Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is the common name[1] for a group of significantl

y debilitating medical conditions characterized by persistent fatigue and other

specific symptoms that lasts for a minimum of six months in adults (and 3 months
in children or adolescents).[2] The fatigue is not due to exertion, not signifi
cantly relieved by rest, and is not caused by other medical conditions.[3][4] CF
S may also be referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), post-viral fatigue
syndrome (PVFS), chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), or by seve
ral other terms. Biological, genetic, infectious and psychological mechanisms ha
ve been proposed, but the etiology of CFS is not understood and it may have mult
iple causes.[5][6]
Symptoms of CFS include malaise after exertion; unrefreshing sleep, widespread m
uscle and joint pain, sore throat, headaches of a type not previously experience
d, cognitive difficulties, chronic and severe mental and physical exhaustion, an
d other characteristic symptoms in a previously healthy and active person. Addit
ional symptoms may be reported, including muscle weakness, increased sensitivity
to light, sounds and smells, orthostatic intolerance, digestive disturbances, d
epression, painful and often slightly swollen lymph nodes, cardiac and respirato
ry problems.[7] It is unclear if these symptoms represent co-morbid conditions o
r if they are produced by an underlying etiology of CFS.[5] CFS symptoms vary in
number, type, and severity from person to person.[8] Quality of life of persons
with CFS can be extremely compromised.[9]
Fatigue is a common symptom in many illnesses, but CFS is comparatively rare.[10
] Estimates of prevalence vary from 7 to 3,000 cases of CFS for every 100,000 ad
ults;[5][10] national health organizations have estimated more than one million
Americans and approximately a quarter of a million people in the UK have CFS.[11
][12] CFS occurs more often in women than men,[13][14] and is less prevalent amo
ng children and adolescents.[11]
Although there is agreement that CFS poses genuine threats to health, happiness
and productivity, various physicians' groups, researchers and patient advocates
promote differing nomenclatures, diagnostic criteria, etiologic hypotheses and t
reatments, resulting in controversy about many aspects of the disorder. The name
"chronic fatigue syndrome" is controversial; many patients and advocacy groups,
as well as some experts, believe the name trivializes the medical condition and
they promote a name change.[15]