Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). Internationally, it may also be called Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS). It is an acquired illness that affects all body symptoms, mostly the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. It is a debilitating disorder usually characterized by severe fatigue lasting six months or more. This profound fatigue interferes with activities of daily living (ADLs), work, school, and socializing. Its cause is not clearly understood. It appears that people may be genetically predisposed to the disorder, or that it may be triggered by a viral infection. Other trigger events that have been suggested include traumatic injury, emotional trauma, chemical exposure or a similar physiologic stress.
There are a wide range of symptoms associated with this syndrome:
- Sudden onset of lasting, severe fatigue that severely reduces the patient's activity level; may combine extreme tiredness, weakness, exhaustion, heaviness, and slowed response time
- Feeling very tired, lasting more than 24 hours after very little physical or mental work
- Non-restorative sleep (sleep after which they do not feel rested)
- Muscle pain that moves around, sometimes without a clear reason; joint pain without redness or swelling
- Headache
- Impaired memory or concentration
- Recurrent sore throat
- Tender lymph nodes: most often at sides of neck and under arms
- Feeling dizzy or weak upon standing
- Not tolerant to heat or cold
- Sensitive to light, noise, odours
- New sensitivities to food/medicines/chemicals
- Gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome
Symptoms may vary from person to person and even from day to day in one person. Many people with ME/CFS do not look sick despite experiencing severe limitations. There is no blood test or other exam that makes the diagnosis of ME/CFS.
Adapted from: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Pain Resource Centre , Canadian Pain Coalition, 2011
Information for Caregivers :