Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Many times if a woman is experiencing fatigue on a regular basis during menopause, she may wonder if there is a more serious syndrome at work. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a not as common yet important condition that affects a high percentage of the population. Studies suggest that anywhere in between 1 and 4 million Americans suffer from this syndrome, leading to serious disturbances in daily life.

Keep reading to learn more about chronic fatigue syndrome, in order to distinguish it from the more mild fatigue that is typical for menopausal women.

Fatigue	About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder that is hard to pinpoint as it involves a variety of factors, but generally speaking it is a severe fatigue that lasts longer than six months. It is not the result of extreme effort and is not improved with bed rest. Because there can be so many causes and forms of fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome is chronically under diagnosed, with only an estimated 20% of the several million cases in the US having been properly diagnosed. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome involves the duration; that is, that a person has experienced fatigue for longer than six months, and also a list of symptoms. Keep reading to learn which symptoms are particular to this syndrome.
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Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Though chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized mainly by the duration and severity of the fatigue that occurs, there are other definite symptoms that should be watched for. If experiencing four or more of the following, one may suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Diagnosis should be left to a healthcare professional. While chronic fatigue syndrome seems indiscriminating in who it touches, there are certain risk factors that make one group more likely to experience this syndrome than others.

Chronic fatigue syndrome affects women at four times the rate of men, although at this time it is uncertain whether that is simply due to the fact that women are more likely to report it.

CFS is most common among people in their 40´s-50´s, precisely the time period when most women are undergoing the menopausal transition. This leads to the common misconception that other menopausal symptoms are signs of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Menopausal Symptoms Commonly Mistaken for CFS: • Fatigue • Sleep Disorders • Migraines • Bone and Joint Pains • Dizziness

Read on to learn more about what the most common causes of chronic fatigue syndrome are considered to be, in order to learn how to best cope with it.

Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Unfortunately, a definite cause has not been determined for chronic fatigue syndrome. This is a field that is still being researched, though various theories apply. Due to its similarity to other infectious diseases such as mononucleosis, it has been thought that perhaps CFS itself is also caused by a virus, though no one virus has been isolated.

Other theories include an immune system disorder, or nutritional deficiencies. Again, as no one root cause has been determined yet for this elusive disease, treatment becomes very difficult. However, there are ways to manage the symptoms. Keep reading to learn more about coping techniques for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Management

No cure has as yet been found for chronic fatigue syndrome, though there are certainly management techniques which have been proven to help alleviate the symptoms.

Helpful Hints

• Stretching exercises such as yoga help to reduce stress and calm the body.
• A balanced diet helps regulate mood and leads to increased energy levels.
• Avoid caffeine/alcohol/stimulants.
• Support groups provide a sense of community.

Again, however, common fatigue is often mistaken for chronic fatigue syndrome. As fatigue during menopause is most often caused by low hormonal levels, a hormone balancing program is typically the most effective solution. Although there are several ways to manage fatigue, the safest and most results-driven path is to combine therapies such as different lifestyle approaches, with alternative medicine.

Click the following link to learn specific treatments for fatigue , which begin with lifestyle changes, move onto alternative medicines, and finally, if those options don´t seem to help, drugs and surgery. The most effective treatments for fatigue typically combine lifestyle changes and alternative medicines.

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