Medical researchers do not know what causes chronic fatigue syndrome, a disorder that afflicts tens of thousands of people in the United States. Hard to diagnose, doctors will tell you that you have chronic fatigue syndrome if you have suffered from constant tiredness for six months and all other possible diseases and condition have been ruled out. Chronic fatigue syndrome occurs more in women than in men, and causes those afflicted with it to be unable to perform normal tasks at home and in the workplace without tiring quickly and it is often accompanied by short-term memory loss. The treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome focuses on the symptoms only, which can improve over time.
So far science is leaning towards the possibility that chronic fatigue syndrome is precipitated by infections to a person’s immune system. While several viruses have been looked at as possible culprits in chronic fatigue syndrome, so far no single one in particular has emerged as an obvious cause. A strain of bacteria responsible for pneumonia has been looked at in some instances of chronic fatigue syndrome as bringing the condition about, and treating for that specific bacteria has been successful in many cases in reversing symptoms. But there are other cases of chronic fatigue syndrome that have been linked to infections totally unrelated to one another, and the research is still ongoing.
The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are the key to the diagnosis of the disease; there are no laboratory tests that can specifically detect the syndrome. Those that have chronic fatigue syndrome experience long-term fatigue for at least a period of six months that cannot be explained by any other condition. Constantly tired and run down, they may have had some sort of infection previously from which they never fully recover. Many complain that they have a difficult time with short-term memory, and often struggle to come up with the correct word during a routine conversation. They can become extremely tired after engaging in normal physical activity that they used to perform with no problem in the past. Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome will tell you that they are fatigued even after sleeping for long periods of time, and the condition can cause them to become depressed. Headaches, aching muscles, sore throats, and mild low grade fevers can accompany the disease as well.
When someone has these nagging symptoms and visits their doctor, they will be subjected to a battery of tests to rule out any other cause. Examinations and tests that look at liver, thyroid, and adrenal gland functions will be done. Blood tests will be conducted, as most people with chronic fatigue syndrome will have an extremely low measurement of settling red blood cells in non-clotting blood. Lyme disease and other diseases that bring about fatigue must also be crossed off the list of possibilities, and CT scans and MRIs will look for nervous system problems that could be guilty of making you tired all the time.
Once chronic fatigue syndrome has been decided upon as the reason for your symptoms, you will need to learn how to pace yourself. Improvement comes frustratingly slow with this disease, and that fact can be hard to deal with. Pain relief can come from over-the-counter or through prescription medications, in those cases where the pain is of a higher level. Anti-depressants such as Adapin and Elavil can help with sleeping and stronger ones such as Prozac can treat the actual depression that can go hand in hand with chronic fatigue syndrome. Anxiety can be treated with products such as Xanax, and stimulants can combat daytime sleepiness and overall fatigue symptoms. Allergies have been known to flare up in people with this malady, and are treated accordingly.
Therapies such as acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, self-hypnosis, and similar techniques have all been used in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as exercise programs designed with the problem of fatigue taken into account. It is not known how many people make a full recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome, and the disease can seem to improve only to come back around for another period of time. Many people report they no longer have symptoms five years after they were first distressed with them. Keeping a daily diary could help you learn what times of day you are most energetic, if there is a pattern, to help you plan your activities when you have chronic fatigue syndrome. There are support groups for those suffering from this disease, and getting plenty of encouragement from friends and family is important. Avoiding stress is vital, and getting proper sleep is also a priority, as you strive to find a balance in your life where you can accomplish all that you need and want to while you fight through the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
