Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a syndrome of unknown and possibly multiple etiologies, affecting the central nervous system, immune, and many other systems and organs. There is no simple diagnostic test; CFS is a diagnosis of exclusion, although recent research indicates biological hallmarks of the syndrome, and a diagnostic test is predicted soon. Most definitions require a number of features, the most common being severe mental and physical exhaustion or depletion which is "unrelieved by rest", and is often worsened by even trivial exertion. CFS occurs more often, but not exclusively, in women, for unknown reasons. CFS is most easily diagnosed when formerly active adults become ill, and is most commonly diagnosed in young to middle aged adults, although it is also reported, albeit less commonly, in adolescents and the elderly.

Patients with this diagnosis may report many other symptoms which are far more wide-ranging than these research diagnostic criteria, including: muscle weakness, loss of brain function, hypersensitivity, orthostatic intolerance, digestive disturbances, depression, immune system weakness, and cardiac and respiratory problems. However, these symptoms may represent comorbid or overlapping conditions rather than ME/CFS itself. These symptoms, like the syndrome's hallmark 'fatigue', range from mild to severe. Some cases resolve or improve over time, and where available, treatments bring a degree of improvement to many others. Most diagnostic criteria insist that the symptoms must be present for at least six months, and all insist on there being no other cause for the fatigue: i.e. the fatigue must be idiopathic, not caused by conditions such as radiation treatment for cancer, or diabetes. CFS remains a controversial diagnosis, and even its terminology and classification are controversial. Recently, genetics and stress have been found to be factors in the development of CFS.

...More at Wikipedia

Related Links:

• CFIDS Association of America
• US National Library of Medicine
• Mayo Clinic

Recent Hope Cube Blog Entries For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Some healing tips for CFS Sun, October 07, 2007 - [view]
  To overcome Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, don't eat anything out of packages, eat real stuff from nature, and make vegetable juices (carrot-celery for starters). Stop caring for others and care for yourSelf. Stop doing things that you don't have energy to do. Make life simpler. You might try BarleyLife from AIM For Life (or cheaper alternative barleygrass juice powder and powdered dulse from Pacifical Botanicals www.pacificbotanics.com is a good substitute to boost thyroid function). Know that even if what you are going through doesn't show up on a test (and it probably won't), that you must continue to seek answers. Learn to live life for the little moments and stop striving to be perfect.&...
• Another Day In Bed Story Sat, September 01, 2007 - [view]
  I wrote this post on my Fighting Fatigue blog a few weeks ago and I wanted to post it here so that hopefully people will understand better what this illness is like for us suffering.You can also read the post at this link by clicking here.I still am not feeling well today. The exhaustion is overwhelming. I had to go to the store for some things and as soon as I returned home, I fell asleep. So from 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. I slept. I hate missing out on my days and sleeping them away. My body doesn’t really give me any other choice though. My son was feeling better, so he was at grandma’s house today. I haven’t been able to exercise because the exhaustion has been too bad. I keep having these hot flashes, then cold chills, and I haven’t decided yet if it is from so...
• CFS Flare Mon, August 27, 2007 - [view]
  I am having a CFS flare today.  I didn't sleep well last night because I was worried about my son starting Kindergarten today and of course, as a mother to an only child, I spent a lot of that time crying. Now I feel like crap and my symptoms are acting up big time.  Warning to those out there with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:  beware of any kind of stress at all.  It's just so damaging for us.Fighting Fatigue
• I do not have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Mon, August 20, 2007 - [view]
  Went to the doctor today and he said I do not have chronic fatigue syndrome. He said my fatigue and lack of energy is most likely due to diabetes. Though based on his response, he seems to think CFS does not exist.
• How Do I Know If I Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Wed, August 15, 2007 - [view]
  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a very debilitating, chronic illness that has had physicians and patients alike confused for over 20 years. Although CFS sufferers are being taken more seriously now, thanks to major changes in awareness, there are still many doctors who believe that this illness doesn't exist. Someone with chronic fatigue is not just "tired". Tired doesn't even begin to describe what we feel. It is a total and complete exhaustion that leaves us helpless at times. Too exhausted to even take a shower, cook a meal, or play with our children. Have you thought that maybe you possibly have CFS? There is a questionnaire on CFIDS.org that you can take to see if you fit the CFS criteria. After answering these questions, and if you fit many of the criteria, you need to b...