| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is also
called chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS).
Symptoms:
- Tired (fatigued) for a long time--more than
6 months--even though you are getting enough rest and are not working too
hard.
- No known illnesses that could explain your symptoms
- Decreased ability to perform the tasks of normal living.
- Sore throat
- Tender or painful lymph nodes in neck or armpits
- Unexplained muscle soreness
- Pain that moves from joint to joint but doesn't include redness or
swelling
- Headaches that are different from the kind you usually get, or
headaches that make your whole head hurt
- Trouble with short-term memory or concentration
- Feeling very tired for more than 24 hours after exercise that didn't
bother you before
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety
- Depression
People with CFS may have other symptoms as well.
What causes chronic fatigue syndrome?
No one is certain about what causes CFS.
The symptoms may be caused by an immune system that isn't working well. Or
they may be caused by some kind of virus.
How is chronic fatigue syndrome treated?
The first step is to see if there is a
medical cause for your fatigue. Your doctor will probably want to review
your symptoms and medical history, and give you a physical exam.
Your doctor may also want to do some blood
tests, but lab testing is not often helpful. Some of the symptoms, such as
muscle aches, sleep problems, anxiety and depression, can be treated with
medicine. The medicine is intended only to reduce your symptoms and allow
you to be more active, not to cure the fatigue. So far, there is no
medicine that cures the entire syndrome. Most symptoms improve with time.
How can I help myself?
- Keep a daily diary to identify times when
you have the most energy.
- Plan your activities for these times.
- Keep up
some level of activity and exercise, within your abilities.
- Plan an exercise program to maintain your strength at
whatever level is possible.
- Exercise can help your body and your mind.
- Emotional support is important in coping
with a chronic health problem... ask for help.
- If your memory and concentration are
affected by chronic fatigue, keep lists and make notes to remind yourself
of important things. Also, give yourself more time to do things that take
concentration.
- Medicine may also help you sleep better, which might
improve your memory and concentration.
- Give yourself permission to recognize
and express your feelings, such as sadness, anger and frustration. You
need to grieve for the energy you have lost.
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