Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition by which one feels extreme tiredness or fatigue so that he or she may not be able to perform routine works which needs only minimum muscular energy. It is more prevalent among Americans and the symptoms of this illness vary in different individuals. In some, there may be extreme fatigue in a day and will be normal in the next day. Symptoms of this illness resemble many other diseases initially and so it very hard to diagnose in early stages. The disease will be confirmed in patients with four to eight symptoms with high fatigue persisting more than 6 months.
Even with advancement in research and clinical facilities, it is not able find out the basic reason behind this disease. There are no tests available to confirm or specific to chronic fatigue syndrome. No specific physical signs are noticed in CFS patients. According to the research studies conducted by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not more than 20% of patients with CFS have been diagnosed in U.S. so far, tests and diagnosis can rule out certain diseases like multiple sclerosis, disease affecting thyroid gland, depression Lyme disease and mononucleosis that resembles CFS in some of the symptoms. So the diagnostic method relies on exclusion of other diseases. The symptoms that a doctor diagnose to rule out the chance of CFS are:
- use of any medicine that cause fatigue
- finding any active and exact reason for fatigue
- Is having or had any kind of psychiatric illness
- Extensive alcoholism
- Is the patient morbidly obese
Treatment Methods for CFS
Due to failure in identifying exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, the treatment methods are also not specific. At present, doctors are treating to relieve symptoms and to improve the situation. Doctors are not able to suggest any single therapy in any field of medicine. A combination of drugs and non-drug treatments are suggested. It includes changes in lifestyles and some are:
- To stop or reduce activities that sum up tension and stress to life. It will be better to review the activities in a week and to check which made more tensed. Help of an occupational therapist will also make things better.
- Doing exercise regularly will reduce body pain and aches and increases muscle strength. Before starting exercise, consult a doctor to get an expert opinion.
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