How To Recognize Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Answer 1

Chronic fatigue syndrome can be extremely hard to diagnose as it shares several symptoms with other diseases and conditions including, among others, the rare lupus, depression and the devastating multiple sclerosis. The situation is also further complicated by the fact that there are various medications that, when taken for an extended period of time, bring about symptoms that are disturbingly similar to those associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

In an attempt to ensure that chronic fatigue syndrome is not misdiagnosed, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has listed two requirements that need to be fulfilled before a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome can be made. These requirements are, firstly, a previously-unexperienced and presently inexplicable sense of extreme fatigue that accompanies everything that a person does and, secondly, at least four of a given list of related symptoms. These specified four - or more - symptoms must, furthermore, have been experienced for at least six months.

The CDC has gone on to list those symptoms that are most commonly associated with confirmed cases of chronic fatigue syndrome, and the best way to recognize the syndrome is therefore to compare a list of suspected symptoms to the list of predetermined symptoms and see if there’s a match. The predetermined list of symptoms includes such things as multiple-joint pain, sore throat and muscle pain, and, given the general nature of these symptoms, it can easily be seen why the syndrome is so often misdiagnosed. Further symptoms on the CDC’s hit-list include impaired concentration, lymph nodes that are painful to the touch and unusual headaches.

There are also several symptoms that have been identified in a significant number of cases but not in enough cases to warrant inclusion on the CDC’s list. These related symptoms include such things as irritable bowel syndrome - which is a nasty condition all by itself - sensitivity to bright light and regular bouts of dizziness. Further sub-symptoms - which may or may not indicate the presence of CFS - include food Allergies, panic attacks and night chills.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating condition and is especially insidious when remaining undiagnosed for long periods of time.