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