Understand Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms are characterized by fatigue that is persistent for six months, a fatigue not caused by exertion or any underlying condition. This medical condition experienced by people is described as debilitating. Meaning the fatigue prevents them from doing their tasks and daily activities. This disorder is caused by a multitude of factors and the single cause still remains unknown. Let us try to know more about this disorder, its symptoms and how it can be treated.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms, Occurrence and Causes
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) affects over 7-3,000 people for every 100,000 adults. Because of the small incidences of the case, it is considered a rare condition. CFS is more commonly seen in women than in men, and is more common in adults than in children. National Health Organizations reveal over 1million Americans and a quarter of people in the UK have this condition.
The exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome remains an enigma for physicians and scientists. However, a lot of them propose a multitude of factors that cause this condition. A combination of genetic, infectious, biological and psychological factors is attributed to the development of this disease. Fatigue is the major complaint and issue in this disease, patients experience fatigue even if they do not do physical activities and even if they do not have other medical conditions. Fatigue leads them unable to do even simple tasks. Genetic factors causing this condition point out to neuronal abnormalities. Brain functions responsible for the regulation of the autonomic nervous system seem to be impaired in people with CFS. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for regulating blood pressure in the body. In CFS, blood pressure changes radically when the patient stands up. Instead of a normal blood distribution throughout the body, blood pools in the lower extremities reducing blood supply to the brain and the heart. A decrease blood supply in the brain causes the feeling of fatigue. Psychological factors such as depression and other illness behaviors are also attributed in the development of CFS.
The Onset Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
The onset of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms is “sudden” and resembles symptoms similar to flu. In most cases the disease starts within months of severe stress. To be diagnosed as chronic fatigues syndrome, the patient must exhibit chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms under the following criteria. (According to the CDC)
One criteria is the onset of unexplained fatigue that is persistent and not caused by physical exertion, and cannot be relieved by rest. The onset must be new (not lifelong), and causes a significant decrease in previous activities.
Patient must exhibit four or more of the following for 6 months or longer:
• Headaches
• Malaise after exertion (whether physical or mental), and exertions result to extreme, persistent (prolonged) sickness and exhaustion
• Muscle pains
• Fatigue even after sleep
• Joint pains
• Frequent or recurring sore throats
• Painful lymph nodes upon palpation
Other Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms also include:
• Changes in the gastrointestinal system such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating and an irritable bowel
• Night sweats and chills
• Chronic cough and difficulty of breathing
• Visual impairments such as blurring of vision, photosensitivity, eye pain and dryness
• Dizziness when in an upright position
• Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure when standing)
• Syncope
• Mood changes, irritability, depression and panic attacks
Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms also resemble that of other diseases, and so it is important to consult with a physician when these symptoms are felt in order to rule out other treatable diseases such as depression, sleep disorders, Lyme disease, hypothyroidism, etc.
Treatments For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is treated with a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, graded exercise therapy, pacing, antidepressants and immune modulating agents. Cognitive behavioral therapy aims to help patients with chronic fatigues syndrome by helping them understand their symptoms and develop interventions that would help them deal with the condition on a daily basis. In cognitive behavioral therapy, the patients themselves discover the factors cause their condition and the interventions they can do to manage graded exercise therapy and pacing is also incorporated in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. The aim of these exercise regimens is to restore function by gradually increasing their activities to achieve a state of tolerance. Energy saving strategies is also employed to help the patients deal with chronic fatigue. Other treatments include the use of antidepressants and immune agents to relieve the symptoms. The prognosis of those with chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms is good following treatment, with only 10% of adults returning to their previous disease condition.