Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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Chronic fatigue syndrome is a serious and debilitating condition that is one of the most common chronic illnesses today. Chronic fatigue is often misunderstood. There is misperception that people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome are mearly "tired" or that it's all in their head. Friends and family members often have a difficult time understanding that a person who is suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome is really ill, which can be very frustrating and difficult for the person who has chronic fatigue. They may feel like no one understands how tired they really are, or they may themselves begin to believe that it is all in their head and start wondering what is really wrong with them.

Though very misunderstood and under-diagnosed, chronic fatigue syndrome is a legitimate illness that is defined and recongnized by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). According to the CDC, over 1 million Americans suffer from chronic fatigue. They list the following as symptoms of the condition:

Extreme fatigue. This fatigue is not the same as a person would feel if they had a busy or stressful day and were healthy. Instead, it is a severe, debilitating fatigue that doesn't get better with sleep or bedrest.  This fatigue causes a steep decline in both the stamina and activity level of the person affected.

If a person has had extreme fatigue for a period of 6 months or longer, and also has other symptoms characteristic of the syndrome, a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome should be considered. The other common symptoms besides fatigue are:

• unrefreshing sleep
• impaired memory or concentration
• joint pain (with or without swelling)
• headaches (often more severe or different than past headaches)
• muscle pain
• sore or tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
• sore throat
• exhaustion and an increase in symptoms lasting longer than 24 hours after a period of mental or physical exercise.

Other symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrom are:

• weight loss or weight gain
• irritable bowel, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain
• brain fog
• chills and night sweats
• chronic cough
• shortness of breath
• visual disturbances
• allergies or sensitivities to food
• difficulty staying in an upright position
• jaw pain
• psychological problems (depression, mood swings, irritablility, anxiety)

A person who thinks they may be suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome should see their doctor and discuss what tests and treatment options are available.