Chronic Fatigue Symptom

Just recently, researchers uncovered a culprit for CFS, which is the XMRV chronic fatigue retrovirus. While studies are promising, scientists are still looking into the way a retrovirus may be causing the main chronic fatigue symptom of constant exhaustion. Even so, many patients finally feel vindicated that the world is looking at them as though they have a real, serious condition. Head researcher, Dr. Judy Mikovits explained, "It's amazing to me that anyone could look at these patients and not see that this is an infectious disease that has ruined lives."

The most well-known symptom is fatigue. However, this fatigue is nothing like what most people feel after a hardy workout at the gym or a particularly nerve-wracking day at work. The Centers for Disease Control describes it as "severe, incapacitating and all-encompassing." People with CFS often cannot go to work, go to school, participate in social activities or take care of their personal needs because they always feel mentally foggy and physically rundown. In the most severe cases, patients never leave their beds or their homes. Most recently, it's been discovered that the condition may be linked to a chronic fatigue retrovirus called XMRV.

This chronic fatigue symptom is sometimes referred to as "post-exertion malaise." Following mental or physical exertion, a CFS patient's related symptoms worsen. He or she may feel severe joint and muscular pain, develop an unusual headache or encounter an extremely sore throat. Rather than feel as though they just worked out, these patients feel like they've just been hit with the flu. Their limbs are heavy, their energy is waning, they are sensitive to lights and sounds, and they can't focus or concentrate. This horrible feeling begins 12-48 hours after exertion and continues on for an extended period of time.

"Chronic fatigue syndrome is a viable medical condition. It's not 'all in your head,'" said Dr. Robert Matsko Sr. of the Broad Street Family Health Center in Marysville, Pennsylvania. "The problem is that there's no specific test for CFS. The symptoms are nonspecific and so people don't come in because of this. They think they'll just live with it, but it only gets worse. There are many different levels of it, from people still being able to work to people who can't get out of bed." Studies conclude that anywhere from 1 - 4 million Americans may be suffering with the chronic fatigue virus but less than 20% have come forward to seek diagnosis for their chronic fatigue symptom.

Next related article about chronic fatigue symptom
Where To Learn About Fatigue Syndrome
There are many fatigue syndrome groups on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.

Latest Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
CDC research also points to trouble in the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis in the brain as one of the potential causes of chronic fatigue syndrome. Physical or emotional stress activates the HPA axis that increases the release of the stress hormone cortisol, dopamine and seratonin, which has a host of effects on the immune system. Doctors who treat patients for fibromyalgia say the same sort of hormonal abnormalities play a part in the mysterious condition they treat too.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes
What are the root chronic fatigue syndrome causes? For years, researchers struggled to find any sort of rhyme or reason behind this mysterious condition. Their patients were sleeping full eight hour nights, but still woke up feeling foggy and confused. They struggled to make new short-term memories and find the right words when speaking.