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Chronic fatigue syndrome
If your child is often very tired and weak, but doesn't feel more energised after getting some sleep, he might be suffering from Chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a complicated illness that can be difficult to diagnose, but it can be just as common in children as in adults. It can also be harder to recognise in kids because they don't always know how to tell us they are tired and weak.
CFS, sometimes just called “Chronic fatigue", is the common name for what doctors call Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a condition that affects the muscles, brain, and spinal cord. Doctors aren't sure what causes it, but most agree that it seems to follow some other medical issue, such as an infection, trauma, illness, or even some types of stress.
CFS can be confusing
CFS is hard to diagnose because the symptoms are often very non-specific. It can be more severe in one child and less severe in another. Some kids get better over time while others have frequent relapses. Sometimes the symptoms come on quickly, and, other times, they take a while to develop. The illness is highly unpredictable.
Chronic fatigue and activity
For some children with CFS, even a walk to the park can be exhausting. They may be too tired to study, and their school work may be affected. If CFS is left untreated, or if it gets worse, your child can become depressed and may feel isolated from friends.
There are so many different symptoms of CFS that you'll need to visit the doctor for a diagnosis. Symptoms can include any or all of the following:
- Trouble with thinking or memory
- Disrupted sleep
- Muscle pain
- A drop in blood pressure upon standing (orthostatic hypotension)
- Increased heart rate upon standing (orthostatic tachycardia)
- Shortness of breath with exertion
- Muscle twitching and tingling
- Sensitivities to light, odours, touch, sound, foods, chemicals and medications
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Gastrointestinal and urinary problems
- Flu-like symptoms such as sore throat and swollen and tender lymph nodes
- Weight changes - extreme loss or gain
- Intolerance to hot or cold
CFS diagnosis, treatment and cure
Chroic fatigue syndrome is hard to diagnose and treat. Doctors don't know what causes it, so there is no way to prevent CFS. There's no blood test to diagnose it. As a matter of fact, medical tests might be completely normal in a child with CFS. It's important to see a specialist in CFS for diagnosis and treatment.
The best way to treat CFS often means doing whatever works best for your child. Most treatments focus on alleviating symptoms. Treatment options include:
- Psychological therapy
- Pain management
- Sleep aids
Experimental therapies include the use of ADHD medications, corticosteroids, and antiviral medications. Because what works for your child might be different from what works for another, it's important to work with a medical professional to determine what combination of therapies is most beneficial to your child.
Relaed CFS articles
Written by Rebecca Stigall for Kidspot, Australia's parenting resource for family health. Sources include Better Health Channel, NSW Health, and Health Insite.
Last revised: Thursday, 29 April 2010
This article contains general information only and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified health professional.
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