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Home > Arc > Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia:
Symptoms, Causes and Treatment


Criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

In general, in order to receive a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, a patient must satisfy two criteria:

  1. Have severe chronic fatigue of six months or longer duration with other known medical conditions excluded by clinical diagnosis, and
  2. Concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, multi-joint pain without swelling or redness, headaches of a new type, pattern or severity, unrefreshing sleep, and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or ME is categorized by severe disabling fatigue, which lasts for at least six months. It is made worse by minimal physical or mental exertion, but there’s no adequate medical explanation for what causes it.

When it comes to diagnosis, ME and Fibromyalgia (FMS) are often grouped together by doctors as they’re both characterized by chronic fatigue. Fibromyalgia means pain in muscles, ligaments, and tendons — the soft fibrous tissues in the body.

Most patients with FMS say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn. The pain tends to be felt as diffuse aching or burning, often described as head to toe. It may be worse at some times than at others. It may also change location, usually becoming more severe in the parts of the body that are used the most.

Clinical trials have revealed that taking vitamin E supplements help ease the symptoms, while other experts advise eliminating anything white from the diet — white sugar, flour, potatoes, etc.

More women than men have FMS, and it affects people of all ages. It’s important to see your GP if you feel you may have symptoms of either condition.

RESOURCES:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The term Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) refers to a symptom complex of marked and prolonged fatigue for which no identifiable cause can be found. Other symptoms frequently present include generalised muscle weakness and pain, low-grade fever, sore throat, painful lymph nodes in the neck and armpits, exacerbation of fatigue after moderate or strenuous exercise for periods of 24 hours or more, transient pains in a number of joints, and various disturbances of neuropsychological function including confusion, irritability, poor concentration and visual changes. Read more…

Treatment of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A variety of therapeutic approaches have been described as benefiting patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Since no cause for CFS has been identified and the pathophysiology remains unknown, treatment programs are directed at relief of symptoms, with the goal of the patient regaining some level of pre-existing function and well-being. Read more…

The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association
A nonprofit organization dedicated to research, education and patient advocacy for fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.
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