Chronic fatigue Syndrome: An inclusive approach towards its definition and its Literature

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This dissertation is an opportunity for me to extend my regards to my research supervisor, my beloved friends, and my family for their untiring support that they furnished throughout my research. I am grateful to them for their belief in me and the guidance that they provided me without which I would have never been able to work on and complete this research. It also signifies my own views and does not closely relate to the university.

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Date: __________________________



DECLARATION

I, (Your name), would like to declare that all contents included in this study stand for my individual work without any aid, and this proposal has not been submitted for any examination at academic as well as professional level, previously. It is also represents my very own views and not essentially those that are associated with other university.

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Abstract

The condition of chronic fatigue is characterised by the debilitating fatigue which is associated with the physical symptoms and is not relieved with rest. For chronic fatigue syndrome the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention criteria includes severe fatigue lasting longer than six months, along with the presences of four of the following symptoms: new headaches, tender lymph nodes, sore throat, polyarthralgia, muscle pain, impaired concentration or memory; unrefreshing sleep; and post exertional malaise. The purpose of this study was therefore, to examine and enhance the knowledge of general public and the patients to understand this condition and to promote the significance of offering an effective and timely care to the patient with this condition.

Outcomes and Methods: The foundation of this dissertation was based upon secondary data. A literature review was conducted and it aimed to answer the following clinical question: How Chronic fatigue Syndrome has been defined in the literature? For this purpose a literature review was conducted with some important libraries MEDLINE, CINHAL plus, Bio Med Central, EMBASE, EBSCO host and Pub Med Central database by using the keywords; chronic fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, fatigue, and myalgic encephalomyelitis. A clinical diagnosis was made only when other disease processes were excluded. The chronic fatigue syndrome etiology is not clear yet, it involves history of childhood trauma, linkage with few genetic markers, dysfunction of adrenal and immune system and it is likely to be complex. The chronic fatigue illness patients shall be evaluated for the sleep disturbances, pain, and concurrent depression. Treatments include the graded exercise therapy, and graded exercise therapy. Both these have shown to be reasonably improve the postexertional malaise, anxiety, social adjustment, work, and levels of fatigue, no alternative or pharmacologic medicine therapies has been proved to be effectual. Further researches should be encouraged to address chronic fatigue syndrome and its connected symptoms within the context of other chronic health conditions and high-risk populations.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSii

DECLARATIONiii

Abstractiv

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Purpose of the study2

Background of the study2

Etiology4

Problem statement6

Significance of the study8

Researcher expectations8

Aims and objectives8

Research question9

Definitions of difficult terms9

Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFS)9

Fatigue9

Chronic condition10

Syndrome10

Summary of the outline of this study10

CHAPTER 2: ...