Chronic fatigue syndrome is a semi-new diagnosis. It is basically a diagnosis of omission, meaning that only after all other possible differential diagnoses have been ruled out by diagnostic tests will the doctor state the patient has it. The major symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, as would be expected, is fatigue. The fatigue is usually overwhelming, causing severe impairment in the patient's daily life and is not relieved much by rest. It is also accompanied by muscle and joint pain, impaired memory and cognition, and severe headaches, and often sciatica. These symptoms must be present for at least six months.

 

The exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, but many cases begin with severe flu or after a period of intense stress. About 4 in every 1000 adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. Only 5-10% of these patients will be cured of chronic fatigue syndrome despite receiving treatment. Popular treatment includes changes in diets, pain medication, physical therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, antidepressants, pacing, and alternative medicine and therapy.

Sciatica is a symptom of back pain that is characterize by sharp pain down the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back, down the buttock and through the back of the leg. The pain is usually caused by compression or irritation of the nerve. It may also be accompanied by muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, and difficulty moving the leg that is affected. It is one of the most common types of back pain and usually effects only once side of the patient's body.

It is not uncommon for people that suffer from sciatica to feel depressed, or tired all the time. Sciatica causes inactivity, inactivity can lead to negative thinking and a lack of energy.

Treatment of sciatica varies depending on what is causing the symptoms. Sciatica itself is not a diagnosis. The problem is diagnosed by evaluating the level of pain a patient experiences when moving certain ways. If this does not tell the doctor what is wrong, the patient may need to go for diagnostic tests such as an MRI or CT scan. Treatment options, though not all are reccomended, may include pain medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, or narcotics; physical therapy; steroid injections; non-surgical spinal decompression; massages; chiropractic adjustments; and ultrasounds. If these interventions do not work, surgery may be required, however, studies have indicated that while surgery may cure pain faster, two years of non-invasive procedures can provide the same outcome. In many cases, the success rate for back pain surgery is not more than 50%

To learn more about Sciatica, click here.