Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

It may start with a cold or other infection, or with a period of high stress. (Read about "Stress") You're tired all the time, and even with plenty of sleep and rest, you are still exhausted. Your joints ache, your throat hurts and your lymph nodes are swollen. Your energy is gone, you're weak, unable to do things like you used to and you lack the stamina you once had. That's what it's like for someone with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

History

CFS is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or systemic exertion intolerance disease. It seems seems to date back to at least the late 1800's, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), though it was known by other names. Even today, there are other names that it is sometimes called, including immune dysfunction syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis. (Read about "The Immune System")

In the 1860's, doctors reported seeing a similar illness that was called neurasthenia. After that, other causes were suggested such as anemia or iron poor blood, hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, candidiasis or a body wide yeast infection and an environmental cause of some sort. In the 1980's the Epstein-Barr virus became a suspect (Read about "Mononucleosis") but NIAID says the latest studies indicate that, while the virus may contribute in some cases, it isn't the only cause, and it may not be the cause at all. Research into the cause continues.

Symptoms

In the 1990's the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) helped define what exactly CFS is and how it should be diagnosed.

The first and main symptom is being tired all or most of the time and having felt that way for at least six months. Other symptoms according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) include:

• sore throat
• tender or painful lymph node in the 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 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

Your doctor will first try to rule out other causes of the complaints. If other causes don't seem likely, and if you have at least four of the above symptoms, you could be diagnosed with CFS.

Patients and causes

Even though the first patients in the 1980's were well off women, doctors have now seen the syndrome in people of all ages, races, social and economic status all around the globe. However, CFS still is diagnosed in women two to four times as often as men, according to NIAID. The reason is unknown, as is the cause of the syndrome.

Treatments

Since there is no identified cause for CFS, most treatment is aimed at relieving as many of the symptoms as possible. Your doctor is the one to talk to about dealing with specific symptoms.

Drugs can be used to relieve some symptoms, but there is nothing that is approved to treat CFS as a whole. The Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America says there is one drug in the Food and Drug Administration approval pipeline undergoing tests. CDC also warns about quack cures that are unproved and perhaps dangerous. Always consult with your doctor before trying a treatment.

Living with chronic fatigue

While there is no cure for CFS, most health professionals agree there are things you can do to help yourself. The main thing is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some suggestions from NIAID and AAFP:

• Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest. (Read about "Sleep")
• Keep a diary of when you are most tired and when you have the most energy. Plan activities around the times when you are likely to have more energy.
• Keep exercising, as much as possible without bringing on more fatigue. (Read about "Getting Started on Fitness")
• If memory or concentration is affected, keep lists and make notes. Also, leave more time for things that take concentration.
• Acknowledge feelings of anger sadness and frustration that you feel.
• Reach out for help from family, friends and support groups.

Recovery

According to the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America, CFS is different in everyone. Some people are unable to get out of bed while others live and function normally. The CDC reports that almost a third of people report significant improvement during the first five years and almost half in the first ten years. Research into the causes of the syndrome continues.

Related Information:

    Microorganisms