Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a medical condition that produces a long-lasting tiredness, achiness, and general lack of energy. The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is not known. Many scientific studies have linked chronic fatigue syndrome to viral infections, such as infections with the Epstein-Barr virus, but a definitive association has not been established.

People with chronic fatigue syndrome often find that they become exhausted after minor exertion. Activities that they once considered to be normal activities of daily life may become impossible or extremely difficult. Along with these symptoms of easy fatigability, many people experience other symptoms, such as a generalized achiness, low-grade fevers, and in some cases, night sweats.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a clinical diagnosis. That is, there are no specific laboratory tests that can diagnose it. The diagnosis is established through a doctor’s clinical judgment. While treatments are available, none of them can cure the condition. The foundation of treatment is what doctors refer to as supportive care. Supportive care consists of good nutrition and hydration, treatment of pain with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and most importantly, rest.

While improvement is often slow, chronic fatigue syndrome generally resolves spontaneously. Most people experience improvement over a course of weeks to months. In a small minority of cases, chronic fatigue syndrome can become a long-lasting problem.

Seek prompt medical care if you experience severe fatigue that is new for you, does not go away, and seems to have no obvious cause; if you are experiencing fatigue that is far more severe than you’ve ever experienced or that interferes with your other activities; or if you are being treated for chronic fatigue syndrome, but symptoms recur or are persistent. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, experience serious symptoms, such as depression that is severe enough to give you suicidal thoughts.