Always Tired? It Could Be Sign Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Millions of Americans faced with constant exhaustion and pain may actually be suffering from an oft-misdiagnosed illness: chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 million to 4 million people in the United States suffer from "severe, incapacitating fatigue that isn't improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity." But because its myriad symptoms often appear in other illnesses, as many as 80 percent of the cases go undiagnosed.

That has led to a national CFS awareness campaign, two parts of which will arrive in Tampa next week. Starting Monday, a weeklong photo exhibit, "The Faces of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome," will be on display at the Museum of Science & Industry. It tells the story of people of all ages and races living with - and trying to treat - the debilitating illness.

A public "kNOw MORE" education seminar also will be held from 1 to 5:30 p.m. next Saturday at the Embassy Suites at the University of South Florida. Advance registration costs $25 and can be completed by calling (704) 364-0466 or registering online at cfids.org.

The awareness campaign, sponsored by the CDC and the CFIDS Association of America, includes recent research that points to chronic fatigue as a physical and not psychological disorder. The groups say individuals and health care professionals alike continue to have difficulty diagnosing the disease, which shows no outward symptoms. A diagnosis, however, is likely if the following criteria exist:

•Unexplained, persistent fatigue appears for no apparent reason, is not relieved by rest and results in significantly lower activity levels.

•Four or more of the following symptoms are present for six months or longer: impaired memory or concentration, extreme prolonged exhaustion following physical or mental activity, unrefreshing sleep, muscle pain, multijoint pain, new types of headaches, sore throat, and tender lymph nodes.

A staff report