A Definition:

Everyone gets tired from time to time. Physical exertion, your job, and often just the stress of daily living can get you down. It's only natural.

However, when fatigue becomes serious and incapacitating, when fatigue or exhaustion lasts for long periods of time -- weeks or months -- you may be suffering from what is called Chronic Fatigue.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is often difficult to diagnose because symptoms resemble several other disorders or illnesses. It has been estimated that 50% of all hospital admissions are related to chronic fatigue.

Chronic Fatigue is a dysfunction of the immune system and is believed to have several different causes including thyroid disorders, Candida (a build up of yeast in the system), and allergies to food, dust or mold. It may also be the result of nutritional deficiency, hormonal imbalance or a virus called Epstein-Barr (EBV).

Chronic Fatigue can be treated. There is no reason to suffer the incapacitating exhaustion that affects your job performance, personal relationships and every other part of your daily life. Seek treatment to find the cause of your illness, and treat the cause.

The Symptoms:

The symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be many and vary from person to person. They can also vary in the level of intensity and duration.

In addition to the prolonged excessive fatigue, other symptoms may include a low grade fever or sore throat, muscle weakness or pain, sleep disorders such as insomnia or excessive sleep, severe or repeated headaches, PMS or menstrual problems, unusual rashes or skin sensitivity, chills, night sweats, impairment of speech or visual disturbances, dizziness or balance problems, shortness of breath, a sensitivity to heat or cold, cold hands and feet, irritable bowel, even hair loss.

Behavioral or psychological symptoms include irritability, confusion, inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, difficulty thinking, and depression. Often symptoms may be seen as overall personality changes including anxiety, fear, panic attacks, or emotional instability. Very often these symptoms may be confused with common psychological or psychiatric disorders, and treated ineffectively with mind affecting drugs.

Though many of us experience one or more of these symptoms occasionally, if they are severe and begin to affect daily living it may be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Current Treatment:

Treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome must be carefully tailored to the individual. Because it is often confused with other illnesses, it is important to seek a physician knowledgeable in the treatment of Chronic Fatigue.

Because of the wide range of possible causes, no one specific therapy or treatment has been identified. Though research is ongoing, many physicians treat the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome through drug therapy, prescribing drugs such as Prozac, Sinequan, Xanax, Elavil, etc...

Another approach to treatment is to find the trigger and/or biochemical deficiency rather than masking the symptoms with drugs. Here the basic concept is to find the cause of the illness and treat the cause.

It has been found that certain environmental factors may trigger the problem. Allergies to pollens, molds, dust or food may be the problem, and, once identified, can be alleviated. Odors or chemical fumes also can cause symptoms. These can be removed from the environment or simply avoided.

Once again, seek a physician knowledgeable in the treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

We hope this information has been helpful. Please call Environmental Health and Allergy Center - St. Louis at 314-921-5600 or email us at ehacstl@ehacstl.com for more information.