Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
(CFS)

Fibromyalgia Slideshow

• What is chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)?
• How does chronic fatigue syndrome begin, and what are the symptoms?
• Who gets chronic fatigue syndrome?
• How many people have chronic fatigue syndrome?
• What causes chronic fatigue syndrome?
• How is chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosed?
• The chronic fatigue syndrome case definition
• How can I cope with and manage the chronic fatigue syndrome?
• Conclusion

Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome One Patient's Story By Angela Generoso Staff Writer, MedicineNet.com Reviewed by William Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR At 21 years of age, Sarah Jones* felt like she was falling apart. Once an energetic cheerleader and member of a professional dance team, full of energy and life, Jones gradually found herself bedridden and unable to work. As time went on she became more confused as to why she was feeling constantly tired. Then one day a friend of hers, who was a nurse, asked if she had ever heard of chronic fatigue syndrome. "My doctor back then didn't believe in chronic fatigue syndrome," Jones says. "It was still up in the air; people didn't believe it existed. I think it's better now, but back then it wasn't." Jones found herself undergoing a series of tests, and when they were finished, she was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, a disease which inhibits people from performing everyday activities due to severe tiredness. Although the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is still unknown, doctors can diagnose it by ruling out other possible causes of fatigue. *Name has been changed. Read on as Sarah changes her diet in an effort to cure her symptoms » Top Searched Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Terms: Epstein Barr, CFIDS, managing

What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

We all get tired. Many of us at times have felt depressed. But the mystery known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is not like the normal ups and downs we experience in everyday life. The early sign of this illness is a strong and noticeable fatigue that comes on suddenly and often comes and goes or never stops. You feel too tired to do normal activities or are easily exhausted with no apparent reason. Unlike the mind fog of a serious hangover, to which researchers have compared chronic fatigue syndrome, the profound weakness of chronic fatigue syndrome does not go away with a few good nights of sleep. Instead, it slyly steals your energy and vigor over months and sometimes years.

How does chronic fatigue syndrome begin, and what are chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms?

For many people, chronic fatigue syndrome begins after a bout with a cold, bronchitis, hepatitis, or an intestinal bug. For some, it follows a bout of infectious mononucleosis, or mono, which temporarily saps the energy of many teenagers and young adults. Often, people say that their illnesses started during a period of high stress. In others, chronic fatigue syndrome develops more gradually, with no clear illness or other event starting it.

Unlike flu symptoms, which usually go away in a few days or weeks, chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms either hang on or come and go frequently for more than six months. Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms include:

• Headache
• Tender lymph nodes
• Fatigue and weakness
• Muscle and joint aches
• Inability to concentrate

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Fibromyalgia - Find out about fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes pain and stiffness of the tendons, muscles, and joints. Fibromyalgia patients have an unusually low pain threshold. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include fatigue, abnormal sleep, mental/emotional disturbances, abdominal pain, migraine and tension headaches, and irritable bladder. Treatment of fibromyalgia involves patient education, medication, exercise, and stress reduction. Source:MedicineNet Chronic Pain - Chronic pain persists over a long period of time and is resistant to most medical treatments. Source:Government Read 32 more Chronic Fatigue Syndrome related articles ... Stomach Virus Could Trigger CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Linked to Hormone Steroid for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Tired All the Time? Step It Up Health Highlights: Nov. 14, 2007 CDC: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 'Real' Happy Marriage Eases Wife's Workday Tension Childhood Trauma Raises CFS Risk