Feel Tired? It Could Be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that usually first appears in women from their early 20s to mid-40s. Its symptoms include:

• Memory or concentration impairment
• Sore throat
• Tender glands in the neck or underarms
• Muscle pain; joint pain without swelling or redness
• Headaches (new or different from previous headaches)
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Fatigue lasting more than 24 hours after exercise

If you have been experiencing at least four of these symptoms for the past six months or more, you may have CFS and should see a physician for an evaluation.

While there are no specific tests for CFS, there are tests that may help eliminate other diseases from the list of possibilities. Your doctor will check for the common causes of fatigue such as anemia, low thyroid, diabetes, drug side effects, kidney disease, sleep apnea, depression, and a few rare diseases.