A Clear Description of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

What exactly is this mysterious disease that was once described as being the “yuppie flu”?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a sickness or illness that is defined by both "profound as well as prolonged exhaustion." You may have that random temporary loss of strength and energy due to the lack of sleep or over exertion, but you can correct this by getting a good nights sleep and a day or two of just relaxing. Those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome will not get better simply by getting an adequate amount of sleep and rest.

After medical testing, if no other sicknesses or health conditions can be found to bring about the extreme prolonged exhaustion and tiredness, chronic fatigue syndrome is often considered to be the cause.  Many people who are suffering from CFS often experience symptoms that resemble the flu. To make things worse and more confusing, they generally find that their symptoms do not improve within a matter of days or a matter of weeks.

A very common characteristic of chronic fatigue syndrome is what is known as "post-exertional malaise." Post-exertional malaise is a period of deep fatigue and exhaustion that lasts for more than 24 hours following physical exertion.

It is estimated that approximately 800,000 plus individuals suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) but less than 10 percent of these people have been properly diagnosed and are therefore not receiving the care they need to be properly treated. Women are four times more likely to suffer from Chronic fatigue syndrome than men. To use an example, for every 1000 men the CDC estimates has CFS there are 4000 women that have CFS. Among women, CFS is a great deal more common than are other diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), lung cancer or HIV.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a mysterious and enervating disease. This is a form of fatigue that has no apparent explanation. Generally, if prolonged fatigue lasts for six months or more; there are cognitive related problems such as trouble focusing on tasks; if there are difficulties with short-term memory, then chronic fatigue syndrome is likely to be seriously considered as the cause. If a person has suffered with chronic fatigue over a period of six months or more and it is severe and all other types of health conditions have been ruled out, then doctors often zero in on CFS.

If a person experiences four or more of the following ten symptoms then a diagnosis of CFS is generally made. These symptoms include bouts of extreme tiredness that last more than a period of 24 hours after a person has physically or mentally exerted themselves; waking up in the morning feeling unrefreshed; headaches that are more severe then headaches from the past; headaches that have different patterns; pain that occurs in joints that is not accompanied by redness or swelling; pain in muscles; a sore throat; lymph nodes that are tender; and significant difficulties in regards to concentration and/or short-term memory. 

Chronic fatigue syndrome does not discriminate. It affects people all across the globe as well as individuals who are in all ethnic groups and all racial groups. Studies have shown that chronic fatigue syndrome is just as prevalent among Hispanics and African Americans as it is among those who are Caucasoids. It has not been proven conclusively but it is believed that CFS may have a genetic link because it tends to run in families, however it does not appear to be contagious as the common cold.