Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Signs and Symptoms

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is classified as being of “unknown” etiology, though there is evidence that it is an autoimmune disorder. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome seems to start with some sort of infection or illness, such as mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr virus, cyt0megalo virus, pneumonia, upper respiratory infection or herpes virus. Once these illnesses clear up, however, the fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome remains. We have put together a list of common signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome below.

Also, we have information on diagnosis, supportive natural therapies, helpful books and valuable resources for patients.

The Most Common Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome include:

The main symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome is persistent or relapsing debilitating fatigue which has been present for longer than six months, which does not resolve with bed rest, and which is severe enough to reduce the daily functioning of the person below 50 percent of what is normal for that person.

Other symptoms include:

Prolonged fatigue after physical activity
Poor sleep
Low-grade fever
Headaches
Forgetfulness
Low blood pressure
Frequent infections
Swollen or tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
Inflamed throat
Muscle pain
Muscle weakness
Pain that moves from one joint to another
Increased sensitivity to chemicals, perfumes, and odors
Digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome
Sensitivity to cold
More frequent illnesses or infections

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis

There is no definitive test for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and it is generally diagnosed after other possible causes and disorders have been ruled out. The criteria for diagnosis includes new onset of fatigue lasting six or more months, and a reduction of activity to less than 50 percent of normal, plus at least eight of the following symptoms:

low grade fever
throat infections without pus
painful lymph node swelling
generalized muscle weakness
muscle aches
headaches
joint aches
sleep disturbances
foggy thinking and forgetfulness
post-exertion malaise
pain that moves around the body from one joint to another

Books For People With Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Step-by-step Program Proven to Help You Get Well! Rodger H. Murphree	Defeat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: You Don’t Have to Live with It — An Eight Step Protocol Martha E. Kilcoyne


Hope and Help for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (Second Edition) (Hope & Help for) Alison C. Bested	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Other Invisible Illnesses: The Comprehensive Guide Katrina Berne

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Resources

General Patient Resources

CFIDS Association of America

Information, support and advocacy resources for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers.

http://www.cfids.org/

About.com

A chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia forum.

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?nav=messages&webtag=ab-chronicfatig

Healing Well . com

Another support forum with a total of 1,274,506 posts in 144,769 threads.

http://www.healingwell.com/cfs/

Life Extension Foundation

Immune system protocols.

http://www.lef.org/protocols/immune_connective_joint/chronic_fatigue_01.htm

Medical Resources

Mayo Clinic

Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, prevention, treatment of this complex disorder.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/DS00395

Pub Med Health

Learn about causes, symptoms, treatment, resources and prognosis.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002224/