Most adult persons have been bothered by a condition called fatigue at least once in the course of their lives. The most common fatigue symptom is the lack of strength of energy. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that causes extreme, often debilitating exhaustion. This fatigue is not the sort of tiredness that comes after one has worked hard, or that goes away after a nice long rest. A few CFS cases begin slowly, but most of the time they begin very suddenly. Much of the time, they are set off by the ‘flu or an illness similar to it. The patient has the ‘flu, recovers from most of the symptoms, but then retains the fatigue and general aches and pains for weeks afterwards.
Many people suffer from depression and are not aware of it until it progresses into a real problem. Feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, extreme fatigue and vague aches and pains are all symptoms of depression and can vary widely from one person to another. Symptoms can also include weakness that interferes with daily living by up to 50% for some people. Unlike flu (influenza) symptoms, which usually subside in a few days or weeks, the signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome can last for months or years, causing a marked restriction in normal daily activities. There is a massive spectrum of Chronic Fatigue. Most people are able to fight the fatigue and perform many of their usual activities at home and work. However, they are unusually exhausted afterwards, and may begin to reduce socializing, recreational activities, and hobbies.
No one knows for sure what causes CFS. It may occur after an infection such as a cold or viral syndrome. It can happen over time or come on suddenly. People who get CFS over time get more and more tired over weeks or months. Natural herbal medicine is another avenue of treatment, which many CFS patients opt to explore. Some natural remedies include borage seed oil, bromelain, comfrey, echinacea, ginkgo biloba, ginseng and shiitake mushroom extract. There is no definitive treatment for CFS, and what helps one person may not help another. For the most part, physicians treat the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory medications are given for pain. Antidepressants are used to treat depression if it is present.
Some symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue, loss of appetite, night sweats, intestinal problems, anxiety, depression, mood swings, sleep disturbances, memory loss, inability to concentrate, headaches, and muscle and joint pains. The number of people suffering from fibromyalgia in the US alone are close to 8 million, more than 80% are women. Those people are usually living in total pain or extreme fatigue and suffer from lack of sleep. They may wake up stiff, experience mental confusion, irritable bowel and TMJ syndrome. Sleep disorders are a common symptom of CFS and it has been suggested that increased pain sensitivity may contribute to the restlessness and sleeplessness many experience. Many people with adrenal insufficiency feel better when on vacation. Their symptoms may even clear up entirely but then return when they go back to their normal lives.