How to Identify Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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Feeling constantly tired is just one symptom of CFS -- check our expert's list for other potential signs, and learn how to self-diagnose this syndrome.
Question: "Could I have chronic fatigue syndrome?"
Answer: Maybe. Before making a diagnosis, your doctor will first have to rule out other possibilities, such as anemia, leukemia, lupus, cancer, thyroid or liver disease, and depression, says Derek Enlander, MD, author of The CFS Handbook (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association, 2002). Achy muscles, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, constant headaches, an inability to concentrate, short-term memory loss, and joint pain without swelling or redness are all signs of CFS. If you experience four or more of these symptoms for longer than six months, ask your physician to refer you to a specialist. For more information on the disease, go to the National CFIDS Foundation Web site at ncf-net.org.
Originally published in FITNESS magazine.
