Chronic Fatigue Syndrome affects roughly one million US adults, and it can be very disruptive to one’s life. The name Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (which is commonly called CFS) largely describes the afflictions of the disease, but a diagnosis takes a bit more than this. If you have been unusually tired lately, and if you cannot trace this to extra exertion or lack of sleep, you can use the following signs to decide whether you might have CFS yourself.

One of the first signs of CFS is that you are consistently feeling fatigued for no reason that you can specifically point to. If you have CFS, this fatigue would be so extreme that it is reducing your activity levels. If this is the case for you, it is probably time for you to start looking for the additional signs of CFS.

The following are among the additional signs of CFS: decreased levels of memory or concentration; muscle pain for no discernable reason; headaches that have increased in regularity or severity from what you are used to; a persistent and recurring soar throat; joint pain; and sleep that hardly refreshes you at all. If you find that a combination of these symptoms is persisting for around six months or longer, you should plan to see a physician so they can test you for CFS. Because CFS is defined and diagnosed in a number of different ways, this diagnosis from a doctor will come by process of elimination. If they are unable to find any other cause for your symptoms, they are likely to classify you as suffering from CFS.

While CFS has a number of “cures,” none of them have been proven to work across the board. The severity of CFS comes into play here, as does the instigating factor. For instance, antidepressants can help to solve CFS for those who are suffering due to depression. Furthermore, dietary adjustments and regular exercise can help some people combat their bouts with CFS. Search for a doctor who has dealt with CFS before if you find that you have it yourself. Such a doctor will be better-equipped to help you with the nuances of this terrible affliction.

If you find that you have been excessively tired lately for no explainable reason, your best bet is to cross your fingers and hope it goes away. If, however, it does not simply go away, you might have CFS, and you will certainly want to begin fighting it as quickly as you can.