Why Chronic Fatigue Symptoms Can Be Hard To Diagnose

Why am I so tired? Why am I feeling constantly tired? These are typical questions asked by people suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic fatigue symptoms can be a hard diagnosis. Persons experiencing chronic pain usually are confused at what the cause may be. However, many may never suspect, at least initially, the culprit is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Characterized as an extreme intensive fatigue lasting for periods of six months or more, and sometimes suffered in duality with fibromyalgia, the symptoms of CFS may be some cause of confusion.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a debilitating ailment, complex in its symptoms and characterized by intensive fatigue, is usually not improved by sleep or rest. The symptomatic pain of CFS, of which can be heightened by physical and/or mental excursion, usually cause those suffering of its effects great discomfort and diminished quality of life.

Chronic fatigue symptoms of CFS, though they may overlap the symptoms of many other ailments, taken as a whole, can lead to proper diagnosis and treatment. Incapacitating fatigue, as a symptom, can be associated with any number of lesser ailments. Thus it is important to know the symptoms as a collective group. Following is a discussion of those chronic fatigue symptoms of which may be attributed to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The characteristics that define CFS, through research studies and as patients have reported them, are various and non-specific in cast. Included are complaints of weakness, pain in the muscles, obliviousness and impaired memory with the added difficulty of mental concentration.

Insomnia is a persistent complaint which aggravates the symptoms of CFS considerably. Depression, another of patients’ often common complaints, has been associated with CFS as well, with its causation attributed to the lack of proper rest, thus amplifying intensive chronic fatigue.

Sore throat; tenderness of the lymph nodes; multi-joint pain without evidence of inflammation or redness; headache, the type of which is uncommon in the patient; malaise after excursion lasting 24 hours or more are also common referred to as chronic fatigue.

Up to 50% of patients have complained of symptoms which have also include abdominal pain; bloating; chest pain; chronic cough caused by sore throat; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; earaches; irregular heartbeat; nausea; irritability; anxiety; and panic attacks.

Unfortunately, studies have shown CFS as well as chronic fatigue, can remain persistent for years. The causative onset of CFS has been reclusive and not readily identified. One major problem for the physician, thus the patient, is the causes of this ailment do not show on normal blood panels. Thyroid, hormone or other lab-testing have proven unreliable as well. These tests tend to come back negative confusing the physician, leaving him or her at a loss as to proper treatment.

However, research has shed some light on some useful treatments CFS and chronic fatigue. Physicians have begun to advise patients to slow their pace of life, and to avoid unusually emotional and/or physical stressors which tend to aggravate fatigue intensity. Patients are advised to following a regular and manageable daily routine and involve themselves in a modest exercise program, being undertaken with proper supervision of a physician and/or a physical therapist.

Other proven recommendations and practices include acupuncture, aquatic therapy, regular chiropractic visits, massage, and even yoga, all of which have proven advantageous in the management of CFS and chronic fatigue symptoms. Many of these recommendations also have proven affective at alleviating any pain which may accompany the patient’s fatigue.

With no FDA-approved prescription medications specifically available for the treatment of chronic fatigue symptoms, it has been discovered there are a number of medications that are used to treat the various symptoms Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as well as the symptoms of chronic fatigue. The medications include antidepressants; anti-fungal medications; antihistamines; CNS depressants as well as stimulants; cardiac medications; anti-inflammatory medications; corticoids; and expectorants.