Are You Suffering from Chronic Fatigue?

As of 2005, the survey conducted by Statistics Canada showed that 341,126 Canadians are afflicted with this ailment. Also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is characterized by a lack of energy and sometimes even pain in several muscles which have no other apparent causes like arthritis. The severe tiredness also comes despite adequate amounts of rest, and thus hampers the individual’s ability to perform physical work and/or cognitive processes. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome then becomes a condition in itself, and not merely an offshoot of other ailments. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can last for years, obviously worse if the one with the condition does not seek medical attention.

To date, doctors have yet to ascertain precisely what causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, although their best assumptions are the genetic predisposition towards the condition, and regular exposure to harmful substances. These, however, are not limitations to the people that can be diagnosed with this condition; since scientists are still unable to pinpoint the direct causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, everyone is at risk. Similarly, studies have yet to figure out exactly how to determine if an individual has the condition, as there are no laboratory tests that can ascertain its presence. Despite that, however, people feel the inexplicable inability to function normally at arbitrary moments in their lives.

According to statistics, women are the common sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; only 1 out of every 4 of those with the condition is male, with the age bracket being 20-40 years old. One must repeat, however, that these are not the only people at risk; everyone is.

Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome comes from the process of elimination; tests are taken for every other possible ailment with chronic fatigue as a symptom (checked beside the patient's medical history). It then becomes an imperative to see a doctor if one feels an unusual lack of energy and/or focus.