by J Mock

Created on: August 07, 2008   Last Updated: September 18, 2008

The symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can vary in both the type, and in the level of severity from day to day. Certain symptoms may appear to settle, before reoccurring the following day with an increase in intensity.

To be diagnosed as suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a person will have experienced severe chronic fatigue (mental and physical tiredness) for a prolonged period, usually for at least four months.

Also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can affect any age group, although the most common age range is between 20 and 40 years.

Diagnosis of CFS is usually determined after exhaustive testing has ruled out any other cause for the prolonged symptoms.

The Symptoms:

Sufferers will usually experience one or more of the following:

* A severe impairment in concentration and the short term memory. A person can experience difficulty when attempting to solve a problem, or appear forgetful after a recent event.

* A sore throat

* Muscle and joint pain across the whole body.

* Sleep that does not refresh. Feeling tired even after a lengthy rest.

* Malaise. A generalized feeling of illness and tiredness, lasting over 24 hours after any physical exertion, even after certain activities that were previously undertaken with a relative ease.

* Experiencing flu-like symptoms.

A person may also display other symptoms that can be attributed to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

* Feelings of depression and anxiety

* Appearing irritable with mood swings.

* The onset of panic attacks and palpitations.

* Experience abdominal pains

* Feeling bloated

* Weight loss

* High temperature for no reason

* Persistent cough

* Dizziness

* Nausea

* Headaches

* Stiffness in the muscles and joints after a nights sleep.

At present, there is no precise cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The onset of the prolonged period of illness can usually be determined. The majority of cases appear after a flu-like infection with either a gradual increase in severity or with the sudden appearance.

Visit your general practitioner if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, and it is affecting your day-to-day living. Tests can be performed for diagnostic purposes to rule out any other cause.

If Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is diagnosed, a sufferer will be made aware of the methods available for coping with the associated symptoms, with the aim of reducing the effects to a minimum and eventually overcoming the disease.

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