Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can be a debilitating, complex disorder. It is often characterized by profound fatigue that does not improve with bed rest and symptoms may worsen by physical or mental activity. This illness is also known as chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), and outside the U.S. it is usually known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).

In the past the syndrome has been known as chronic Epstein-Barr virus (CEBV). Those with chronic fatigue syndrome usually function at a lower level of activity then they were capable of before the onset of the illness. Patients also report various other symptoms including weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, insomnia, and fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. In some cases, chronic fatigue syndrome can last for years. The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome had not been identified and there are no diagnostic tests available. Before a CFS diagnosis is made, illnesses with incapacitating fatigue as a symptom must be excluded and/or treated first.

Articles Relating to Chronic Fatigue: Fibromyalgia, RA, Lupus and Chronic Fatigue ~ Online Support for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Optimize ~ Formula Highlights ~ Dosage Information ~ Ingredients

Nite-Rest ~ Formula Highlights ~ Dosage Information ~  Ingredients

Debate surrounds the issue of how to define chronic fatigue syndrome. Therefore, in 1994, and international panel of CFS research experts drafted a definition that would be useful to researchers studying the illness and to those clinicians diagnosing it. In order to receive a diagnosis, a person must satisfy two criteria. First he/she must have severe chronic fatigue for 6 months or longer along with four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, multi joint pain without swelling or redness, headaches of a new type, pattern or severity, unreflecting sleep, and post-exert ional malaise lasting more than 24 hours.

Natural Cure for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

In addition to the primary eight symptoms, a number of other symptoms have been reported to occur 20-50 percent of the time by some patients who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. These include abdominal pain, alcohol intolerance, chest pain, bloating, chronic cough, diarrhea, dizziness, dry eyes or mouth, earaches, irregular heartbeat, jaw pain, morning stiffness, nausea, night sweats, psychological problems, shortness of breath, tingling sensations, and weight loss.

The severity of symptoms can differ widely among people and will vary over time for the same patient. Severity can very between getting unusually fatigued after a stressful event, to being totally bed ridden and completely disabled. Symptoms tend to wax and wane over time.

The cause of this illness is not yet known. Current theories include the possibilities of neuroendocrine dysfunction, viruses, environmental toxins, genetic predisposition, or a combination of these. For awhile it was thought that the Epstein-Barr virus, the cause of mononucleosis, might cause chronic fatigue syndrome, but recent research has discounted that idea. The illness seems to prompt a chronic immune reaction in the body. A recent concept is that CFS is a generalized condition which may have any of several causes. Current research continues to investigate possible viral causes such as HHV-6, herpes, enterovinoses. Finally, co-factors such as predisposition, stress, environment, gender, age and prior illness play an important role in the development and course of the illness.

There are a number of illnesses that have similar symptoms of CFS including fibromyalgia, myalgic encephalomyelitis, neurasthenia, multiple chemical sensitivities and chronic mononucleosis. Chronic fatigue is commonly associated with all of them. In addition, there are a large number of clinically treatable illnesses that can result in fatigue. These include hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, major depressive disorders, chronic mononucleosis, bipolar affective disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, cancer, auto immune disease, hormonal disorders, sub acute infections, obesity, alcohol and substance abuse, and reactions to prescribed medications.

Get Rid of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue for Good

Although it is slowly increasing in acceptance, many clinicians are unconvinced that chronic fatigue syndromes a genuine illness. Reluctance is due to the fact that no specific cause has been found, there is no observable marker that doctors can use to specifically identify the illness, and most doctors are not yet familiar with the peer-viewed research which does tend to legitimize this disease. New illnesses usually go through a period of many years before they are accepted by the medical community. During this interim period, patients are often dismissed as being “psychiatric cases”. Few studies address the question if CFS is a real disease. Several show that 70-80 percent of chronic fatigue patients are women. Some studies indicate that CFS is less common among lower income people and minorities, but it is also noted that the average patient sees so many doctors before they can get diagnosed, that only those with great access to medical care get counted in such studies, thus giving a bias with regards to income and race.

Powerful Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Cure with proven natural inflammation supplements for joint pain relief!