Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Description
A persistent incapacitating weakness or fatigue, accompanied by nonspecific somatic symptoms, lasting at least 6 months, and not attributable to any known cause. Studies have shown that CFS may be caused by inflammation of pathways in the nervous system. CFS may occur when a viral illness is complicated by a problem with the body's immune response. Other factors such as age, prior illness, stress, environment, or genetics may also play a role. CFS most commonly occurs in women ages 30 to 50.
Symptoms
Fatigue lasting more than 24 hours after an amount of exercise that would normally be easily tolerated, mild fever (101 degrees F or less), sore throat, lymph node tenderness in the neck or armpit, muscle weakness, muscle aches (myalgias), feeling unrefreshed after sleeping an adequate amount of time, headaches, joint pain, often moving from joint to joint (migratory arthralgias), forgetfulness, confusion, irritability.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be performed. The work-up involves ruling out other causes of the fatigue and symptoms including infections, autoimmune conditions (arthritis), tumors, endocrine diseases, drug dependence, or psychiatric illness.
- CBC
- Chem 12
- UA
- X-Ray
- CT Scan
- MRI
Treatment
Therapy depends on the extent of disease and the severity of the symptoms. Treatment includes: medications to treat depression, anxiety and pain.
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