Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is one of the several names given to a poorly understood, highly debilitating disorder of uncertain causes. Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by debilitating fatigue with associated myalgia, tender lymph nodes, arthralgia, chills, feverish feelings, and postexertional malaise. Despite promising avenues of research, there remains no objective assay or pathological finding that is widely accepted to be diagnostic of CFS. Diagnosis of CFS is primarily by exclusion with no definitive laboratory test or physical findings. Medical research continues to examine the many possible etiologic mechanisms for CFS (infectious, immunologic, neurologic, and psychiatric), but the answer remains elusive. It is known that CFS is a heterogeneous disorder possibly involving an interaction of biologic systems. Similarities with fibromyalgia exist and concomitant illnesses include irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and headache. Therefore, treatment of CFS may be variable and should be tailored to each patient. Therapy should include exercise, diet, good sleep, hygiene, antidepressants, and other medications, depending on the patient’s presentation.