Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Information by Jane Thurnell-Read

Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. It is not simply feeling tired because you ate working too hard or burning the candle at both ends.

As well as the main CFS symptom of chronic tiredness, people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome describe other symptoms such as weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, insomnia, and post-exertcise fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. In some cases, CFS can persist for years. There are no specific diagnostic tests for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Definition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A great deal of debate has surrounded the issue of how best to define CFS. In an effort to resolve these issues, an international panel of CFS research experts convened in 1994 to draft a definition of CFS that would be useful both to researchers studying the illness and to clinicians diagnosing it. In essence, in order to receive a medical diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, a patient must satisfy two criteria:

• Have severe chronic fatigue of six months or longer duration with other known medical conditions excluded by clinical diagnosis

and

• Concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms:
  • substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration
  • sore throat
  • tender lymph nodes
  • muscle pain
  • multi-joint pain without swelling or redness
  • headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
  • unrefreshing sleep
  • post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours

The symptoms must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months of illness and must not have predated the fatigue.

People with fibromyalgia syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis, neurasthenia, multiple chemical sensitivities, and chronic mononucleosis amy also experince symptoms of chronic tiredness.

In addition, there are other illnesses that can result in fatigue. These include hypothyroidism, sleep apnea and narcolepsy, major depressive disorders, chronic mononucleosis, bipolar affective disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, cancer, autoimmune disease, hormonal disorders, sub-acute infections, obesity, alcohol or substance abuse, and reactions to prescribed medications.  Itisimportant that these illnesses are ruled out as some of them at least have specific treatment programmes that can be employed.

In addition to the eight primary defining symptoms of CFS, a number of other symptoms have been reported by some CFS patients. They include abdominal pain, alcohol intolerance, bloating, chest pain, chronic cough, diarrhea, dizziness, dry eyes or mouth, earaches, irregular heartbeat, jaw pain, morning stiffness, nausea, night sweats, psychological problems (depression, irritability, anxiety, panic attacks), shortness of breath, skin sensations, tingling sensations, and weight loss.

Treatment of CFS

There is no specific medical treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. Lifestyle changes, including prevention of over-exertion, reduced stress, dietary restrictions, gentle stretching and nutritional supplementation, are frequently recommended in addition to drug therapies used to treat sleep, pain and other specific symptoms.
Over-exertion can lead to the symptoms becoming worse.

Recovery from CFS

CFS affects each individual differently. Some people with CFS remain homebound and others improve to the point that they can resume work and other activities, even though they continue to experience symptoms. Recovery rates for CFS are unclear. Improvement rates varied from 8% to 63% in a 2005 review of published studies. There s anecdotal evdence that some people respond well to complementary therapies.

See US Centers For Disease Control And Prevention for more information.