Chronic fatigue syndrome is a health condition that is characterized by extreme and generally debilitating fatigue in those who are diagnosed with the disorder. The disorder has also been dubbed the 'yuppie illness' since its most pronounced claim to fame was the unusual number of people from the social, historical era of the mid 70's and 80's that seemed to contract the illness. Many who presented with the disorder during that time were seemingly those who lived a fast paced, aggressive lifestyle denoted by successful careers, middle class or better incomes and who were highly educated. Researchers have still to pinpoint the exact cause of chronic fatigue and everything from a virus to a perfectionist personality has been suspected as the culprit.
Even though there is no hard data to explicitly link the illness to any particular cause, the fact remains that thousands are affected by the particularly serious symptoms of CFS and can hardly function in daily life due to its ravages. Chronic fatigue syndrome causes unusual tiredness and weakness in patients who also cannot find relief with more rest. The illness does not result from overwork contrary to some assumptions. It does, however, cause a significant drop in the daily ability to function in normal situations and can severely hinder a person's career, family relationships, responsibilities, and life in general. Other symptoms include lack of mental concentration and acuity. Pain in the muscles and joints compound the unusual and constant tiredness that a person lives with daily.
Those who have CFS may also experience a sore throat and tender points about the neck and under the arms where the lymph nodes are located. Headaches can often accompany the other symptoms as well. The severity of symptoms for chronic fatigue syndrome may vary from person to person as well as change over time in an individual. CFS can be as extremely debilitating as lupus, multiple sclerosis, or other serious conditions. A patient is generally diagnosed with the disorder when he or she has continued symptoms over a six month period. It is usually diagnosed also after all other possible illnesses that cause similar symptoms are ruled out. Although there are no proven causes of the illness, it is suspected by researchers and medical professionals that there is a link between immune dysfunction and the disorder. The Epstein Bar virus which is the culprit in causing mononucleosis is believed to be a possible causative factor in some who develop the condition. While many people carry the virus in their blood system, some people seem to react to its presence with severe fatigue and other serious symptoms.
Some correlation is also drawn between illnesses such as fibromyalgia and allergic sensitivities since many people who have chronic fatigue also develop these health problems. Since there is no scientifically proven cause for the condition, treatments are generally targeted at minimizing the worst symptoms and supporting the body's overall functions. Relief can be found through lifestyle changes that include diet, rest, stress reduction, pain therapy, and the use of some medications for inflammation. Some patients have resorted to natural therapies that include a strict regimen of supplements that are intended to strengthen the immune system and inhibit viruses. The antioxidants A, C, E and selenium are the most frequently used for this purpose.
Herbs such as Echinacea, used to strengthen immune function and Golden Seal, taken for its antibiotic properties, are also commonly used by naturalists to address chronic fatigue syndrome. Recovery from CFS can be slow and may require a patient to remain at home most of the time. Some people can recover enough at some point to be able to return to work and to conduct a fairly normal lifestyle even though some symptoms may remain. Chronic fatigue can affect anyone and has been diagnosed in all age groups, ethnicities, and both genders. However, the illness is found in four times the number of women as men. More people develop the condition in their 40's or 50's than any other age group. CFS is not relegated to any area of the world since people from all over the globe have been diagnosed with it in recent years.
There are many other difficulties that patients with CFS deal with other than the pain, fatigue and mental fogginess that so commonly plagues them. The difficulties imposed on them as well as their families through sometimes loss of careers, living homebound and isolated from much of normal, social interaction can wreak havoc on relationships if there is not a genuine commitment and understanding within a family group. Sufferers of chronic fatigue often deal with guilt, anger and fear because of resulting problems which in turn adds more stress to a weakened body. "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble: and he knoweth them that trust in him." (Nahum 1:7) Victims of chronic fatigue syndrome may need not only medical assistance, but also the help of support groups and Christian counselors who can provide hope and encouragement from those who are making life work in spite of the same difficulties.
Even though there is no hard data to explicitly link the illness to any particular cause, the fact remains that thousands are affected by the particularly serious symptoms of CFS and can hardly function in daily life due to its ravages. Chronic fatigue syndrome causes unusual tiredness and weakness in patients who also cannot find relief with more rest. The illness does not result from overwork contrary to some assumptions. It does, however, cause a significant drop in the daily ability to function in normal situations and can severely hinder a person's career, family relationships, responsibilities, and life in general. Other symptoms include lack of mental concentration and acuity. Pain in the muscles and joints compound the unusual and constant tiredness that a person lives with daily.
Those who have CFS may also experience a sore throat and tender points about the neck and under the arms where the lymph nodes are located. Headaches can often accompany the other symptoms as well. The severity of symptoms for chronic fatigue syndrome may vary from person to person as well as change over time in an individual. CFS can be as extremely debilitating as lupus, multiple sclerosis, or other serious conditions. A patient is generally diagnosed with the disorder when he or she has continued symptoms over a six month period. It is usually diagnosed also after all other possible illnesses that cause similar symptoms are ruled out. Although there are no proven causes of the illness, it is suspected by researchers and medical professionals that there is a link between immune dysfunction and the disorder. The Epstein Bar virus which is the culprit in causing mononucleosis is believed to be a possible causative factor in some who develop the condition. While many people carry the virus in their blood system, some people seem to react to its presence with severe fatigue and other serious symptoms.
Some correlation is also drawn between illnesses such as fibromyalgia and allergic sensitivities since many people who have chronic fatigue also develop these health problems. Since there is no scientifically proven cause for the condition, treatments are generally targeted at minimizing the worst symptoms and supporting the body's overall functions. Relief can be found through lifestyle changes that include diet, rest, stress reduction, pain therapy, and the use of some medications for inflammation. Some patients have resorted to natural therapies that include a strict regimen of supplements that are intended to strengthen the immune system and inhibit viruses. The antioxidants A, C, E and selenium are the most frequently used for this purpose.
Herbs such as Echinacea, used to strengthen immune function and Golden Seal, taken for its antibiotic properties, are also commonly used by naturalists to address chronic fatigue syndrome. Recovery from CFS can be slow and may require a patient to remain at home most of the time. Some people can recover enough at some point to be able to return to work and to conduct a fairly normal lifestyle even though some symptoms may remain. Chronic fatigue can affect anyone and has been diagnosed in all age groups, ethnicities, and both genders. However, the illness is found in four times the number of women as men. More people develop the condition in their 40's or 50's than any other age group. CFS is not relegated to any area of the world since people from all over the globe have been diagnosed with it in recent years.
There are many other difficulties that patients with CFS deal with other than the pain, fatigue and mental fogginess that so commonly plagues them. The difficulties imposed on them as well as their families through sometimes loss of careers, living homebound and isolated from much of normal, social interaction can wreak havoc on relationships if there is not a genuine commitment and understanding within a family group. Sufferers of chronic fatigue often deal with guilt, anger and fear because of resulting problems which in turn adds more stress to a weakened body. "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble: and he knoweth them that trust in him." (Nahum 1:7) Victims of chronic fatigue syndrome may need not only medical assistance, but also the help of support groups and Christian counselors who can provide hope and encouragement from those who are making life work in spite of the same difficulties.
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