Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder characterized by extreme fatigue or tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest and can’t be explained by an underlying medical condition. CFS can also be referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID).
Causes:
The causes of CFS aren’t fully understood yet. Some theories include viral infection, psychological stress, or a combination of factors. Because no single cause has been identified, and because many other conditions produce similar symptoms, CFS can be difficult to diagnose.
Diagnoses:
There are no tests for CFS. Your doctor will have to rule out other causes for your fatigue when determining a diagnosis.
While CFS was previously a controversial diagnosis, it’s now widely accepted as a medical condition. CFS can affect anyone, though it’s most common among women Trusted Source in their 40s and 50s. There’s currently no cure, but treatment can relieve symptoms.
Here’s what you need to know about CFS, including symptoms, treatment options, and outlook.
Symptoms:
• Symptoms of CFS vary based on the individual and the severity of the condition.
• The most common symptom is fatigue that’s severe enough to interfere with your daily activities.
• For CFS to be diagnosed, a significantly reduced ability to perform your usual daily activities with fatigue must last for at least 6 months. It must not be curable with bed rest.
• You will also experience extreme fatigue after physical or mental activities, which is referred to as post-exertional malaise (PEM). This can last for more than 24 hours after the activity.
CFS can also introduce sleep problems, such as:
• Feeling unrefreshed after a night’s sleep
• Chronic insomnia
• Other sleep disorders
In addition, you may also experience:
• Loss of memory
• Reduced concentration
• Orthostatic intolerance (going from lying or seated to standing positions makes you light-headed, dizzy, or faint)
Physical symptoms of CFS may include:
• Muscle pain
• Frequent headaches
• Multi-joint pain without redness or swelling
• Frequent sore throat
• Tender and swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits
CFS affects some people in cycles, with periods of feeling worse and then better.
Symptoms may sometimes even disappear completely, which is referred to as remission. However, it’s still possible for symptoms to return later, which is referred to as a relapse. This cycle of remission and relapse can make it difficult to manage your symptoms, but it’s possible.
