Did you like the blog? Do you have some more information on the topic? Did it bring up any questions? Let the author know! Comment and earn 1 SmartPoint!
You liked this blog, but what was it you liked exactly? Offer encouragement for this author and let others know this blog is great. Stamp this blog with your approval!
Get automatic updates when they write new blogs and earn 2 SmartPoints when you follow this blogger.
If you enjoyed this blog, chances are your friends will too! Share it with friends outside the network on facebook, twitter and more!
Need Help? If you're feeling a little lost and you need some help using this page, please visit our Help Center HERE.
Want More SmartPoints Info? A complete listing of the activities that will earn you SmartPoints on the Network and their conditions is available HERE.
Sore throat is one common sign of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is often accompanied by a feeling of tenderness in the lymph nodes in your neck. However, to be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, your symptoms must last for six months or more. Because sore throat is a symptom for many other illnesses, you and your doctor must make sure that it is not being caused by something else. If you have felt exceptionally weary for six months, and had a sore throat for six months, you may have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFS. When you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, rest and sleep don't help, and it interferes with your daily life. You will probably experience other symptoms as well. Altogether there are 8 characteristic symptoms.
In order to be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, you must have at least four of the eight symptoms.
Though not part of the 8 defining symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, many CFS sufferers have reported other symptoms:
Women are 2 to 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with CFS, but doctors don't know if it's because women get it more often or if women are more likely to report their symptoms to their doctors. Middle aged people in their 40s and 50s are more likely to get Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. But it's possible for anyone to get it. Right now, doctors aren't entirely sure what causes the disease, so there isn't a way to prevent it. But be sure and tell your doctor if you have any symptoms. The CDC believes that fewer than 20 percent of people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have been diagnosed.
When doctors treat CFS, they often try to treat the individual symptoms because there is no official Chronic Fatigue Syndrome treatment. Beyond treating the symptoms, doctors are also trying some experimental treatments:
These self care tips can improve your ability to function and maintain your health while you work with your doctor:
Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfsbasicfacts.htm http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/DS00395/DSECTION=8 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/DS00395/DSECTION=10
HelloLife Guest
I had no idea a sore throat could be a symptom. Thanks for this information!
Commented on HelloLife March 09 2009 at 9:07 am
HelloLife Guest
Nice to know. I have often sore throat but I never think this could be a simptom for chronic fatiGue.Thank you.
Commented on HelloLife March 09 2009 at 9:14 pm
HelloLife Guest
I have most of the symptoms of CFS, but my Dr thinks I am just depressed. Sore throat, no energy, joint pain esp. hips, stiffness, trouble walking after sitting for long time. More diarrhea than not even if not eating. Flu like aches at times. Some short term memory loss when working crosswords or at other times, that I know!!!
I had a case of costochrondritis 3 yrs ago, and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. But I think this is past fibro-I also am not sad or have feelings of hopeless-ness.
y Dr thinks I just had a depression issue, but could this be? What do you think?
Commented on HelloLife July 14 2010 at 5:03 am
Inge
@HelloLifeGuest, above: if you have all of the symptoms, I would definitely get a second opinion. My motto is that doctors cannot be experts on everything - in which case, Dr. Google can become your best source!
I have all 8 of the key symptoms, and several of the secondary ones - and after seeing that all of my blood tests were "fine", and the ENT doc I was referred to found absolutely nothing wrong with my throat (despite what feels like ongoing, nonstop tonsillitis!), it was decided that nothing was officially wrong with me! :-/
Commented on HelloLife November 22 2011 at 7:48 pm
DEBORAH
I thought I might have CFS but I don't have all of the systems, my doctor thought was depressed. I started working out an taking homepathic solutions for depression as well as st john' s wort. I do feel much better but still have problems with memory.
Commented on HelloLife December 05 2011 at 8:17 am
Erin Froehlich
Memory problems are actually pretty commonly with cases of depression and stress which are both really demanding of our minds. I have a feeling that as you continue to feel better emotionally, your memory will improve. :)
Commented on HelloLife December 05 2011 at 8:53 am
vanessa
If your doing all the right things an your symtoms ae not going away you could have a gluten intolerance...... I have celiac disease. An I was constantly tired no energy... depressed confused axiety.. anemic etc eating gluten free changed my life
Commented on HelloLife January 16 at 12:42 am
Simon
I've had Chronic Fatigue or M.E as it's known in the Uk for about 10 years. This last while I've had lots of problems with repeated sore throats when I feel really run down. My main problem with this is, that as a singer, I feel that these periods of discomfort in my throat seem to be damaging my vocal chords as my singing range has been dramatically effected, even after I'm feeling much better and the discomfort when I sing doesn't go away any more. What do you think has been 'damaged' if so and is there anything I can do to help it recover?
Commented on HelloLife January 17 at 9:31 am
Dr. Jeff Chamberlain, MD
Simon,
Throat irritation can be a real problem with singers. The most direct way to know for sure if you have vocal cord damage would be to have laryngoscopy performed, where a Ear Nose and Throat specialist, uses a scope to directly look at the vocal cords. Although, a direct scope is not always needed.
I do have a few natural tricks that you can do to protect your vocal cords:
1. Take a broad spectrum probiotic every day. This has been proven to cut in half how many upper respiratory infections you get.
2. Use buckwheat honey before and after singing. Buckwheat honey is a darker thicker honey than the typical clover honey you get in the stores. It has been shown to be an antioxidant that also has antimicrobial effects. Some of my friends are professional singers, and they find the buckwheat honey works better than any commercial product. (I do not know how available buckwheat honey is in UK)
3. Don't Smoke! This is often the hardest one for a lot of singers to live by, but smoke creates inflammation of the vocal cords, which causes permanent damage.
Stay Healthy,
Dr. Jeff MD
Commented on HelloLife January 17 at 10:15 am
Joseph
It's hard not to think of myself as seriously flawed when I'm constantly dealing with things like soar throats, glands so swollen that I was barely able to swallow my own saliva in addition to all the symptoms listed above...especially the debilitating depression/anxiety I haven't been able to shake since 2001. I've tried a bevy of medications to just deal without any relief in sight. But to read that I'm not the only one who is experiencing my kind of discomfort I feel less alone and less doomed. Maybe there is a light at the end of this proverbial tunnel. Thank God I remember what it feels like to be on top of the world...so when I feel it again, I'll know it.
Commented on HelloLife May 03 at 12:03 am
© 2012 HelloLife® — The Smart Living Network
Page Views: 5,502,806
Visits Today: 45,360
SmartPoints Earned: 11,147,353
Report Abuse
