多年以来，慢性疲劳综合征（CFS）的患者发现他们越来越难得到足够的关注，医疗界认为他们的症状都是非特异性的而不需要治疗。很多患者被认为“这是你的精神症状”而被打发离开，但是最近CDC在美国慢性疲劳和免疫缺陷综合征协会的资助下发动社会和健康业内人士关注这一困扰大约100万美国人的苦恼。
由于CFS没有明确的血液检测和影像学检查来明确诊断，因此必须除外其它有类似症状的疾病，那么CFS的特点是什么呢？
感觉身体不适，通常有以下几种表现大于6个月：
• 找不到原因的非运动引起的持续疲劳。
• 记忆力或注意力下降。
• 醒来时感觉疲劳，即使在长时间睡眠后仍感觉疲劳。
• 不伴肿胀的肌肉或关节疼痛。
• 持续头痛。
• 咽喉疼痛或淋巴结疼痛。
目前专家仍不能确定CFS的真正原因，不过多数人认为可能与机体免疫系统有关。一部分人在病毒感染恢复后易患CFS。单核细胞增多症、莱姆病、红斑狼疮和纤维性肌炎等临床表现相似的疾病需要除外。
目前还没有针对CFS的治疗，下列措施对缓解症状有帮助：
• 找对医生，你需要一个医生能理解你的症状并排除可能存在的其他疾病。
• 药物治疗，有些治疗能够起作用，尤其对肌肉酸痛、睡眠问题和精神抑郁这些症状。
• 寻求家人和朋友的支持，并让他们理解你的这些感觉是疾病而不是想象。
• 定期锻炼，监测体重，这比较难做到，但确实有效。
• 健康平衡的饮食，有机饮食可提高免疫功能。远离垃圾食品，多吃富含维生素C、复合维生素B和精油的食物。
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME
For years, patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) found themselves fighting an uphill battle to get the attention they deserved. For many patients, the medical community and others viewed their symptoms as a laundry list of complaints that were not specific enough to be treated.
Many patients were outright dismissed with "It's all in your head." However, recently the CDC, with the help of the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America, began an initiative to inform the public, as well as health care professionals about this affliction that affects over one million people in the U.S.
Because there are no specific blood test or imaging studies that can pinpoint the diagnosis, CFS must be excluded from other medical conditions that could have similar clinical symptoms. So what are the hallmarks of CFS?
Basically, folks just don't feel right. Usually they have a combination of symptoms that last for more than six months. For example:
• Unexplained persistent fatigue not due to exercise.
• Impaired memory or concentration.
• Waking up tired, even after a long sleep.
• Muscle or joint pain without swelling.
• Persistent headaches.
• Sore throat or lymph node tenderness.
Many researcher specialists are still not sure about the exact cause of CFS, but one area of interest is our immune system. Special attention is being given to the way people recover from viral illnesses, and why some of those people then go on to develop CFS. There are some known diseases that have similar symptoms and must be ruled out, including mononucleosis, lyme disease, lupus, and fibromyalgia.
Even though there is no "silver bullet" treatment available, there are certain things that people can do to help with their symptoms:
• Find the right healthcare professional. You need someone who understands your symptoms and can do the right tests to separate them from any underlying medical conditions.
• Find out about pharmaceutical options. Certain medications could help, especially with symptoms like muscle pain, sleeping problems, or depression.
• Get a good support system from family and friends, and make sure they understand what you are feeling is a real disease, not just something in your imagination.
• Exercise regularly, and monitor your weight. I know it is easier said than done, but with the right support system it might just work.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. I like organic diets to help boost the immune system. Stay away from junk food, and seek out foods that are high in Vitamin C, B-complex, and essential oils.
编辑：蓝色幻想
