Chronic fatigue syndrome is a type of disorder in which a person experiences chronic tiredness or extreme fatigue. Someone with chronic fatigue syndrome may find that their fatigue becomes worse with mental or physical activity and does not improve even when they rest. Beyond feeling always tired the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome can often be difficult to measure. Because of this, this condition was not accepted widely as an actual medical condition for many years. While it is often difficult to pinpoint an underlying cause for this condition, through a variety of treatments, some patients who are always tired are able to overcome chronic fatigue syndrome with time.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome may experience many different symptoms. These symptoms can come and go and may not even have an identifiable pattern. There are eight official symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. The most common or central symptom to this condition is chronic tiredness. The person may simply feel always tired. Other common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include loss of memory or concentration, unexplained muscle pain, sore throat, painful lymph nodes or slightly enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits or neck. Other symptoms include pain that moves from joint to joint, headaches, sleep that is not restful and extreme exhaustion that lasts more than 24 hours following mental or physical exercise.
Additional symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include abdominal pain, bloating, allergies, chest pain, dizziness, diarrhea, dry mouth, jaw pain, irregular heartbeat, earache, dry mouth, nausea, morning stiffness, night sweats, chills, depression, anxiety disorders, tingling sensations, weight loss or gain and visual disturbances. One of the problems with diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome is that the numerous symptoms associated with this disorder can be similar to or mimic the symptoms of other illnesses, including viral infections. The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome can last for many years and can come and go.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes
One of the most common questions about chronic fatigue syndrome is what causes chronic tiredness and fatigue. There are many different types of chronic illnesses in existence today, but the most mysterious is chronic fatigue syndrome. There are several possible causes that have been proposed for chronic tiredness which include depression, low blood sugar, iron deficiency anemia, a history of allergies, dysfunction in the immune system, viral infections, changes in hormone levels associated with the adrenal glands, pituitary glands or hypothalamus, chronic low blood pressure and autoimmune disorders.
Women have reported they are always tired more often than men, although currently gender has not been proven as a risk factor for chronic tiredness. People in their 40s and 50s have also reported chronic tiredness more often; however, people of all ages can be always tired. At this time environmental factors have not been definitively proven to play a role in chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic tiredness.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
At this time there is not a specific treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic tiredness. Generally, doctors attempt to relieve the symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic tiredness by using a combination of various treatments. One treatment that is commonly used is moderating daily activity so that patients are not always tired. Avoiding excessive psychological and physical stress is an important part of eliminating chronic tiredness. Patients who are always tired may also be advised to attend cognitive behavior therapy as well as to begin an exercise program that is gradual but steady. Many patients with chronic fatigue syndrome who are always tired are also frequently depressed so it is important for the depression to be treated as well. Many prescription medications are available to treat depression. In addition, patients who are always tired and suffer from chronic tiredness may be prescribed medications for treating existing pain as well as any sleep problems they may have.
In many cases, patients who are always tired may also suffer from frequent allergy symptoms so it’s important to treat the allergies as well. If a patient with chronic tiredness has low blood pressure that must also be treated. Finally, a patient who is always tired may need to be treated for problems related to the nervous system, which can result in symptoms such as skin tenderness and dizziness. Certain medications can be used to treat these symptoms.
The road to recovery for someone who is always tired and who suffers from chronic tiredness can be long and difficult, but many people have recovered. In some instances rehab centers can be helpful by treating the many underlying conditions that are commonly associated with this condition and providing patients with support from others who understand what they are going through.
Many individuals who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome also suffer from fibromyalgia or have been misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue as a result of actually having fibromyalgia. More information about fibromyalgia.
