Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Its All In Your Head

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• Also named
• CEBV - CHRONIC EPSTEIN-BARR SYNDROME
• CFIDS - CHRONIC FATIGUE IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION
  SYNDROME
• (ME) - Myalgic Encephalitis
• Yuppie flu
• Usually strikes middle aged people, but not
  exclusively
• Under diagnosed in younger people. (under 20
  years of age)
• Comes and goes

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CAUSES

• An exact cause is unknown
• Recent studies show that this disease may be
  caused by inflammation of the pathways in the
  nervous system
• Other researchers suspect the disease is caused
  by a virus (such as human herpes virus-6)
• Multiple nutrient deficiencies, food intolerance
  or extreme physical or mental stress may trigger
  CFS
• Usually occurs after an episode with a viral
  infection

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Main Symptoms

• Fatigue or Tiredness
• Lasting at least 6 months
• Fatigue that is severe enough to restrict
  activity (serious fatigue develops with less
  than ½ of the exertion compared to before the
  illness)

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Other symptoms

• Severe fatigue
• Mild fever (low grade, 101 degrees or less)
• Sore throat
• Lymph node tenderness
• Muscle weakness or aches

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Symptoms (contd)

• Sleep disturbances
• (hypersomnia or insomnia)
• Headaches (of a new type, pattern or severity)
• Joint pain, without
• swelling
• Increased thirst
• Bowel disorders
• Recurrent infections

• Neurological Symptoms
• Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
• Forgetfulness
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Thinking seems fuzzy or foggy
• Difficulty concentrating
• depression

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Is it really CFS or something else ?

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not
• the only cause of the symptoms
• of chronic fatigue illnesses

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Diagnosing CFS

• Blood tests may show high levels of EBV titers
• There is no exclusive test that can prove CFS.
• Doctors can presume a diagnosis of CFS only after
  ruling out any other possible causes of fatigue.
• Causes to rule out may include
• Infections
• Immune or autoimmune disorders
• Muscle or nerve diseases
• Endocrine diseases

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Tender Points

• Your doctor may press on these spots to find out
  how much tenderness you have.
• People with fibromyalgia are highly sensitive to
  pressure applied to all points
• At least 11 of the 18

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Optional Treatments

• Follow a regular manageable daily routine
• Diet and exercise
• Acupuncture
• Aquatic therapy

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No known cure

• We have an illness for which there is
• no positive laboratory diagnosis
• no usual course
• no specific treatment

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Questions