"Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue – Best Strategies for Work!"

By Carol Ryland

Fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome are considered to be autoimmune diseases... meaning that people suffering with one or both of these illnesses have immune systems that are attacking their own healthy organs and tissues.  The medical community also classifies these conditions as "syndromes." Both illnesses are represented by a group of symptoms and characteristics which occur simultaneously.  Millions of Americans are affected by these illnesses, most of them women.

People with fibromyalgia experience intense pain all over, particularly at specific points on the body.   They constantly feel exhausted.  It's also common for fibromyalgia sufferers to have difficulty concentrating, following instructions and remembering things... a condition called brain fog.  Because of these symptoms, many sufferers are forced to put severe limits on their physical and cognitive activities, including at their place of work.

Chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers deal with extreme fatigue, chronic pain, and a group of other issues including a flu-like condition with chronic cough and sore throat.  People with chronic fatigue syndrome are not just tired all the time.  They are so run down that it becomes difficult or even impossible for them to function at home and at work.  Some sufferers become severely disabled or even bedridden.

The scientific and medical communities theorize that fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome are actually different manifestations of the same autoimmune disease.  Both syndromes are chronic and are subject to flares when symptoms intensify suddenly.  They  include pain, fatigue and numerous other symptoms like these:  memory and cognitive problems, chronic headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, jaw and facial pain, and sleep that doesn't refresh.