Did you know…?
In the United States alone, between one and four million Americans suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and the amount of people affected worldwide are increasing each year. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) affects all social classes, ethnic groups, and is twice as common in women worldwide.
These individuals are seriously impaired by this condition. Many people do not realize how common this condition is; at least a quarter are unemployed or on disability because of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
Surprisingly, many people who suffer from this condition do not seek medical attention. Only about 50 percent of the people affected consult a physician for their illness. Many people are unaware that the earlier a person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) receives medical treatment the more likely they are to recover from this illness.
Another important factor that many are unaware of is that about 40% of people in the general population who report symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) also have a serious, treatable, illness that had not been diagnosed until that time. The other illnesses were diagnosed during the time doctors were testing for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Some of these conditions linked to CFS were diabetes, thyroid disease, substance abuse or psychiatric conditions.
Individuals should not take Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) lightly. It is a serious illness and poses a problem for the person who has the illness, their families, and health care providers. Realistically, anytime some you care for a person who is struck with an illness it is not just that person who is affected, everyone who is a part of that individual’s life will be affected. This is one of the reasons CFS should not be taken lightly. If you are unable to care for yourself because of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) then how can you care for the love ones around you; who mean so much for you.
People who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) can and should seek treatment. Below are some of the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
Symptoms
- Extreme tiredness, or fatigue; this is the main symptom
- You may feel exhausted all or much of the time.
- You may have problems sleeping
- Waking up feeling tired or not rested even though, you had a good night sleep.
- Having difficulty thinking clearly
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having difficulty remembering things
- Headaches
- Muscle and joint pain
- A sore throat
- Tender glands in your neck or armpits
- Your symptoms may flare up after a mental or physical activity that used to be no problem for you.
