Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

Characteristic of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complex disorder with its main characteristic being extreme fatigue that cannot be explained by any specific underlying medical condition.

Clinically, medications are only available to control the symptoms and not to cure the condition. It is an illness that creates physical and emotional struggles, and can lead to disability.

Diagnosing CFS is quite difficult because symptoms often mimic other conditions and illnesses. There is no single test to diagnose CFS. When you begin to find yourself tired, day after day and your fatigue does not go away, it is time to take notice that something may be wrong.

Close monitoring of your physical symptoms, daily activity and sleep levels are necessary to help your doctor rule out other health problems.

CFS Symptoms

Aside from its central symptom, which is how chronic fatigue syndrome derives its name, the disorder has eight official symptoms, which are:

  • Fatigue
  • Impaired concentration or memory
  • Profound exhaustion lasting more than 24 hours after mental or physical exercise
  • Unrefreshing sleep
  • Headache of a new type, severity or pattern Joint pain that travels from one joint to another without redness or swelling
  • Unexplained muscle pain
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Sore throat

With CFS, individuals can suffer a number of flu-like symptoms including nausea, chronic cough, headaches, and muscle aches. Irritable bowel syndrome may develop, sleep can become unreshing and lymph nodes in the armpits or neck can become tender.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder that can be devastating. From day to day, CFS is unpredictable and constantly changing. Day to day planning is tough, as individuals do not have the comfort of knowing if “next” week they will have energy and feel active. CFS suffers also experience a great deal of negativity from those around them who do not understand the illness, which adds more emotional strain in their lives. Individuals must allow themselves rest time to help with the physical exhaustion and emotions experienced with CFS. Individuals must “listen” to their body, as not all days they will be able to perform their daily functions.

With fatigue, which is the main characteristic of the disorder, the illness is not easily diagnosed as there are many overlapping illnesses, such as psychological disorders or infections. Doctors first rule out other conditions and illnesses. There is no blood test or brain scan to diagnose CFS, and it is necessary for doctors and patients to closely monitor symptoms. CFS may be a result of several factors. Some factors that have been studied include:

  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Immune system problems
  • Viral infections

Individuals who suffer fatigue that is persistent or excessive do need to see their doctor. Although traditionally there had been no cure for CFS, a ground-breaking guide has recently been released by Jennifer Nolan, a health consultant, nutrition expert, and former CFS patient. This guide is backed by scientific evidence and provides an all-natural approach for curing CFS that has been effective in over 95% of the patients. Nolan is currently offering a no-questions-asked money back guarantee for anyone who is not satisfied with their results; click here to read more about this amazing offer.