Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a disorder of unknown origin that is characterized by unexplained tiredness lasting a year or more and is accompanied by cognitive (thought-related) difficulties as well as headaches, pain in the muscles and joints, along with other symptoms.
CFS is a disorder that affects a number of body systems, ranging from digestive problems, soreness in joints and muscles, and difficulties with thinking and memory to sleeping problems, chest pain, headaches, and extreme tiredness that is not relieved by rest. Even though the disorder bears some resemblance to such other disorders as Lyme disease or fibromyalgia, it includes some symptoms that do not happen in these disorders. The symptoms of CFS vary in severity from patient to patient and may vary over time for an individual patient.
Numerous instances of CFS begin in the winter following an episode of influenza, an influenza-like illness, bronchitis, or other viral-like illness; nevertheless, a substantial number appear to be triggered by a period of psychological tension. In a few cases, patients reported that their chronic fatigue began after a blood transfusion. Others have said that their symptoms began for no apparent reason.
CFS carries a high cost in time lost from work and social activities for many people. About half of patients diagnosed with CFS either have to decrease their work load or stop working altogether. One set of studies reported that only 42 percent of CFS patients were employed; of those working, 64 percent limited their work because of CFS, and only 19 percent of patients worked full time without limitations. The illness has a high psychological price as well, since it makes it tough for individuals to carry out household chores, complete their education, or plan for the future. Many patients also worry about the long-term impact of chronic fatigue syndrome on their marriage or family relationships.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that chronic fatigue syndrome affects between 1 and 4 million individuals in the United States. Most are young or middle-aged adults, with women being affected four times more frequently than men. It's not known for certain, however, regardless of whether women are more likely than men to get CFS or whether they are merely more likely to consult a doctor about their symptoms.
Exact statistics about the frequency of CFS are challenging to compile because the definitions of the disorder have changed somewhat since the early 1990s. CFS affects individuals of all races and ethnic groups. It appears to be as common among African Americans and Hispanics in the United States as among Caucasians. It also appears to be equally common at all levels of education and income.
The trigger or causes of CFS are still being debated. You will find five main theories that researchers have proposed about feasible causes of the disorder:
You will find no laboratory tests or imaging studies that could be utilized to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome. The diagnosis is primarily a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that the doctor begins by ruling out some diseases and disorders that have similar symptoms.
These include disorders that trigger fatigue, like sleep apnea or a thyroid disorder; medications that might cause unusual tiredness; alcohol abuse; recurrence of cancer; severe obesity; or a previous diagnosis of depression, schizophrenia, or an eating disorder. The CDC has defined two major criteria for CFS. The first criterion is that the individual should have severe fatigue for a period of a minimum of six months with other possible causes ruled out. The second criterion is having four or more of the primary symptoms listed above.
Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome is usually multifaceted, consisting of recommendations about normal exercise and the importance of a nourishing diet, together with normal sleeping habits. About 70 percent of patients with CFS reported that they felt better after completing an exercise program that was designed to maintain them active with out making their fatigue worse. Antidepressant medications might be given to treat the depression, along with medications to treat the patient's allergies. Patients can also take non-aspirin pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve headaches or pain in the muscles and joints.
There's, nevertheless, no single treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome that helps all patients who try it. What works greatest for most people is drawing up a personalized treatment plan together with their physician. Psychotherapy is recommended to help CFS patients cope more effectively with tension and to improve their chances of returning to fulltime work.
The kind of psychotherapy that has been discovered to be most useful for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome is cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. In this form of therapy, patients discover to identify negative thoughts and behaviors that can complicate getting better, and to replace them with positive attitudes.
In addition to CBT, support groups are helpful to numerous patients in learning to cope with the symptoms of the illness and its impact on their lives. Some alternative and complementary therapies have been discovered to be efficient in relieving the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. These include gentle forms of physical exercise like yoga and t'ai chi as well as meditation, relaxation methods, deep breathing exercises, and acupuncture.
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