Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Basic Facts

Chronic fatigue syndrome is an illness that exhibits symptoms like constant exhaustion and symptoms that are flu-like, but do not go away as true flu normally does. Persons who suffer from CFS find themselves experiencing extreme fatigue for more than a day after doing any strenuous physical fitness activity.

Symptoms:

The following is a list of symptoms that may one may experience and affect ones over all health and fitness while suffering from CFS according to a study conducted by a International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group:

Loss of ability to remember or to be able to concentrate

Sore Throat

Axilla (armpit) and neck lymph nodes that become slightly enlarged and become painful

Muscle soreness that cannot be explained away as having occurred from normal causes

Joint pain without accompanying redness or swelling that is experienced in more than one joint

Unusual headaches that differ in type of pain, in pattern or in the severity of pain

Disturbances in sleep patterns

Intense exhaustion following normal type and duration of exercise

Other symptoms reported by CFS sufferers have been:

Pain in the abdominal area

Intolerance to alcohol

Bloating

Pain in the chest region

Cough that is chronic (over a long period of time)

Dizziness

Eyes and mouth that become noticeably dry

Earache

Heartbeats that become irregular in timing

Stiffness of joints especially in the early morning

Nausea

Sweating while asleep at night

Periods of depression, feeling anxious or experiencing panic attacks

Experiencing periods of being short of breath

Feeling tingling sensations

Noticing weight loss

Two Types Of CFS:

Physicians have reported two types of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; they are Sudden Onset and Gradual Onset. They report that the Sudden Onset, seems to occur quite suddenly and is often times followed by symptoms of a

flu-like virus, or the patient may have recently suffered a severe infection or some other type of illness just prior to noticing the CFS symptoms. Reportedly some patients suffered an emotional stress prior to the onset of the symptoms. The Gradual Onset type of CFS patients observed symptoms that were milder and appeared more slowly over time, and then increased in intensity. Most patients simply dismiss the Gradual Onset CFS symptoms, because they occur over a longer period of time. They may think it is some other mild disease or caused by stress. Not until their symptoms become chronic, do they become concerned enough about their health to consult a physician.

Also Referred To As:

You may have heard Chronic Fatigue Syndrome referred to by other names such as: simply Chronic Fatigue or Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS). There are some who call it Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), or Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS).

What ever you chose to call this disease isn't important, there has to be overwhelming effects on the patient and his/her family. As you can imagine those suffering from either form of chronic fatigue syndrome must experience

devastation, as the disease robs them of energy to complete even simple daily tasks. These patients are in chronic pain and this long-term pain has been known to lead to deep depression. Often times doctors have difficulty diagnosing CFS due to the many widespread symptoms those who suffer from it may exhibit.