Chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS as it is called, is a very complex health problem which is characterized by extreme fatigue and tiredness, that do not improve even after sufficient bed rest and adequate relaxation. People affected by CFS cannot perform even minimum level of physical or mental activity that they would normally have no problem performing. CFS gets aggravated even when the affected person does minimum physical or mental activity. CFS can affect people for years, if they are not diagnosed and treated in time. As the symptoms of CFS affected patients are quite general, an international panel of CFS researchers had convened in 1994 to set about defining symptoms of CFS to help both researchers as well as clinicians to diagnose it better.
Causes
Researchers have not been able to pin point the exact cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome inspite of years of extensive research. Physiological causes, psychological reasons and infectious agents have been thought to be the reason for CFS, but the research has no conclusive evidence, and the search for answers continues. Studies suggest that the endocrine, immune and nervous systems also have an important role in the cause of CFS. Genetic and environmental factors are also considered to play some role in the cause, development and prolonging of CFS. Many people wrongly believe that CFS is caused due to depression, however, it is not so. The two may occur together, but many people suffering from CFS have no psychiatric problems.
Risk Factors
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can affect people from any ethnicity, socio-economic background, age and gender. However, research has shown that women are more prone to it as opposed to men. Studies have also shown that people in the age group of 40s and 50s are more prone to it. Though, research has shown that adults are more prone, CFS can affect some teenagers also.
Symptoms
Generally there are eight primary or defining symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. But, this is just a guideline as many people suffering from CFS have reported various others symptoms. The primary symptom is severe and chronic fatigue. If a person suffers from chronic fatigue or tiredness for six months or more without any other clinical diagnosis, then the person is said to be suffering from CFS. The other important symptoms include lack of refreshing sleep, impairment in short term memory and concentration, tender lymph nodes, muscle pains, multi joint pain and sore throat.
About 20% to 50% Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients also report symptoms like nausea, dry eyes, irregular heart beat, abdominal pain, night sweats, weight loss, psychological problems, etc. As the symptoms of CFS are quite general and may occur due to various different reasons, it is better to get a proper evaluation and analysis done.
Diagnosis
There are no specific diagnostic laboratory tests or physical signs that help in the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The physicians must be careful in diagnosing it, based on medical, psychiatric, and physiological conditions. Physicians must be able to rule out other common conditions which are similar to that of CFS symptoms. People with thyroid conditions, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, depression, cancers of different types, Vitamin deficiency, bipolar disorders etc also have similar symptoms, so doctors, must first rule out these conditions and arrive at diagnosing CFS. As it is difficult to diagnose CFS, research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that less than 20% of actual CFS patients are successfully diagnosed. Though about one million Americans are diagnosed to be affected by it, tens of millions of people all over the world suffer from it without being diagnosed properly.
Treatment
Treatment for CFS is aimed at relieving symptoms and improving functionality. There is no specific therapy that helps CFS patients, rather it is a combination of drug and non drug therapies. Doctors generally recommend nutritional supplements, dietary changes, lifestyle changes like reduced physical exertion, and use this in conjunction with drug therapies. Drugs are prescribed for sleep-problems, pain and other such specific symptoms.
