Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
How do I know if I might have chronic
fatigue syndrome?
If you answer yes to any of the
questions listed below, you may have chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS), which is also called chronic fatigue immune dysfunction
syndrome (CFIDS).
-
Have you been tired (fatigued)
for a long time--more than 6 months--even though you are
getting enough rest and are not working too hard?
-
Has your doctor been unable to
find illnesses that could explain your symptoms?
-
Are you able to do less than
half of what you used to do because you feel
tired?
-
Have you had problems that keep
coming back or don't go away for 6 months or more with four
or more of the following signs and symptoms?
- Sore throat
- Tender or painful lymph
nodes in neck or armpits
- Unexplained muscle soreness
- Pain that moves from joint
to joint but doesn't include redness or swelling
- Headaches that are different
from the kind you usually get or headaches that make your
whole head hurt
- Trouble with short-term
memory or concentration
- Feeling tired for more than
24 hours after exercise that didn't bother you before
- Trouble sleeping
People with CFS may have other
symptoms as well.
What causes chronic fatigue syndrome?
No one is certain about what
causes CFS. The symptoms may be caused by an immune system
that isn't working well. Or they may be caused by some kind of
virus. Researchers are looking for the cause of CFS.
How is chronic fatigue syndrome treated?
The first step is to see if there
is a medical cause for your fatigue. Your doctor will probably
want to review your symptoms and medical history, and give you
a physical exam. Your doctor may also want to do some blood
tests, but lab testing is not often helpful.
Some of the symptoms, such as
muscle aches, sleep problems, anxiety and depression, can be
treated with medicine. The medicine can only reduce your
symptoms and allow you to be more active, not cure the
fatigue. So far, there is no medicine that cures the entire
syndrome. Most symptoms improve with time.
How can I help myself?
- Keep a daily diary to identify
times when you have the most energy. Plan your activities
for these times.
- Keep up some level of activity
and exercise, within your abilities. Your doctor can help
you plan an exercise program to maintain your strength at
whatever level is possible. Exercise can help your body and
mind.
- Give yourself permission to
recognize and express your feelings, such as sadness, anger
and frustration. You need to grieve for the energy you have
lost.
- Ask for support from family
and friends. Look for support groups or counseling in your
community. Your doctor is another important source of help.
Emotional support is important in coping with a chronic
health problem.
- If your memory and
concentration are affected by chronic fatigue, keep lists
and make notes to remind yourself of important things. Also,
give yourself more time for activities that take
concentration. Medicine may also help you sleep better,
which might improve your memory and
concentration.
How can my doctor help?
Your doctor can work with you to
provide symptom relief and to help you find ways of coping
with the way CFS changes your life. Chronic fatigue affects
you physically, emotionally and socially. When you address all
of these factors, you have the best chance of adjusting to
your illness and feeling more satisfied with your life.
If you have CFS, a good long-term
relationship with your doctor helps. This
relationship can be the key to helping you
feel less frustrated.
Other Organizations
National CFIDS Foundation,
Inc.
http://www.ncf-net.org
103 Aletha Road
Needham, MA
02492
781-449-3535
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention National Center for Infectious
Diseases
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cfs/index.htm
Chronic Fatigue and Immune
Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America
http://www.cfids.org
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
and Fibromyalgia Association
http://www.ncfsfa.org
