Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
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Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, hereafter known as "CFIDS", is a complex disease involving multi-system disturbances and abnormalities. Here are some basic facts about CFIDS and its symptoms:
- Approximately 4 to 7 million people are afflicted with CFIDS in this country alone. Accurate statistics are difficult to obtain due to the difficulty in diagnosing. As many as 15 million Americans have fatigue-related issues without a diagnosis of CFIDS, yet exhibit the symptoms.
- It is a debilitating condition marked with extreme exhaustion and fatigue. CFIDS patients have a severe chronic fatigue lasting 6 months or longer (having excluded other potential conditions) and also having four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, multi-joint pain without swelling or redness, headaches of a new type, pattern or severity, unrefreshing sleep, and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours.
- Past treatment regimens have focused primarily on bed rest, antidepressant medications and the need to "learn to live" with the symptoms. Research is ongoing, but is it believed there are four major contributing factors: low thyroid levels, adrenal exhaustion, undiagnosed chronic infections and underlying mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Diagnosis may be difficult with a vast number of other diseases and illnesses having similar contributing factors. In the past, it has taken years for patients to receive a diagnosis. Parameters have now been established for earlier identification and intervention. If the symptoms listed below do not adequately describe what you're feeling, you may have Unrelenting Fatigue.
- For many people, symptoms of CFIDS emerge following the experience of a dramatic event, physical or emotional, or a stressful period in their lives. It is not unusual for Fibromyalgia and CFIDS patients to correlate their symptoms to events such as this. Studies are proving that underlying infections or imbalances may manifest during these periods. Some identified symptoms are listed below.
- Treatment requires an extensive knowledge of the specialized field and focus on the symptoms. Tremendous advances have been made in the understanding and treatment of this disease. Successful treatment requires a comprehensive approach, determination by the patient and support by those in their lives.
- A new study by the CDC showed that CFS is 6 to 10 times as common as previously suspected.
Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers, Inc. (FFC) takes a patient-centric, holistic (meaning treating the whole body, not just the symptoms) approach to treatment and an individualized plan of care. Call toll-free 1-866-443-4276 to schedule an appointment or to attend a free educational seminar. Check our locations for a Center near you. If the nearest location is a distance away, we offer affordable and flexible treatment for out-of-town patients.
Other common symptoms include:
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