Overview
Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by extreme fatigue that can not be explained by any underlying medical condition. Experts say that chronic fatigue syndrome can be triggered by a number of different factors, combined together. This health condition is a diagnosis of exclusion, so all other conditions must be excluded before diagnosing a patient with this condition.
Causes
Even though chronic fatigue syndrome is still a mystery, it is thought that people who develop the disease have some genetic predisposition to develop the disorder. There are some environmental factors however that can trigger the disease. These environmental factors can be listed as the following:
- Viral infections
- Immune system impairment
- Hormonal imbalances
Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Loss of concentration
- Sore throat
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
- Unexplained muscle or joint pain
- Headaches
- Unrefreshing sleep
Diagnosis
There is no specific test to diagnose this health condition, hence all the tests conducted are aimed at excluding other diseases. The disorders that must be excluded are some of the following:
- Sleep disorders
- Mental illness
- Heart problems
- Lung problems
Treatment
There is no treatment for chronic fatigue, but therapy is considered a method to combat the symptoms.