Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Signs Of CFS

Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Contents

• What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
• How Does CFS Progress?

• What is the difference between CFS and Fibromyalgia?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) typically occurs out of the blue and causes flu-like symptoms. But instead of gradually improving after a few days, the symptoms remain for 6 months or longer. Fatigue is the primary symptom of CFS. It may be so severe you can't get out of bed. It is not the same sort of tiredness you feel after a long day at the office. CFS fatigue is constant and is not relieved by rest. It is often worsened by levels of physical activity which previously you would have tolerated without difficulty.

Other Symptoms

In addition you are likely to have a number of other symptoms which last months or are persistently recurrent. The presence of these symptoms are used to diagnose the condition:

• Sore throat
• Chills and night sweats (50 percent of patients)
• Loss of memory or concentration
• Muscles soreness or pain
• Joint pain with no signs of redness or swelling
• Headaches that are different to any sort you had in the past
• Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit or neck
• Sleep problems, you do not wake up feeling refreshed.

Additional Symptoms

Some patients also experience:

• Balance problems, dizziness or fainting spells
• Allergies to food, chemicals or odors
• Sensitivity to light
• Irritability
• Irritable bowel
• Depression although it is not clear if this is caused by CFS or a consequence of the persistent fatigue.

How Does CFS Progress?

The severity of symptoms experienced vary from patient to patient. Some are able to maintain fairly active lifestyles. But for most, it significantly impacts their home, work or school lives for periods of time. Some studies show the CFS can be as disabling as heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

There is no doubt that CFS is a very serious condition. Typically it tends to affect patients in cycles. They will have periods of time when they feel well or even go into complete remission. Eventually most experience a relapse, usually triggered by a period of overexertion, stress or extreme temperatures. No one knows what percentage of CFS patients make a full recovery. What is known however is that the chance of recovery is higher if symptoms are managed sooner rather than later.

For more information, see the following:

• Causes of chronic fatigue syndrome: It is a virus?
• Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome: Tests and criteria.
• Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome: Drugs and alternatives.

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WOMENS HEALTH ADVICE: ABOUT CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
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