How Do You Know If You Have CFS – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Are you wondering if you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? You should know that this sleep disorder is not an easy condition to diagnose because it looks like many other conditions. People who have CFS report feeling very exhausted, as if getting up to live their day is a challenge and no amount of sleep will help. This fatigue makes life difficult to live and getting yourself up and ready for work can make a person who suffers from this condition feel as if they will just fall down. There is hardly energy to eat or bathe and exercise of any kind feels completely out of the question. Having more energy is what you feel you need.

This is a condition that can hit quite suddenly, but it’s more likely that it’s been building up over time. The causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are unknown, but it is thought that it has to do with the immune system having some type of imbalance. Plus, to complicate matters further, many of the warning signs of CFS are also indicators of a serious or life threatening condition, so you need to see your doctor if you have any of them.

Common Symptoms of CFS

There are some very common, defining symptoms of this condition which you should look for if you think you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Remember having any or all of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have this sleep disorder.

• Severe exhaustion for six months or more. No matter how early you go to bed or how long you sleep, it always feels as if it’s just not enough. Plus, your body may feel tired; in fact, you will likely feel almost too tired to move on most days. This is the most common sign of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and it can almost take away the ability to become active or concentrate.

• Headaches for six months or more. These will usually be new to you or they will be much more severe than what you are used to. If you are starting to get frequent headaches, when you never used to get them, you may be suffering from CFS.

• Aches, pains and weakness for six months or more. You might feel as if you’ve just done a really hard workout, but you haven’t lifted a weight in months. You may also find that your joints hurt for seemingly no reason. Also, the lymph nodes in your armpits or around your throat may become swollen and hurt to touch.

• Many people who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will report feeling as if they have the flu. Fever, chills, sore throat, abdominal bloating, pain and nausea are all part of this group of symptoms.

• Short term memory loss is another common symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Real

As with all newer types of conditions, CFS may not seem as if it is a real condition. Your doctor, however, will tell you that you are suffering from a very real condition that can interfere with your life if you do not work to reduce fatigue and get it under control.

You can learn to manage your symptoms and work with the times of day that you have energy “peaks” and feel good to get your big tasks done. However, there is no cure for the condition. Over time, many people do see improvement in how they feel and are able to resume all normal activities.

If you think you are suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it’s important to seek medical attention so that you can begin to feel better overall and start having more energy.