Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a non-contagious illness first identified as a physical disorder in the 1980s and is currently a highly controversial condition.
As the number of diagnosed cases is on the rise, many in the medical community remain skeptical about its existence, often attributing it to psychological factors.
However, years of research have established CFS as a physical illness, although its manifestations are not yet fully recognized. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this condition currently affects half a million Americans.
Symptoms of CFS include: overwhelming fatigue, weakness that makes daily activities such as getting out of bed, dressing, and eating extremely challenging.
This fatigue does not improve with rest, significantly impacting educational, occupational, and recreational activities, potentially leading to other physical and psychological disorders that can last for months or even years.
CFS occurs more frequently in women than men and affects all racial and ethnic groups. Most individuals diagnosed with this condition are between the ages of 20 and 40, and it can also occur in adolescents. A similar illness has been identified in children under 12 years old, but the number of young children and teenagers affected by CFS has yet to be accurately documented.
Causes of CFS
The exact cause of CFS remains unclear. Current research is focused on the possibility that individuals with CFS may experience abnormal functioning of the immune system and central nervous system. Scientists are also investigating metabolic irregularities and other risk factors such as genetic disorders, age, gender, medical history, environmental influences, and stress that may contribute to the development and progression of this illness.
Some researchers suggest that a virus may be responsible for CFS, but this hypothesis has not been conclusively proven. For a time, scientists pointed to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as a key factor in the development of CFS; however, many diagnosed with CFS show no evidence of EBV infection. Nonetheless, the notion that a virus may cause CFS is still under investigation due to the symptom similarities with viral infections. Researchers continue to explore the potential viral connections to CFS.
Other hypotheses suggest that factors contributing to CFS may include: iron deficiency anemia, low blood sugar, environmental allergies, systemic infections, psychiatric disorders, or neurological issues.
Symptoms of CFS
Due to the vague and varied symptoms of CFS, the CDC provided detailed criteria in 1993 to aid in its diagnosis. Symptoms include: persistent fatigue lasting at least 6 months, accompanied by other diagnosable and treatable conditions, and at least four or more of the following symptoms:
– Memory issues or difficulty concentrating.
– Sore throat.
– Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.
– Muscle or joint pain with accompanying swelling or redness.
– Headaches.
– Sleep disturbances and a general feeling of illness or depression…
Additionally, any symptom from the above list associated with fatigue lasting at least 6 months or longer is considered indicative of CFS. Continuous fatigue itself should also be regarded as a primary symptom of the illness.
Other symptoms of CFS may include low-grade fever, blurred vision, chills, night sweats, diarrhea, and unusual changes in appetite and weight.
Diagnosing CFS
CFS is challenging to diagnose with a single test, and the cause of the illness remains unidentified. Another complicating factor is that other diseases exhibit symptoms similar to CFS, such as viral infections, kidney disease, heart disease, depression, and neurological disorders. Therefore, the first step for physicians is to ensure that a patient’s fatigue and additional symptoms are not attributable to these or other conditions like sleep disorders or hormonal issues such as decreased thyroid function.
However, CFS can often be recognized by its unique characteristics. “CFS symptoms typically develop suddenly and include distinct fatigue that comes and goes or persists for many months,” says Dr. Joel D. Klein, a medical professional. Physicians may conduct comprehensive examinations and order various blood tests to aid in the diagnosis.
TƯỜNG VY (According to KidsHealth)
