CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome)

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Topic Overview

What is chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that causes fatigue severe enough to interfere with your ability to participate in normal work, recreational, or social activities. Fatigue caused by CFS does not improve substantially with rest.

Most experts now believe that chronic fatigue syndrome is a distinct physical disease with physical symptoms. Although poorly understood, CFS is quite real and can make functioning normally difficult for many people who have it.

What causes CFS?

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown. There are likely to be multiple factors or triggers that lead to the development of CFS in those people who are susceptible.

Sometimes CFS appears to develop following a viral or bacterial infection, but there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between infectious disease and CFS.

What are the symptoms of CFS?

In addition to fatigue, CFS causes symptoms that may include sleep problems, a decreased ability to think clearly and concentrate, memory problems, fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, and tender glands in the neck or armpits. Symptom flare-ups may follow periods of previously well-tolerated mental or physical activity and can last for several days.

How is CFS diagnosed?

Unfortunately, there are no laboratory or imaging tests that can diagnose CFS. CFS can be diagnosed only after a thorough evaluation has ruled out other possible causes of chronic fatigue. There are many health problems that can cause fatigue. Most people who have chronic fatigue do not have the illness chronic fatigue syndrome.

How is CFS treated?

Treatment of CFS requires a combination of therapies and a collaborative relationship between you and your doctor. Since there is no primary treatment for CFS, medications and behavioral strategies are generally used together to achieve symptom relief and improved function. Some trial and error may be necessary, as there is no single treatment that is effective for all people with CFS.

Who is affected by CFS?

CFS is most often diagnosed in people between 25 and 45 years of age. Women are approximately twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with the condition. Some studies show that between 100 and 300 individuals per 100,000 have CFS.1

CFS is rare in children. It may occur in teenagers, especially young teenage girls. Unlike in adults, CFS in teenagers is more likely to develop after an illness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS):

What is CFS? What causes CFS? What are the symptoms of CFS? What happens during the course of CFS? Can CFS be prevented? Who is at risk for CFS?

Being diagnosed:

How is CFS diagnosed? Who can diagnose CFS? What should I do if I have signs of CFS? Are there other conditions with the same symptoms as CFS?

Getting treatment:

How is CFS treated? Can I treat CFS at home? Are there medications I can take for CFS?

Ongoing concerns:

What if my symptoms get worse? How long will my CFS last?

Living with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS):

How can I live with the symptoms of CFS?

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Last updated: June 16, 2003

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