Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
|
|
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Overview
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Questions to Ask the Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Other Therapy
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Support Groups and Counseling
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Viewer Comments: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Coping With the Symptoms
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Overview
Chronic fatigue syndrome (also called CFS) is a disorder without a known cause, although CFS may be related to a previous infection. CFS is a state of chronic fatigue that exists without other explanation for six months or more and is accompanied by cognitive difficulties (problems with short-term memory or concentration). You may have CFS if you meet the following criteria:
- if you have severe chronic fatigue for six months or longer and all other known conditions that could cause fatigue have been excluded by your health-care provider, or
- if you simultaneously have four or more of the following symptoms: significant problems with short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, pain in several joints without swelling or redness, headaches that are different in pattern or severity from previous headaches, feeling tired and unrefreshed even after sleeping, and extreme tiredness lasting more than 24 hours after you exercise or exert yourself.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes
The cause of CFS is unknown, but the condition may be related to infection with effects on the immune system. Several viruses have been studied as possible causes of CFS, but no cause-and-effect relationship has been discovered. Some evidence indicates that the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae (which causes pneumonia and other illnesses) may be a cause of CFS in some cases. People with chronic fatigue syndrome related to C. pneumoniae are most likely to respond to antibiotics that kill C. pneumoniae, and their CFS symptoms may improve with antibiotic medications such as doxycycline. However, this association is still being debated. Various unrelated infections appear to lead to long-term fatigue in some people. If the fatigue is accompanied by problems with short-term memory or concentration, CFS is possible.
- One of the associated infections is the Epstein-Barr virus, or EBV. EBV causes mononucleosis, also called "mono" or the "kissing disease." Although associated in some cases, EBV does not cause CFS, and CFS is not the same thing as long-term EBV infection or long-term mononucleosis.
- Other unrelated infectious diseases that appear to lead to fatigue include pneumonia, diarrhea, and bronchitis.
- Candida albicans infections (or yeast infections) do not cause CFS.
- adrenal insufficiency,
- malignancy,
- AIDS,
- liver disease,
- kidney disease,
- psychosomatic illness,
- Lyme disease,
- fibromyalgia,
- hepatitis C, and
- thyroid disease.
Next: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Coping With the Symptoms
How do you cope with chronic fatigue syndrome?
| Printer-Friendly Format | | | Email to a Friend |
Chronic Pain/Back Pain
Find tips and advances in treatment.
From WebMD
Fibromyalgia Resources
- Health Check: Manage Your Fibromyalgia Better
- Common Misdiagnoses for Fibromyalgia
- Is Your Home Making You Sick?
Featured Centers
- 12 Ways to Prevent the Spread of Viruses
- 10 Surprising Benefits of Treating Depression
- Healthy Home: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic?
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fatigue Overview
Fatigue is a common health complaint. It is, however, one of the hardest terms to define, and a symptom of many different conditions.
Fatigue, also known as weariness, tiredness, exhaustion, or lethargy, is generally defined as a feeling of lack of energy. Fatigue is not the same as drowsiness, but the desire to sleep may accompany fatigue. Apathy is a feeling of indifference that may accompany fatigue or exist independently.
Fatigue is common. Around 20% of Americans claim to have fatigue intense enough to interfere with their having a normal life. Physical causes are estimated at 20-60%, and emotional causes are the other 40-80%. The challenge is how to tell what is causing your fatigue and whether it is serious enough to see your doctor.
Fatigue Causes
- Sleep disturbances
- Not enough sleep
- Too much sleep
- Sleep apnea
...
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome »
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder of unknown etiology that probably has an infectious basis.
Featured Topics
Explore 80+ Centers
- Allergy
- Allergy Medications
- Anaphylaxis
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Baby's Health
- Back, Neck, Head Injury
- Bioterrorism, Warfare
- Blood, Lymphatic System
- Bone, Joint, Muscle
- Brain, Nervous System
- Breathing Difficulties
- Burns
- Camping
- Cancer, Tumors
- Children's Health
- Cholesterol
- Cold and Flu
- CPR, Choking
- Cuts, Scrapes, Bruises
- Dementia
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Diabetic Coma, Insulin Shock
- Digestive System
- Dislocations
- Drowning
- Drug Overdose
- Ear, Nose, Throat
- Emotional Wellness
- Endocrine System
- Environmental Injuries
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Exercise, Nutrition
- Eye, Vision
- Fainting
- Fever
- First Aid, Emergency
- First Aid Kits
- Food Poisoning
- Foreign Bodies
- Fractures, Broken Bones
- Glaucoma
- Headache
- Health, Medical
- Heartburn, GERD, Reflux
- Heart, Blood Vessels
- Heart Attack
- Hepatitis
- Immune System
- Incontinence
- Infections
- Kidneys, Urinary System
- Lung, Airway
- Medications
- Men's Health
- Mental Health, Behavior
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Nosebleeds
- Osteoporosis
- Outdoor Living
- Overexposure
- Poisoning
- Procedures
- Psoriasis
- Public Health
- Scuba Diving, Swimming
- Seizures
- Senior Health
- Shock
- Skin, Hair, Nails
- Sleep Disorders
- Social, Family Health
- Sports Injury
- Sprains, Strains
- Statins
- STDs
- Substance Abuse
- Teen Health
- Teeth, Mouth, Oral Health
- Weight Management
- Wilderness Emergencies
- Women's Health
- Wounds


