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Endocrine disorders can be easily mistaken for other chronic conditions. If you have been diagnosed with a condition such as fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, then you should receive a comprehensive endocrinology evaluation. Metabolism is controlled by the endocrine system, and even normal blood test results may not be conclusive of optimal requirements for you. Subclinical hormone deficiencies can emulate numerous poor quality of life conditions.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. Symptoms affect several body systems and may include weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, and insomnia, which can result in reduced participation in daily activities.
General Information
http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/general/index.html
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a devastating and complex disorder. People with CFS have overwhelming fatigue and a host of other symptoms that are not improved by bed rest and that can get worse after physical activity or mental exertion. They often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before they became ill.
Besides severe fatigue, other symptoms include muscle pain, impaired memory or mental concentration, insomnia, and post-exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours. In some cases, CFS can persist for years.
Researchers have not yet identified what causes CFS, and there are no tests to diagnose CFS. Moreover, because many illnesses have fatigue as a symptom, doctors need to take care to rule out other conditions, which may be treatable.
Causes
http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/causes/index.html
Causes of CFS
Despite a vigorous search, scientists have not yet identified what causes CFS. While a single cause for CFS may yet be identified, another possibility is that CFS has multiple triggers. Some of the possible causes of CFS might be:
• infections
• immune dysfunction
• abnormally low blood pressure that can cause fainting (neurally mediated hypotension)
• nutritional deficiency
• stress that activates the axis where the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal glands interact (the HPA axis)
Diagnosis
http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/diagnosis/index.html
Because there is no blood test, brain scan, or other lab test to diagnose CFS, it is a diagnosis that can only be made after ruling out other possible illnesses. A doctor will first take a detailed patient history and then will conduct a thorough physical and mental health exam. Next, a series of laboratory screening tests will be ordered to help identify or rule out other possible causes of symptoms. There may also be additional tests to follow up on results of these tests. If a patient has had severe fatigue for 6 months or longer but does not does not have at least 4 of the 8 symptoms of CFS (and thus, does not meet the criteria for a CFS diagnosis), the doctor may make a diagnosis of idiopathic fatigue (fatigue with an unknown cause). As a practical matter, patients with idiopathic fatigue are managed like CFS patients.
A clinician should consider a diagnosis of CFS if these three criteria are met:
The individual has unexplained, persistent fatigue for 6 months or longer that is not due to ongoing exertion, is not substantially relieved by rest, has begun recently (is not lifelong)
The fatigue significantly interferes with daily activities and work
The individual has had 4 or more of the following 8 symptoms:
• post-exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours
• unrefreshing sleep
• significant impairment of short-term memory or concentration
• muscle pain
• pain in the joints without swelling or redness
• a sore throat that is frequent or recurring
• tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
• headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
CFS Case Definition
http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/case-definition/index.html
- There are several case definitions for CFS and all require fatigue as one of the symptoms. CDC uses the 1994 CFS case definition, which requires meeting three criteria:
The individual has had severe chronic fatigue for 6 or more consecutive months and the fatigue is not due to ongoing exertion or other medical conditions associated with fatigue (these other conditions need to be ruled out by a doctor after diagnostic tests have been conducted) - The fatigue significantly interferes with daily activities and work
- The individual concurrently has 4 or more of the following 8 symptoms:
- post-exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours
- unrefreshing sleep
- significant impairment of short-term memory or concentration
- muscle pain
- pain in the joints without swelling or redness
- headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
- tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
- a sore throat that is frequent or recurring
- These symptoms should have persisted or recurred during 6 or more consecutive months of illness, and they cannot have first appeared before the fatigue.
- Symptoms
http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/symptoms/index.html
Symptoms of CFS
The primary symptom of CFS is unexplained, severe fatigue lasting at least 6 months that is not improved by bed rest and that can get worse after physical activity or mental exertion. Individuals with CFS experience a fatigue so strong that their activity levels and stamina decline dramatically. However, fatigue is not the only symptom, and for some patients may not be the symptom that bothers them the most.
As stated in the 1994 case definition, the fatigue of CFS is accompanied by at least 4 of 8 characteristic symptoms lasting at least 6 months. These symptoms include: - post-exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours
- unrefreshing sleep
- significant impairment of short-term memory or concentration
- muscle pain
- pain in the joints without swelling or redness
- headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
- tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
- a sore throat that is frequent or recurring
The symptoms listed above are the symptoms used to diagnose this illness. However, many CFS patients may experience other symptoms, including irritable bowel, depression or other psychological problems, chills and night sweats, visual disturbances, brain fog, difficulty maintaining upright position, dizziness, balance problems, fainting, and allergies or sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, medications, or noise.
Management
http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/management/index.html
Managing chronic fatigue syndrome can be as complex as the illness itself. There is no cure, no prescription drugs have been developed specifically for CFS, and symptoms can vary a lot over time. Thus, people with CFS should closely monitor their health and let their doctor know of any changes; and doctors’ should regularly monitor their patients’ conditions and change treatment strategies, as needed.
A team approach that involves doctors and patients is one key to managing CFS. Patients benefit when they can work in collaboration with a team of doctors and other health care practitioners, who might include rehabilitation specialists, mental health professionals, and physical or exercise therapists. Together, they can create an individualized treatment program that best meets the needs of the patient with CFS. This program should be based on a combination of therapies that address symptoms, coping techniques, and managing normal daily activities.