Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Month
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March is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Awareness Month, which you may know as chronic fatigue syndrome.
According to the CDC, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious, long-term illness that affects many body systems. People with ME/CFS are often not able to do their usual activities. At times, ME/CFS may confine them to bed. People with ME/CFS have severe fatigue and sleep problems. ME/CFS may get worse after people with the illness try to do as much as they want or need to do. This symptom is called post-exertional malaise (PEM). Other symptoms can include problems with thinking and concentrating, pain, and dizziness.
This Institute of Medicine report says an estimated 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans struggle with ME/CFS, but most have not been diagnosed.
Symptoms of ME/CFS can vary between person to person and the severity of symptoms can fluctuate day to day. Besides persistent fatigue, the Mayo Clinic lists additional symptoms as:
Extreme exhaustion after physical or mental exercise.
Problems with memory or thinking skills.
Dizziness that worsens with moving from lying down or sitting to standing.
Muscle or joint pain.
Unrefreshing sleep.
Some people with chronic fatigue syndrome have headaches, sore throats, and tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits. People with the condition also may become extra sensitive to light, sound, smells, food and medicines.
Because fatigue can be a symptom of many illnesses, the safest thing to do is see your doctor if you have persistent or excessive fatigue. From there, your healthcare provider can refer you to Campbell County Health Sleep Clinic, The Sleep Clinic under the medical direction of Michael S. Nolledo, MD and staffed by Registered Polysomnographic Technologists and Respiratory Therapists. Specially designed for sleep studies, our Sleep Clinic provides a full range of diagnostic and treatment for more than 70 different sleep disorders.
Talk to your provider about your sleep habits and any symptoms of fatigue you may have and learn more about Campbell County Health Sleep Clinic on our website.
Source: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis CDC
