Fatigue is a symptom all of its own that is part of many conditions and illnesses. However, experiencing chronic fatigue symptoms can be quite debilitating. A mysterious condition, sometimes identified as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS), the exact causes of chronic fatigue syndrome are unknown. While identified by the World Health Organization as a disease of the nervous system, identifying the exact triggers for chronic fatigue syndrome remains elusive.

Common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include extreme fatigue after periods of physical activity, un-recuperative sleep, muscle and joint pain spread throughout the body, sore throat and cognitive problems that involve trouble understanding or comprehending new information. Chronic fatigue can also be more than just physical symptoms and can extend to being mentally fatigued in that it is difficult for someone suffering from the illness to communicate or accept and process new information.

Further symptoms of this disorder include muscle weakness, sensitivity to certain sounds, smells and light, problems digesting food properly, depression and cardiac and respiratory problems. While these symptoms are more severe, researchers are unclear if these stem from chronic fatigue or are associated with other problems that piggyback on chronic fatigue.

Chronic Fatigue Symptoms:

• Extreme fatigue after periods of physical activity
• Not being able to recuperate with sleep
• Pain in the joints and muscles
• Sore throat
• Cognitive problems
• Muscle weakness
• Sound, light, and smell sensitivity
• Digestion problems
• Depression
• Cardiac and respiratory issues

Even though chronic fatigue syndrome is rare, it is estimated that upwards of one million Americans have this condition. Although it is not clearly understood what is causing chronic fatigue, the condition appears to affect women far more than men and targets middle aged to elderly women more so than children, teens and young adults. Quality of life is the main concern with chronic fatigue as people who are affected by this condition often reported a drastically impacted quality of life compared to how they felt prior to the onset of the illness.

The onset of chronic fatigue syndrome is usually inaugurated by a bout of flu like symptoms that are usually innocuous. However, once the more common flu symptoms subside, such as fever, sore throat and nausea, the fatigue associated with flu remains. Diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome is a bit tricky as the symptoms are largely subjective. Quantifying fatigue is difficult. Until the phenomenon of chronic fatigue was uncovered, many medical professionals chalked up this mysterious illness to other lingering concerns or simply a matter of poor diet and lack of exercise.

Regardless, a criterion does exist now that enables health professionals to identify chronic fatigue syndrome. Identifying this condition first means running tests that rules out other conditions that cause chronic fatigue, such as Lyme disease, alcohol and substance abuse, depression, sleep impeding disorders, diabetes, mononucleosis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and various forms of hepatitis. Once ruled out, treatment can begin.

Most treatment options are still being studied and explored by health professionals and they often just try to treat the chronic fatigue symptoms and not the disease itself. Currently, most treatment revolves around behavior therapy that explores ways of bolstering the mental health of those who suffer from chronic fatigue. Gradual exercise treatments and nutritional counseling is also explored in order to bolster the physical health and diet of a person with chronic fatigue. There is no medication available that helps treat chronic fatigue and that is approved for use.