Tired All the Time? You Could Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

We are living in a hectic day and age where no one gets the amount of rest that our body requires in order to keep us healthy. We wake up tired in the morning and go to bed tired at night. Is this simply just being tired all the time or is it something more serious like chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is described as similar to the flu or a viral infection, since it drains the body of energy, and exhibits symptoms that are consistent of these two illnesses in many ways.

Unlike the flu or viral infection, where the symptoms go away in a short time span, the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome will last for months or even years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are eight possible primary symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. A person may be diagnosed with this disease if four of the eight symptoms are exhibited and the fatigue has lasted for at least six months or longer. Those eight symptoms are as follows.

1. Inability to concentrate or memory loss.

2. Exhaustion lasting for more than 24 hours after strenuous exercise or mental exertion.

3. Inability to sleep.

4. Sore muscles.

5. Sore throat.

6. New or unusual headache, different from what you usually experience.

7. Joint stiffness or tenderness, without swelling or redness.

8. Slightly enlarged and tender lymph nodes in the armpit and neck.

There are also a number of other symptoms that may also be present with chronic fatigue syndrome. These include but are not limited to, unexplained aches and pains, dry mouth, cough, fluctuating weight, anxiety disorders, irregular heart rhythms, upset stomach, night sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain, joint stiffness and diarrhea.

There is little known as to the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome. It has been speculated in the past that possibly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) could be the reason behind symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, but this was dismissed when EBV antibodies were found in patients with and without chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. It is also speculated that allergies, iron deficiency, low blood pressure, hypoglycemia, irregular immune system and herpes virus 6 could also be responsible for chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.

There is no conventional method of treating chronic fatigue syndrome, your doctor may try to treat and alleviate some of your symptoms such as suggesting that Tylenol, Advil and anti inflammatory drugs be taken for pain and joint stiffness. Antihistamines and decongestants may be prescribed for allergy symptoms. Anxiety disorders may be treated with drugs such as Atavan and alprazolam.

Your doctor may suggest that you take it easy for a few days and avoid physical and emotional over stimulation. Then you could be advised, to gradually increase your stamina a little at a time. Your doctor may recommend you seek the services of a physical therapist to assist you with an exercise program, which will gradually become more intense to build up your energy levels. These are effective means of treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome in 70% of all cases.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is not a life threatening condition. However, you must always seek the advice of a health care professional, anytime that you are suffering from being overly tired or fatigued for more than a few days. Excessive fatigue could be a symptom of a more serious condition.