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Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome Causes Symptoms and Treatment – Chronic Fatigue -- The Facts
You Should Know
There
is significant concern about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as CFS. In
fact, there are criteria patients must meet in order to be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Receiving the diagnosis
may be difficult for some patients because the guidelines for diagnosing are
very specific.
The
fatigue must have been present at least six consecutive months and the corresponding
symptoms must have developed after the fatigue. A clear definition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, its symptoms, and
treatment options will help sufferers get a clearer understanding of the
syndrome.
What
is Chronic Fatigue?
The
basic definition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome does not make sufferers
feel much better. The syndrome is unexplained and is marked by weakness, fatigue, muscle pain, lethargy, trouble sleeping, and even fever and swollen lymph
nodes. There is no known cause for the fatigue that is present in an individual that has
no relation to over-exertion and is not rectified by rest.
Symptoms
Some of
the symptoms associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have been discussed.
However, there is a very long list. There are a variety of symptoms that
patients are very aware of and then there are other symptoms only doctors seem
to notice. Regardless, when the symptoms are present for a period of time for
no apparent cause and seem to have no remedy then Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a
frequent diagnosis.
Some of
the frequent symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome include:
-
Muscle Aches
-
Persistent Fatigue
-
Intermittent Fatigue
-
Tiredness
-
Swollen Lymph nodes
-
Weakness
-
Difficulty Concentrating
Frequently
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome begins during periods when individuals have been sick,
under a tremendous amount of stress, or for no apparent reason at all. Many
individuals have noted that after bouts with the flu, mono, a cold, bronchitis, hepatitis, and
other similar illnesses CFS arises.
Unfortunately,
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome persists for months, sometimes coming and going and
other times constantly affecting the patient. Other illnesses begin to clear up
after a few days or weeks, but Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sticks around with no
clear cause.
Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome Causes Symptoms and Treatment – Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue
Doctors
find it very difficult to diagnose Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The reason why is
because so many of its symptoms are symptoms of other illnesses. This is why
many doctors like to see patients with the same symptoms that began after the
fatigue for at least six months before giving a diagnosis.
Obviously,
sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome find the lack of an early diagnosis
difficult to bear on top of their symptoms. However, doctors like to rule out
diseases like Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis, as well as other diseases, before
diagnosing Chronic Fatigue.
Additionally,
researchers and doctors are becoming more aware of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and
are more likely to make an earlier diagnosis based on fewer symptoms than ever
before. That is not to say that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is easy to diagnose,
because it is not. However increased awareness and new definitions are helping
doctors and patients of Chronic Fatigue each and every day.
Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome - What Causes This Mysterious Illness?
For the
thousands of individuals who currently suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
(CFS), the causes of this mysterious illness remain a mystery. Reputable medical institutions, including the
Centers for Disease Control have launched research efforts into discovering the
reasons why some individuals contract CFS and what can be done to alleviate the
symptoms.
Originally
termed “yuppie flu” by the media, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was thought to be
caused by the Epstein Barr virus, or mononucleosis. In the late 1980's, it appeared that the only
individuals who suffered from yuppie flu were the young, upwardly mobile, urban
professionals who, because of their busy lifestyles, of course were tired!
With
further investigation, medical professionals discovered that many other
individuals were suffering from the unexplained symptoms of this illness. Even though the medical community has
published studies that bolster the reality of this illness, sufferers continue
to find that the “yuppie flu” designation still prevails.
Many
individuals who suffer from CFS have reported that they became ill with a virus
before later noticing the symptoms now attributed to Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome. Researchers now believe that a
virus, although not responsible for CFS, may cause damage to the neurological
system of the individual who later suffers from symptoms of CFS.
During
the course of what may well be a relatively harmless virus, areas of the brain
may sustain damage which then results in the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome. For some reason, this damage
may be permanent or transient - or at least the symptoms caused by the damage
may be.
Some
individuals who suffer from CFS find that their symptoms may lessen or
completely disappear in time, and still others find that they may experience a
“remission” of sorts, only to have the symptoms reappear at a later time.
This
“Brain Injury” theory is the most prevalent at this time and appears to provide
the most rational explanation for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to date. As the control center of the body, the brain,
when unable to function normally, can cause a host of mysterious symptoms that
are unexplained by any known medical illness.
Further
research into the causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome should provide the answers
to why some individuals suffer from this brain injury and others do not.
Treatment
Options
The
treatment options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are varied and include
alternative as well as prescription alternatives.
Some of
the alternative care management options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome include
avoiding stress and undertaking light exercise. Other treatment options that
work for some individuals include massage, aquatic therapy, chiropractic
therapy, yoga,
self-hypnosis, tai chi, and even acupuncture.
Psychotherapy
has also proven helpful to sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome because it helps
sufferers learn to cope with their symptoms.
Prescription
treatment options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have not been approved by the
FDA. There are however other prescription medications that are used to treat
the symptoms presented with Chronic Fatigue. Frequently, the primary use of the
medicine is secondary, and its side effects are what benefit Chronic Fatigue
sufferers.
Medicines
like antifungals, antidepressants, antivirals, cardiac drugs, antihistamines,
immunoglobulins, corticoids, anti-inflammatories, and anti-convulsants among
others are frequently prescribed to CFS sufferers.
Do
You Have CFS?
If you
are worried you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or have some of the above stated
symptoms for months on end, then you should make an appointment with your
physician. It is a good idea to keep a journal of your symptoms, when they
began, and if new ones appear. This will help your doctor make the proper
diagnosis and help receive some relief from your symptoms sooner.
To
understand more about chronic fatigue syndrome causes symptoms and treatment,
watch these 2 following videos:
This
article is from the Get Your Health Back – Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Freedom.
It consists of a strategy filled with guides on sleep, pain, depression,
anxiety, diet, exercise and fitness plans, diet plans and packed with 369
healthy and delicious recipes
To
find out more about this program, visit the website - Get Your Health Back – Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Freedom
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