Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options

It seems as if the instant we turn on the television or radio we are bombarded with pharmaceutical advertisements listing vague symptoms and urging us to take action against conditions we may or may not have all in an effort to market the latest and greatest miracle drugs. The result is a generation of prescription drug consumers, popularly known as Generation RX, who are split along opposite poles of the issue. On one side are those of us who feel that prescription drugs are the answer to all of life’s little ailments. On the other side are those of us who are wary of all the hype.

I must admit that I am one of the skeptics. Therefore, when I heard about a newly emerging syndrome called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome it seemed to me as if the pharmaceutical companies had now resorted to turning fatigue, a common physical response, into a syndrome in order to profit from it.

Outraged, I turned to research and learned that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is in fact a real, widespread and debilitating condition that was first named by a group of physicians in the 1980s. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that half a million people in the United States are currently suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an illness characterized by a profound and prolonged feeling of complete exhaustion. Individuals suffering from this form of chronic fatigue do not recover their strength after resting like the majority of us. A significant characteristic of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is that the sufferer’s symptoms worsen following any form of exertion, whether it be physical or mental, and last for more than a day.

Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The following are ten of the many symptoms that accompany this syndrome. For most people, the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are most severe in the beginning.

1. Chronic fatigue that lasts for more than six months and is not alleviated by rest.
2. Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.
3. Flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat, chronic cough, mild fever, chills, and night sweats.
4. Bowel problems such as irritable bowel, sever abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and bloating.
5. Muscle and joint pain with no swelling present.
6. Psychological problems such as depression, irritability and mood swings.
7. Visual problems such as sensitivity to light, blurry vision, eye pain, or dry eyes.
8. Memory problems often described as “brain fog”. Individuals suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have problems with their short term memory but not their long term memory.
9. Difficulty maintaining an upright position which often appears in the form of dizziness and fainting upon standing.
10. Drastic weight loss or weight gain.

Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Unfortunately, the medical field is not certain as to what causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Most sufferers of this syndrome experience their first symptoms after the onset of a cold, flue or viral infection. The symptoms could also be brought on after a period of high physical or emotional stress. For example, an individual could first begin to experience the chronic fatigue associated with this syndrome after having gone through a painful divorce or become involved in a car accident.

Some recent studies have shown that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be caused by inflammation of pathways in the nervous system, and that this inflammation may be due to some sort of immune response. It is also believed that other factors such as age, environment and genetics play a role in the onset of the syndrome. These theories stem from the fact that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome occurs mostly in women ages thirty to fifty.

Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Currently there is no specific test that reliably diagnoses Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Because of this Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is one of the most misdiagnosed syndromes. Since it closely resembles other illnesses, the first diagnostic step of any doctor should involve a series of tests that rule out other illnesses. Once other disorders or illnesses have been ruled out, the doctor’s next step should be to evaluate the patient’s symptoms according to the Center for Disease Control’s diagnostic criteria.

Treatment Options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

According to the CDC, within five years from the initial onset of symptoms, 50% of Chronic Fatigue sufferers experience a partial or complete recovery, although it is not clear why this happens. Since the causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are unknown, there are also no specific treatments for the syndrome that are 100% effective. Any treatment plans that do exist focus primarily on treating the symptoms and improving the patient’s quality of life. Some of the most commonly used treatment options include:

1. Antiviral drugs to combat hidden infections.
2. Medications to combat the psychological symptoms of the syndrome such as depression.
3. Medications to reduce pain, discomfort and fever.
4. Daily diaries help patients identify the times of the day when they have the most energy.
5. Patient’s are urged to maintain some level of social activity along with mental and physical exercise.
6. Therapy in which patients recognize and express their feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, etc..
7. Those patients whose memories are affected are urged to make lists and keep notes to remind themselves of important things.
8. Patients are urged to eat a healthy diet for this can help minimize symptoms and general discomfort. Patients are urged to avoid heavy meals, alcohol, caffeine, and large quantities of junk food.
9. Look into alternative therapy methods such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, and tai chi.
10. Most importantly remember to pace yourselves both physically, emotionally and intellectually since too much stress can aggravate symptoms.

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