Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder that causes extreme fatigue. This fatigue is not the kind of tired feeling that goes away after you rest. Instead, it lasts a long time and limits your ability to do ordinary daily activities.

Symptoms of CFS include fatigue for 6 months or more and experiencing other problems such as muscle pain, memory problems, headaches, pain in multiple joints, sleep problems, sore throat and tender lymph nodes. Since other illnesses can cause similar symptoms, CFS is hard to diagnose.

No one knows what causes CFS. It is most common in women in their 40s and 50s, but anyone can have it. It can last for years. There is no cure for CFS, so the goal of treatment is to improve symptoms. Medicines may treat pain, sleep disorders and other problems.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome on Wikipedia

'''Chronic fatigue syndrome''' ('''CFS''') is a condition of excessive fatigue, cognitive impairment and other varied symptoms. Classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a disease of the nervous system, it is of unknown etiology and may last months or years, causing severe disability.

Definition

In strict medical terms, the name ''chronic fatigue syndrome'' refers only to a pattern of symptoms (see below), and may in fact reflect several different disorders causing similar symptoms. While it can certainly be classified as a disease, there are no investigations that can confirm or rule out the diagnosis. Certain scoring systems have been designed to classify symptoms.

Nomenclature

There are a number of different syndromes which have been at various times identified with CFS. * ''Chronic Fatigue Syndrome'' (CFS); this name was introduced in 1988 by a group of researchers, given that most other names were inaccurate. * ''Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome'' (CFIDS); many people, especially patients in the United States, use the term CFIDS (pronouced ''[See-Fids]''), which was originally an acronym for " or "Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysregulation Syndrome". These terms were based on the belief that the illness is caused by problems with the immune system. Although this view is less prevalent, the acronym CFIDS is still used. * ''Myalgic Encephalomyelitis'' ''Myalgic Encephalitis'' (ME); outside the United States, "ME" is in common use, meaning "infection and swelling of the brain with muscle pain" or "infection of the brain with muscle pain" respectively. Like CFIDS, the term ME is often used although its original meaning is inaccurate. * ''Post-viral (fatigue) syndrome'' (PVS or PVFS); this is a slightly more general and therefore more accurate equivalent of ''ME''. * ''Chronic Epstein-Barr Virus'' (CEBV) or ''Chronic Mononucleosis''; this name was in common use before CFS became more prevalent. The Epstein-Barr virus, ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

Cold February - Group formed to raise funds for and awareness of chronic fatigue syndrome. Band and cause information and song sample.

Ralston, Rita - A Little Bit of Heaven - The author, a sufferer of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, offers her poetry about life, friendship and encouragement.

Comfort-U - Total body support pillow offered to individuals suffering with pain associated with fibromyalgia, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and backaches. Site provides online ordering, testimonials, a newsletter, care tips, and list of uses.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Holistic help for chronic fatigue syndrome from a former sufferer. Pat Taylor offers information, research, assistance, articles on how to overcome this disease.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Healing resources for patients, family and friends. Preview the first 25 pages for free.

FibroActive - Nutritional and herbal supplements treating fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, reduce stress, relieve bone and joint pain, and boost the immune system.

Healing Dreams - Harry Bosma describes the connections between his personal experience with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and his dreams.

Immune Web - Support and information forum for people with multiple chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other immune system disorders.

MCS-Heightened Senses Network - Support group and forum for those suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome News - News and articles, chat rooms, message boards, coping suggestions and events.

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