Chronic fatigue syndrome is a relatively common illness characterized by extreme fatigue that may worsen with physical activity but not improve with rest. Mental activity such as studying for an upcoming exam can also trigger symptoms of CFS. It can affect individuals of all ages but is most common in people over the age of 40 and more often reported by women than men.
Along with excessive fatigue or exhaustion that can make it impossible to accomplish your daily goals, CFS can also cause:
The symptoms associated with CFS may cause secondary issues such as:
Researchers believe that several factors may lead to CFS, including:
There are other factors that may also contribute to CFS, such as:
Diagnosing CFS includes ruling out certain medical conditions that can cause fatigue, such as diabetes and anemia. Depression may be a symptom of chronic fatigue, but it’s also known to cause fatigue, and your physician may consider that as an underlying cause of your CFS-like symptoms. You can also expect your physician to ask questions about your nutritional habits, activity levels, and social relationships to help identify possible reasons for your fatigue.
Along with a careful and detailed review of your medical history, various blood tests and other diagnostic studies can help determine if your fatigue is a result of another medical condition or actually CFS. The results of these diagnostic studies also help your doctor determine what treatment is most effective for CFS, which often requires a multi-pronged approach.
CFS requires a patient-centered, integrative treatment plan that emphasizes overall health and may include:
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