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