One of the biggest problems with diagnosing Chronic Fatigue (CF) is that the symptoms are so similar to many other conditions and illnesses.
It can be quite a process to get an accurate diagnosis.
When armed with knowledge, however, you can begin to eliminate causes and narrow down your illness so you can begin treating it.
Here are a few conditions that may cause similar symptoms as Chronic Fatigue: The most commonly misdiagnosis is fibromyalgia syndrome.
The biggest symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic and intense pain throughout the muscles and joints.
This pain can last for days, weeks and months.
Sufferers also deal with restless sleep, depression, stomach issues and fatigue.
Like Chronic Fatigue there is no known cause and the majority of the people who suffer from fibromyalgia are women.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis also mirrors some common CF Symptoms.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is a chronic, inflammatory, disease.
It's a neurological disease that affects the spinal cord and brain.
Common symptoms include muscle weakness, severe fatigue, balance problems, speech difficulties and circulation problems.
However, unlike CF, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is caused by a virus.
Chronic mononucleosis.
Remember the kissing disease, Mono? Well some people are chronic sufferers and mono has similar symptoms as Chronic Fatigue including a sore throat and extreme fatigue.
In addition to these major disease that mirror CF symptoms there are other conditions that share symptoms and muddy the diagnosis process.
They include: Other Conditions That May Cause Similar Symptoms * Hypothyroidism * Sleep Apnea * Narcolepsy * Bipolar Affective Disorders * Schizophrenia * Cancer * Autoimmune Disease * Hormonal Disorders * Obesity * Substance Abuse * Reactions To Prescribed Medications So how is Chronic Fatigue diagnosed? The best way to ensure a proper diagnosis is to be an effective communicator and your own advocate.
Track and document your symptoms.
Keep a journal that reflects your diet, habits and behaviors and symptoms.
Understand that your physician is dealing with a complicated process.
There are no tests for Chronic Fatigue and no cure.
If you're unsatisfied with your diagnosis, don't rest until you find a doctor who listens to you and offers assistance and direction.
Chronic Fatigue is one of the most difficult conditions to diagnose, however, the medical community recognizes the disease and there is documentation to support it.
More than one million Americans have been diagnosed and many millions are left with the wrong diagnosis or no diagnosis at all.
Take control of your health and the diagnosis process and look for answers.
Be an active participant in your health care.