For years, chronic fatigue has been approached with mixed reactions. Many researchers believe the condition is a serious concern, while others simply dismiss it.

Those who suffer from the condition are often faced with profound fatigue not improved by bed rest, often over a time frame spanning at least six months. Physical and mental activity doesn’t help, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, but instead, makes the condition worse.

When Sara Price moved to Cherokee County to help care for her mother, chronic fatigue wasn’t in the picture - at least, it hadn’t been diagnosed. After a few months, Sara’s mom Diane admitted she felt “exhausted and tired all the time, every day.”

“Now, we sort of think she has chronic fatigue,” said Sara. “The doctor feels like some of her exhaustion is from that.”

It’s a difficult line, as other health condition treatments suggest Diane stay active.

“She’s supposed to exercise to stay healthy, but with this (chronic fatigue), too much exercise is bad,” said Sara.

That’s why Sara takes her mom to the proper medical experts.

“They’ve shown us a way to compromise; it’s just learning how to manage your life,” said Diane. “We just have to follow what the doctor says and hope for the best, since there doesn’t seem to be any real confined treatment.”

Until she and her doctors are sure about it, Diane expects she’ll just have to deal with the occasional aches.

“She has headaches, and before, she never really did,” said Sara. “And she could sleep all day and feel just as tired as before. More like ‘exhausted.’”

It may be difficult to be securely diagnosed; in fact, the CDC says the causes of chronic fatigue have not been identified, and there are no specific diagnostic tests available. CDC estimates more than 1 million Americans have chronic fatigue, and women are four times more likely to have the condition than men.

Dr. Coy Edwards is one of several local physicians who referred questions concerning chronic fatigue elsewhere.

“We could talk about symptoms, but the best person to call would be a doctor of internal medicine,” Edwards offered, saying they may have more insight to give on the nebulous condition.

Several other local physicians offered the same advice through a series of phone calls: Chronic fatigue’s symptoms are commonly understood throughout the medical profession, but treatment and other concerns are best answered by an internal medicine physician, who will know more about his or her patients’ needs.

One such Cherokee County physician, referred by three other local physicians, was unable to return a call at press time.