Where To Learn About Fatigue Syndrome

Fatigue syndrome is an important topic in women's health these days. Many women begin feeling a bit rundown from an illness and they simply never feel better again. Researchers aren't precisely sure what causes patients to feel so tired all the time, no matter how much sleep they get, but recent findings indicate that some sort of retrovirus may be the culprit. It's hard to find answers for such a mysterious ailment, but many patients find strength through communities, social groups and advocacy networks. Here are some places where you can learn more about chronic fatigue statistics, symptoms, news, treatments and awareness.

One of your first stops to learn about this syndrome is the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America (CFIDS) website. Currently, CFIDS is the largest and most active charitable organization dealing with the chronic fatigue syndrome virus. This organization has been in operation since 1987 and has invested over $26.8 million in CFS awareness and treatment initiatives. On the site, you'll find links to social networking pages about CFS, where you can connect with others. You can read about medical research and news pertaining to CFS, find information on fundraiser events, receive e-newsletters and learn how to get involved with patient advocacy.

There is also a wealth of medical news, articles and fatigue syndrome information at the Centers for Disease Control website, at www.cdc.gov/cfs. Here you will learn about the basic facts and symptoms, what CFS is and who is at risk, how to get a diagnosis, how to talk to your doctor, treatment options, where to find support groups and what the possible causes are. You'll be able to learn more about the CDC's chronic fatigue syndrome awareness campaign, read about the latest news, receive brochures and find federal resources.

There are many fatigue syndrome groups on Facebook: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=18748211527&ref=search&sid=500705098.2310080482..1 (480 members) and www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10899260721&ref=search&sid=500705098.2310080482..1 (379 members). Or, if you prefer, there are groups on Myspace: www.groups.myspace.com/CFS (786 members), www.myspace.com/cfss (452 members) and www.groups.myspace.com/fibrofoxesfriends (721 members). Once you're diagnosed, you may feel like, "But I still have so many questions on my health!" Many of your questions can be answered by people who've lived with the syndrome and tried various treatments. It can be incredibly empowering to talk with others who truly understand what you're going through.

Next related article about fatigue syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Symptoms
One of the earliest chronic fatigue symptoms is central nervous system damage. Often, chronic fatigue retrovirus, a chronic infection or exposure to a toxin results in this damage, which leads to symptoms like a change in blood pressure, breathing irregularities, irritable bowel syndrome, visual disturbances, burning sensations, chest pain and hypersensitivity. Since these are such wide-ranging symptoms, one can see how it's easy to misdiagnose chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

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 And Fibromyalgia
Severe fibromyalgia and CF sufferers say that fatigue is the most debilitating part of their condition because they feel hyper-sensitive to pain and never fully alert, which can affect all of their day-to-day activities. Therefore, CF and fibromyalgia treatments usually begin with sleep management, says Mary Rose, a clinical psychologist and behavioral sleep specialist at Houston's Baylor College of Medicine. "We know from research that sleep improves mood, pain, and in general how people feel during the day," she explains.