again.

In this desperate moment as otherwise healthy 48 year would be, I finally found a doctor who said he had suffered the same symptoms and it proved to be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. With your support, sleeping up to 16 hours a day and 2 years of work have recovered to the point where it could have on part-time work and, finally, once again full-time work in a less stressful.

Even now some 7 years later, I have yet to sleep as much as 12 hours a day. Over the years I met many others who suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome, including a young and very fit professional athlete. This is a serious condition that is much more common than anyone realizes.

Diagnosis

Because the cause and nature of chronic fatigue syndrome are still unknown, a single test unequivocally confirm their presence. Therefore the diagnosis is based on the patient’s history and must include severe chronic fatigue of six months or longer with other known medical conditions excluded by clinical diagnosis. At the same time, the patient must have four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, lymph nodes, muscle pain, pain in several joints without swelling or redness, headaches of a new type, pattern or severity, restless sleep, stress and discomfort post over 24 hours.

Treatment

There is no known treatment to cure instantly CFS. Symptomatic treatment may include a combination of several modalities. Medications to treat depression, anxiety, pain, malaise and fever are also common. Hidden yeast infections may be present and the need for treatment. Anti-viral drugs can be tried. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome may be useful in helping patients live with their condition.

Many patients prefer the natural method for treating chronic fatigue syndrome, this implies a long and soft to help rebuild the immune system and help the body detoxify and is likely to constitute complementary or alternative treatments such as massage , acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga, stretching, or self-hypnosis. Some research has found that natural supplements ribose D can significantly improve symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, with particular benefit in the level of the participants in the study of energy and general welfare.

Several studies in China have shown acupuncture can help treat chronic fatigue syndrome. A novelty of this is the recent appearance of patches of acupressure is reported to have been used with some success in reducing the symptoms substantially.

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