- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is defined by two major criteria, chronic severe fatigue for at least six months not caused by a diagnosable disease or relieved with rest and at least four other specific symptoms that occur at the same time or after the development of severe fatigue.
- The cause of CFS is unknown.
- Risk factors are not clearly understood, but the majority of adults diagnosed are adult women age range of 40s to 50s; pediatric patients diagnosed are usually teenaged.
- The symptoms and signs of CFS are relatively specific: chronic severe fatigue for at least six months not caused by a diagnosable disease and at least four other specific symptoms such as cognitive impairment, muscle and/or joint pains, new types of headaches, tender lymph nodes, sore throat, non-refreshing sleep and malaise after exercise, that occur at the same time or after the development of severe fatigue.
- CFS is diagnosed by the two major criteria and symptoms and signs listed above.
- Treatment of CFS is based on treating the symptoms patients exhibit.
- The prognosis for CFS in adults is only fair to poor; children have a better or good prognosis with treatment.
- Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the usual preventive advise given by clinicians that treat CFS patients.
- Additional sources of information and support groups are available for CFS.
Reviewed by Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP on 9/15/2011
For more information on CFS, please visit Medicine Net
Also, you can visit the MAYO CLINIC WEBSITE for an in-depth article on CFS.
