Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Overview

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFS, is a disease that affects the quality of life of many adults across the world. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as the name suggests, is characterized by constant tiredness and fatigue throughout the day which cannot be explained by any discernible medical condition. It affects the patient’s ability to conduct their daily lives normally, to the point where they find it impossible to function. It is estimated that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome affects over a million adults in the US and a quarter of a million people in the UK. It is found to be more common in women than in men, and is more likely to affect individuals over 40.

A person suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome finds himself very low on energy and they may face difficulty dealing with the simplest of tasks. They have commonly been found to display and complain of headaches, continuous muscle and joint pain, fitful sleep, waking up feeling tired, lack of focus and desire, and severe mental and physical exhaustion. Sufferers often find they are unable to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. They might completely become unable to exercise, resulting in poor fitness. It also affects the mental abilities of the patient, resulting in decreased attention spans, lack of alertness, poor memory and slow reaction time. The impact on lifestyle can vary from some people leading relatively normal lives, to some not being able to sustain employment or care for themselves at all. Its symptoms tend to last from six months to a year at the least.

Despite long running research, exactly what causes the onset of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is unknown. It is believed that many factors, including nutritional deficiencies, stress, infections, immunological dysfunction and hypotension in combination, can cause an onset. Commonly reported symptoms include severe fatigue, flu-like symptoms, unexplained muscle pain, unrefreshing and fitful sleep, loss of memory or concentration, and extreme exhaustion after any physical activity lasting more than 24 hours. The diagnosis is difficult as there are no direct factors that blood tests, brain scans or other tests may identify. It is most often diagnosed through a process of exclusion. Healthcare professionals generally look into the details of a person’s physical and mental medical history, and attempt to eliminate other causes for fatigue using lab screening tests.

There is no cure available for this complex disease as of now. The treatment may take many forms depending on the individual’s specific symptoms, length and severity of the disease. Usually, a team of health care professionals including doctors, mental health professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and physical therapists, is required to create a recovery program tailored to the individual’s needs.

Some doctors may prescribe certain drugs that may help with the condition. These include antidepressants, antivirals, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs and immune-system boosters. Some patients are also advised to inhale oxygen to boost energy levels.

Other medical practitioners tend to recommend more holistic methods of coping with the symptoms, such as dietary changes, nutritional supplements, yoga and other alternative therapies. Because the condition is caused and exacerbated by high levels of stress, counseling is also found to lower the symptoms and benefit the sufferer.