Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Alternate Names : CFS, Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
The Center for Disease Control, or CDC, has established criteria for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. First of all, the individual must have a recent history of fatigue. The fatigue must be severe and last, whether constant or not, for at least six months. This fatigue is not relieved by rest. It forces people to reduce their level of activity. Many people describe a sudden onset of fatigue triggered by a physical stress, such as an illness or injury.
At the same time, the person must have at least four of the following eight symptoms for CFS to be diagnosed:
feeling bad or having discomfort after any type of exertion
impaired memory or concentration
joint pain affecting multiple joints
muscle pain
new headaches, meaning the headaches did not occur before the person started to have severe fatigue
sore throat
tender lymph nodes in the armpit or neck
unrefreshing sleep
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