Chronic fatigue syndrome, also called CFS, is a disorder characterized by severe fatigue that significantly reduces a person’s ability to do most normal daily activities. It is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID). Rest or sleep does not relieve the fatigue. In fact, prolonged rest may actually make the condition worse. CFS affects men and women of all ages, but it occurs most often in women from 30 to 40 years of age.
Other frequent symptoms of CFS include impaired memory or concentration, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, headache, difficulty sleeping, depression, and prolonged exhaustion following physical activity. A diagnosis of CFS requires the presence of at least four of these symptoms, in addition to severe fatigue, occurring over a period of at least six months.
The cause of CFS is not known. In patients with CFS, all common laboratory tests are normal, and doctors find no other possible cause of fatigue. Research shows that some patients have certain changes in the function of their immune system. These changes, however, also appear in patients with other disorders who do not have CFS. Some scientific studies suggest that people with CFS have a genetic makeup that affects the body’s ability to adapt to change. There is no evidence that CFS can be transmitted from person to person.
CFS is often a long-lasting illness that may get better or worse over time. Physicians can give medicines to relieve pain, sleeping problems, and depression. Some patients with CFS have low blood pressure and get better when given drugs to treat this condition. Doctors recommend moderate exercise increased gradually over time to help patients regain former activity levels. Many patients also benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy. In such therapy, they learn to redirect their energy into physical activities within their limits and to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
