CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
FATIGUE CAN BE A SYMPTOM OF VITAMIN DEFICIENCY, CHRONIC ILLNESSES, TOO MUCH STRESS, TOO LITTLE SLEEP, POOR DIET, LOW CALORIE DIETS AND SO MUCH MORE. WHEN FATIGUE LASTS LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS AND IS NOT RELIEVED BY REST, IT MAY BE CONSIDERED CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS). PEOPLE WITH CFS OPERATE AT LOWER ENERGY AND ACTIVITY LEVELS. THIS OCCURS BECAUSE MANY OF THE BODY'S SYSTEMS ARE SHUTTING DOWN. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN 1 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME. CFS CAN ALSO AFFECT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME CAN BE TREATED.
SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
CHRONIC FATIGUE FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS.
FATIGUE THAT GREATLY INTERFERES WITH DAILY ACTIVITIES AND WORK.
UNREFRESHING SLEEP.
SIGNIFICANT IMPAIRMENT OF SHORT-TERM MEMORY OR CONCENTRATION.
MUSCLE PAIN.
PAIN IN JOINTS WITHOUT SWELLING OR REDNESS.
HEADACHES OF NEW TYPE, PATTERN OR SEVERITY.
SORE THROAT THAT IS FREQUENT OR RECURRING.
TENDER LYMPH NODES IN THE NECK OR ARMPIT.