| Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is one of | | | | many other disorders. Fatigue, for instance, |
| several names given to a poorly understood, | | | | is found in hundreds of illnesses, and 10% to |
| highly debilitating disorder of uncertain | | | | 25% of all patients who visit general |
| cause/causes, which is thought to affect | | | | practitioners complain of prolonged fatigue. |
| approximately 4 per 1,000 adults. People | | | | A CFS diagnosis should be considered in |
| previously healthy and full of energy may | | | | patients who present with six months or more |
| experience a variety of symptoms, including | | | | of unexplained fatigue accompanied by other |
| extreme fatigue, weakness and headaches as | | | | characteristic symptoms. These symptoms |
| well as difficulty concentrating and painful | | | | include: |
| joints, muscles and lymph nodes. Typically | | | | |
| CFS follows a viral infection (e.g. cold or | | | | * cognitive dysfunction, including impaired |
| viral stomach bug), and is sometimes found | | | | memory or concentration |
| after mononucleosis infections. Non-specific | | | | |
| symptoms of fatigue , tiredness , exhaustion | | | | * postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 |
| , and aches make CFS difficult to diagnose | | | | hours (exhaustion and increased symptoms) |
| and similar to other conditions such as lupus | | | | following physical or mental exercise |
| , multiple sclerosis , fibromyalgia and Lyme | | | | |
| disease. People with CFS are often unable to | | | | * unrefreshing sleep |
| perform normally at work and home because of | | | | |
| their long-term fatigue and problems with | | | | Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
| short-term memory. | | | | |
| | | | The first step is to see if there is any |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome affects tens of | | | | other explainable cause for your fatigue. |
| thousands of people. It occurs more commonly | | | | Your doctor will probably want to review your |
| in females than in males. This condition | | | | symptoms and medical history, and give you a |
| occurs most commonly in young to middle-aged | | | | physical exam. Your doctor may also want to |
| adults. People with CFS are often unable to | | | | do some blood tests, but lab testing is not |
| perform normally at work and home because of | | | | often helpful in the diagnosis of CFS. |
| their long-term fatigue and problems with | | | | |
| short-term memory. This can lead to | | | | Pacing is an important way of controlling |
| depression, but depression is not a cause of | | | | symptoms. It means finding a balance between |
| CFS | | | | activity and rest, and avoiding large bursts |
| | | | of exercise that may set you back. Learning |
| Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | how to make the most of your energy can help |
| | | | to increase the amount you can do. |
| The cause of CFS is not yet known. Current | | | | |
| research is exploring the possibility that | | | | How can I help myself? |
| people with CFS may have a dysfunction of the | | | | |
| immune and central nervous systems. | | | | * Keep a daily diary to identify times when |
| Scientists are also studying various | | | | you have the most energy. Plan your |
| metabolic abnormalities and risk factors | | | | activities for these times. |
| (including genetic predisposition, age, sex, | | | | |
| prior illness, environment, and stress) that | | | | * Keep up some level of activity and |
| may affect the development and course of the | | | | exercise, within your abilities. Your doctor |
| disease. | | | | can help you plan an exercise program to |
| | | | maintain your strength at whatever level is |
| Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | possible. Exercise can help your body and |
| | | | mind. |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome shares symptoms with | | | | |