Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a poorly understood disease involving many body systems. No single cause for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been identified. Therefore, it is defined by symptoms and by ruling out other known causes of fatigue. This needs to be done by a healthcare practitioner. Suggested causes include chronic viral infections, food allergy, adrenal gland dysfunction, and many others. None of these have been convincingly documented in more than a minority of sufferers. The current definition is disabling fatigue lasting more than six months that reduces activity by more than half. In some people there is also difficulty sleeping, swollen lymph nodes, and/or mild fever. When there is muscle soreness, fibromyalgia may be the actual problem. Although CFS is considered a modern diagnosis, it may have existed for centuries under other names, such as “the vapors,” neurasthenia, “effort syndrome” (diagnosed in World War I veterans), hypoglycemia, and chronic mononucleosis.
What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?
In addition to fatigue, there may also be muscle pain, joint pain not associated with redness or swelling, short-term memory loss, and an inability to concentrate. Some people with chronic fatigue syndrome also experience difficulty sleeping, swollen lymph nodes, and/or mild fever.
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