Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Although doctors are beginning to learn more about this mysterious illness, its causes, treatment, and even legitimacy as a distinct disease are still debated in medical circles. CFS began to gain notoriety in the United States in the 1980s, primarily striking women in their 30s and 40s, and usually targeting those with higher educations and socioeconomic backgrounds. Since then, doctors have diagnosed CFS in people of all ages, genders, and races.

Causes

The cause of CFS remains unknown, but major suspects include disorders in the immune system, injuries of the central nervous system, and viral infection. Many patients report having an infection just before the onset of CSF, and some doctors think that viruses such as Epstein-Barr and human herpes virus may lead to CSF. Another potential culprit is a condition known as neurally mediated hypotension. People with this problem suffer a dramatic drop in blood pressure after a few minutes on their feet, developing many of the symptoms of chronic fatigue.

Signs/Symptoms

The most common symptom of CFS is a debilitating fatigue that cuts routine activity in half, doesn't improve with bed rest, and lasts for at least six months. Many additional symptoms mimic the flu and include swelling of the lymph nodes, sore throat, muscle aches, pain that moves from one joint to another without swelling or redness, and headache. You may also suffer psychological symptoms, including memory loss, confusion, inability to concentrate, irritability, and sleep disturbances.

Care

There is no standard treatment for CFS. The doctor can prescribe remedies for symptoms such as headaches and muscle pain, but there is no proven way to relieve the fatigue. When the disease comes on suddenly, it typically clears up on its own after six months to a year. If it develops gradually, it may hang on longer.

Fatigue can also result from a wide variety of other disorders, ranging from diabetes and anemia to AIDS. If your doctor finds that your symptoms are due to such a problem, he or she will direct your treatment towards the underlying disorder. Once the cause is under control, your fatigue should subside.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• Keep yourself as healthy as possible, both mentally and physically. Talk with your doctor about diet, exercise, stress management, and other measures to help you cope with CFS.
• Stick to a healthy, balanced diet. A diet low in fat and high in fiber that includes an abundance of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains with only a limited amount of dairy and beef products seems to help many sufferers. Before drastically changing your nutritional intake, however, talk with your doctor or a nutritionist about designing a diet specifically for your needs.
• Reduce your intake of alcohol and foods and drinks that contain a large amount of caffeine, such as coffee and soft drinks.
• Participate in some form of exercise at least once or twice per week. Although it may be difficult to embark on an exercise program at first, regular exercise improves functioning, enhances sleep quality, and balances mood swings. Start off slowly and increase your exercise time gradually. For example, doctors often recommend regular walks. Even if you start with only five minutes a day, it still will help. Ask your doctor which forms of exercise are best for you personally.
• Get at least seven hours of sleep each night and nap during the day if you feel tired.
• Prioritize your activities each day. This will help you manage stress and anxiety. Do your most important or difficult tasks when you have the energy, typically earlier in the day when your energy level is usually higher.
• Learn to control stress by adopting new ways to relax, such as deep breathing exercises, muscle relaxing techniques, meditation, or yoga.
• Join a local support group. Talking with others experiencing the same type of problems may also help.

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