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What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
For several years they have diagnosed CFS as a psychosomatic disorder, believing it stemmed from a mental disorder, but finally it is a recognized illness/disease. They describe a CFS as flu like illness of severe fatigue and weakness lasting longer than six months.
CFS patients have described fatigue as an exhausted, tired feeling or a lack of energy before which they have never known. They also describe weakness in such terms as the inability to move arms, legs and other muscles often associated with pain or ache that will not go away. If the weakness is only on one side of the body, or one muscle area only you should consult with your physician. This could be an indication that there is another disease process such as a stroke occurring.
Many local offices offer group therapy in understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. If a patient or family members are unable to attend the local meetings they may send someone to your home, or telephone for a more personalized understanding of the disease.
Possible Known Risk factors
· Diabetes
· Poor dieting
· Obesity
· Lack of exercise
· Stress
· Depression
· Thyroid problems
· Kidney disorders
· Stroke
· EBV.
Symptoms
· Severe weakness lasting longer than six months
· Severe fatigue lasting longer than six months
· A sore throat
· Low grade fever
· Swollen and painful lymph glands
· Muscle weakness to the point of inability to move, this can occur in any muscle of the body.
· Chronic headaches
· Excessive sleeping
· Insomnia
· Depression
· Lack of interest in food
· Symptoms develop quickly in an otherwise healthy adult.
Treatment
Other illnesses are first ruled out as a cause of CFS. Since there is no type of lab test to be done to diagnose CFS it can be a subjective diagnosis. Once they rule out all other causes and the weakness and fatigue last longer than six months, they then diagnose it as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Unfortunately there is no treatment for CFS itself, only treatment for the symptoms.
Generalized treatment consists of balanced diet, adequate rest, mild exercise and counseling for depression. If depression is not present as a beginning symptom, it soon becomes one. More than half the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) patients develop depression due to the sudden onset and long-term effect of this illness. Socioeconomic factors also induce depression if the disease attacks a family member that is the major income contributor.
Listen to your body. Alternate between mild exercise and resting. Avoid as many medications that cause drowsiness this will only add to the fatigue. Reduce or eliminate nicotine, alcohol, caffeine and any recreational medicinal drug use. Pick up a new hobby, learn to meditate and visit with family and friends as often as possible to try to break the fatigue.
Call a health care professional if any of these symptoms are present.
· Fever more than 100
· Unexpected weight loss
· Muscle weakness localizes to one portion of the body
· Suicidal thoughts
· Paralysis
· Difficulty swallowing
· If your condition worsens.
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