Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated disorder categorized by extreme weakness and exhaustion that isn’t caused by an underlying medical condition and doesn’t abate with rest. This exhaustion limits the ability to function normally in everyday situations and it can often be difficult to diagnose. It can take months to get a CFS diagnosis. Because fatigue is so common, most people don’t even seek treatment until they’ve suffered with symptoms for a few months. Then, because Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms are so similar to those of other diseases and disorders, doctors have to rule out other, more life-threatening possibilities before settling on a diagnosis of CFS. So, it can be a long, and sometimes frustrating, road to a diagnosis.
The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome can come on suddenly, or they can gradually develop over a period of weeks to months. Symptoms can also be sporadic. Patients may complain of two symptoms one day, and have two completely disparate symptoms the very next day. The primary manifestation of chronic fatigue syndrome is a feeling of severe exhaustion that lasts for 6 months or longer. This is not ordinary fatigue that one would feel after a rough night of sleep. It’s an incapacitating feeling of tiredness that doesn’t improve (even with bed rest.) A patient can also suffer from loss of memory, lack of concentration, feeling sick for more than a day after physical exertion, persistent muscle pains & cramps that appear without exercise, sleeping problems, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or armpits, joint paint & swelling or sudden headaches. In order for a doctor to properly diagnose CFS, a patient must exhibit at least four other symptoms, in addition to the extreme fatigue. Although only the above issues are used for diagnosis, CFS can also sometimes cause these additional symptoms in patients: trouble with dizziness, fainting, inexplicable food sensitivities, irritable bowels, eye issues such as sensitivity to light or eye pain & mood swings or depression. If any of these symptoms are present, they should be discussed with a doctor.