Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition where one feels extreme tiredness and fatigue intermittently or continuously. The patient will not be able to perform daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating etc. which are done without fair muscular energy. The condition will get worsened even if the person tries to walk, to read for a long time or to think. It shows that mental stress also imparts much to CFS.
Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
CFS can be defined as a flu like illness that drains energy from body, inhibiting normal body activities. The intensity of symptoms varies from person to person. In most of the cases, a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome may feel extreme fatigue in one day and will be normal next day. Symptoms of CFS are common to many other diseases that are common and uncommon. So an initial diagnosis will be much difficult within the first six months. In general, symptoms of CFS, that are non-specific, include weakness, muscle soreness, extreme pain in moving joints and is spreading from one joint to other, enlarged and painful lymph nodes, impaired memory and lack of concentration, sore throat, abnormal pattern of headache, insomnia and long lasting muscle fatigue after mental or physical exercise.
According to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group, four to eight symptoms above mentioned along with muscle fatigue lasting six months or more can be considered as CFS. Some of the additional symptoms include pain in abdominal region, chest pain, bloating, allergies to certain foods, alcohol and medicines, dry mouth, diarrhea, cough, nausea and shortness of breath can be of CFS.
Causes of CFS
Even with advanced research facilities and studies, it is not able to find out the actual reason behind chronic fatigue syndrome. It can get started with a bacterial or viral infection. Many of the infections are associated with symptoms of CFS. So it is misleading in many cases. In some cases, prolonged stress on mind can be a reason for initiation of CFS. Infectious mononucleosis can also switch on the condition where energy starts drain out. Research on genetic and environmental factors behind chronic fatigue syndrome is under study and its connection with immune and respiratory system in body. Even though causes like depression, allergies, anemia, hypoglycemia, impaired immune system etc. can be said, there are no research results to prove this. |
