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(Also known as CFS, post-viral fatigue syndrome, benign myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome)
According to the CDC, between 1 and 4 million Americans suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, although only about one half has consulted a physician for the syndrome. In some cases, a person who has CFS may also have a serious underlying illness or disease, which makes early detection and diagnosis so imperative.
As the name suggests, this illness is accompanied with fatigue, but it is not the fatigue you feel from lack of sleep, a busy day, or stress alone. This fatigue is not relieved with eight hours of sleep. Lack of stamina and daily activity levels are severely impacted, and it is actually exacerbated by mental or physical activity. The severity of the illness varies by each person, and some are actually able to lead fairly active lives. Normally, however, their lives, education, and employment are severely limited by the illness.
The most positive examples of therapeutic outcomes are patients who are diagnosed early in the illness, so early detection is imperative. Many of those affected by CFS can go through a remission period, although at those times, many over-exert as they feel so well, and the remission can be short-lived. In fact, post-exertional malaise is a characteristic of the illness.
To receive the diagnosis of CFS, a patient must have symptoms that have persisted or recurred during a six-month period or more, and these symptoms must not have predated the fatigue. To this end, there are two criteria to be met.
1. The medical practitioner must exclude other known medical conditions by clinical diagnosis.
2. The patient must concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms:
a. substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration;
b. sore throat;
c. tender lymph nodes;
d. muscle pain;
e. multi-joint pain without swelling or redness;
f. headaches of a new type, pattern or severity;
g. unrefreshing sleep;
h. post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours.
As the symptoms of CFS are so varied, each patient will require a tailored treatment plan. Health care providers will ask a myriad of questions in an effort to determine which symptoms require primary treatment. The CDC recommends that providers not only treat the illness with minimal pharmacologies but also consider alternative treatments, such as accupuncture, hydrotherapy, nutritional and herbal supplements.
If you are concerned that the above information may apply to you, a family member or a friend we suggest you conduct some additional research and seek the advice, guidance and support of an experienced health care professional. In many cases it will be wise to seek the advice of a TEAM of health care professionals that can support you through the entire process of diagnoses and successful treatment.
In conclusion, the more you know and understand about potential illnesses and their triggers affecting you and your family the more effective you and your health team will be in diagnosing and treating these challenges.
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Disclaimer
The information presented in this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. It is not intended to substitute for the advice, treatment and/or diagnosis of a qualified licensed health professional. Coaches of the Lifestyle Center may not make any medical diagnoses, claims and/or substitute for a health care provider.
The state of knowledge regarding the treatment of patients potentially exposed to hazardous substances in the environment is constantly evolving and is often uncertain. In this educational endeavor we have made a diligent effort to ensure the accuracy and currency of the information presented, but make no claim that it comprehensively addresses all possible situations. This site is intended as an educational resource for individuals and families seeking information that may help them solve difficult health issues. It is not, however, a substitute for the professional judgment of a licensed health professional. The information must be interpreted in light of specific data regarding the patient and in conjunction with other sources of authority.
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