The Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS

The Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS. Chronic fatigue syndrome shares some symptoms with many other illnesses. Fatigue, can be found as a symptom in hundreds of other disorders. It is estimated that between 10% and 25% of patients complain of fatigue when visiting their Doctor. To arrive at a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the Doctor will need to examine all of the symptoms, as well as run tests to rule out any other causes before making a firm diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Primary Symptoms of
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

As the name Chronic Fatigue Syndrome would suggest, one of the main symptoms of CFS is fatigue. This is not the same type of fatigue a person would experience after a sleepless night, a busy day or week, or after a period of high stress. It is a fatigue which is severe, and it is incapacitating.  It is a fatigue that won't be improved by bed rest, and that can be made worse by mental or physical activity. It is a fatigue which that results in a dramatic decrease in a persons stamina and activity levels.

Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can only function at a substantialy lower activity level than they were able to, prior to becoming ill. This disorder will result in a large reduction in the persons ability to work, or schooling, as well as their personal, and social activities.

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A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosis will be considered in patients who have six months or more, of unexplained fatigue, which is accompanied with other characteristic symptoms.

These symptoms would include:

• unrefreshing sleep
• cognitive dysfunction, including impaired memory or concentration
• sore throat
• postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours (exhaustion and increased symptoms) following physical or mental exercise
• headaches of a new type or severity
• joint pain (without redness or swelling)
• persistent muscle pain 
• tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes

Other Common Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

In addition to the eight primary symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, there are many other symptoms which have been reported by some CFS patients. The occurrence and frequency of these symptoms will vary from patient to patient.

These symptoms include:

• allergies or sensitivities to foods, alcohol, odors, chemicals, medications or noise
• irritable bowel, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or bloating
• chills and night sweats
• jaw pain
• brain fog
• chest pain
• weight loss or gain
• shortness of breath
• chronic cough
• visual disturbances (blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain or dry eyes)
• difficulty maintaining upright position (orthostatic instability, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, balance problems or fainting)
• psychological problems (depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks)

Medical professionals will need to consider if the symptoms are related to a comorbid or an exclusionary condition; these shouldn't be considered to be a part of CFS, other than that they may contribute to impaired functioning, for the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patient.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advances