Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a disease that causes significant suffering for many patients. While the cause is unknown, sufferers will suffer from extreme fatigue throughout the day and night that hinders their ability to function on a daily basis. While people may be tired and fatigued all the time, they may even have difficulty sleeping, and sleep will often not be restorative or make them feel better.
Signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue disorder
Difficulty with memory or concentration
Sore throat or enlarged lymph nodes
Pain throughout the body, muscles, or joints
Headaches
Sleep that is not helpful
Extreme exhaustion after any type of physical exertion or exercise.
The medical community is unsure why exactly this condition occurs. Often, conditions such as viral illnesses, hormonal imbalance, and immune system problems can present very similarly. So can other chronic diseases that cause pain, sleep problems, mood problems, and thyroid abnormalities.
It is crucial to rule out any underlying disorder that can be treated and what is causing the fatigue and other symptoms. There are many conditions that can cause many of the same symptoms as chronic fatigue syndrome so Dr. Sharon will want to get a detailed and accurate history, full physical and neurological exam, and blood tests and imaging to rule out other causes before giving or confirming the diagnosis.
