According to the Mayo Clinic, the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome in most cases is still unknown, although theories range from psychological stress to viral infections. Although the cause may not be found, chronic fatigue can be successfully diagnosed and treated. With time, most people will recover fully from this debilitating syndrome. The primary reason that chronic fatigue is so difficult to diagnose is that the primary symptoms may come and go, so that a patient may not exhibit all of the symptoms at the same time.
Primary Symptoms and Signs
There are eight official primary symptoms and signs of chronic fatigue syndrome besides the fatigue itself. These include sore throat, loss of concentration or memory, unexplained muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes in the armpits or neck, headache of a new pattern, type or severity, pain that moves from one joint to another joint and has no redness or swelling, unrefreshed sleep and extreme exhaustion that lasts for more than 24 hours after mental or physical exercise.
Secondary Symptoms and Signs
Persons with chronic fatigue report a wide variety of other symptoms and signs besides those used for the official diagnosis. Theses include allergies and sensitivities to alcohol, food, chemicals, odors, noise or medications, abdominal pain, chronic cough, bloating, chest pain, dry mouth, diarrhea, dizziness and balance problems, fainting, earache, jaw pain, irregular heart beat, nausea, morning stiffness, night sweats and chills, shortness of breath and weight loss or gain as well as visual disturbances such as sensitivity to light, blurring, dry eyes and eye pain. Psychological problems such as irritability, depression, panic attacks and anxiety disorders are also common.
Complications
Complications in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome can include adverse reactions and side effects related to the medical treatments prescribed, depression due to both the symptoms and the possible lack of diagnosis, social isolation due to the fatigue, restrictions on lifestyles, missing work and the side effects related to de-conditioning due to the lack of activity.
