CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

  • Poorly understood disease that causes exhaustion, sleep problems, thinking problems, and pain throughout the body.
  • There is not yet a cure for CFS and interventions focus on treating the symptoms and a keeping a low-key pace.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Cause

Unknown cause

  • Usually CFS symptoms start after a viral illness.
  • In other cases, CFS seems to follow a major physical or emotional trauma or an exposure to toxins.
  • Other theories point to the immune system, glands and hormones, and family history.

Manifestations usually occur abruptly but may slowly develop over weeks or months. They tend to have periods of relapse and remission.

Core symptoms are (but not limited to):

  • Extreme physical fatigue, mental fatigue, or both that affects activities of daily living.
  • Feeling unwell after being active.
  • Problems with Sleep.
  • Pain which may move from one area to another:
    • Muscle pain
    • Joint pain
    • Headache
  • Presentation of two or more of these symptoms:
    • Concentration roblems, short-term memory, or proper word selection
    • Extreme sensitivity to light, noise, or emotions
    • Confusion, slow thinking, or feeling disoriented
    • Muscle weakness or muscle coordination problems

Other Symptoms:

  • Lightheadedness and dizziness, very fast heartbeat, or shortness of breath during activities.
  • Constant Urinating, nausea, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Low body temperature, cold hands and feet, sweating, or trouble with heat or cold.
  • Worsening of feeling during stress.
  • Weight or appetite change.
  • Depression.

DIAGNOSIS

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is difficult to diagnose.

Your doctor will ask questions on your medical history and perform a physical exam. Other tests may include:

  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
    • Check for inflammation.
  • Blood glucose level.
    • Check for diabetes.
  • Thyroid-stimulating hormone test.
    • Detect problems that affect the thyroid gland.
  • Chemistry panel.
    • General state of health.
  • Urinalysis.
    • Overall health information.

Other tests may include:

  • ANA (antinuclear antibodies).
    • Check for Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Rheumatoid factor.
    • Check for rheumatoid arthritis.
  • HIV test
  • Tests for Lyme disease.
    • Tick exposure
  • Skin test for tuberculosis
  • Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C tests.

 

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

Medicines do not cure chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). But they can help relieve your symptoms.

Medicine choices

Over-the-counter medicines include:

  • Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs

Prescription medicines include:

  • Anticonvulsants (antiseizure medicines)
    • For Nerve Pain
  • Antidepressants
    • to ease depression and anxiety, improve your ability to concentrate, and promote better sleep
  • Narcotics
    • Pain that is not relieved by normal pain medications

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