Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are two conditions characterised by their difficulties: difficult to diagnose, treat, deal with and, for some patients, even to prove they exist.

Fibromyalgia causes chronic widespread pain and multiple tender areas known as trigger points. Patients also often experience insomnia, fatigue, headaches, memory difficulties, depression and other symptoms.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is marked by profound, long-lasting fatigue. Patients rest but cannot shake the overwhelming feelings of tiredness. There also other symptoms, such as impaired memory, sore throat, tender lymph nodes and muscle or joint pain. These patients usually wake up feeling tired and fatigued in the morning.

Both syndromes are more common in women than in men. And in each condition, the cause is unknown.