RxMed: Illness Information - CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

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General Illness Information

Common Name:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Medical Term:

None Specified.

Description:

Profound fatigue of at least 6 months duration, in the absence of other causes of fatigue. Does not resolve with bed rest. Impairs daily activity below 30% usual level for at least 6 months. Occurs mainly in adults between ages of 20 to 40 years. Twice as common in women than men

Causes:

Unknown.

Immunological and viral causes have been proposed, but none have been identified.

Prevention:

Unknown.

Signs & Symptoms

	Mild fever.
	Frequent sore throat.
	Painful glands in neck and axilla.
	Unexplained muscle weakness and muscle pain.
	Prolonged fatigue.
	Generalized headaches.
	Joint aches and pains.
	Neuropsychological symptoms: Forgetfulness, excessive irritability, confusion, inability to concentrate, depression, and photophobia.
	Sleep disturbance.
	Main symptom complex initially developing over a few hours to a few days.

Risk Factors

Unknown

Diagnosis & Treatment

General Measures:
	Validation of the diagnosis, and education of the patient.
	General therapeutic measures, especially adequate rest.
	Symptomatic therapy.
	Experimental therapy.
	Join a local or national support group.
	Psychotherapy may be helpful for some patients.
	Be patient.
	Additional literature and information may be obtained from the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (SFIDS) Association. P.O. Box 220398, Charlotte, NC 28222-0398, (800) 442-3437.

Medications:
	Medications must be individually tailored, but may include pain medicine, local injections, antidepressants, etc.
	Herbal supplements may be very helpful, especially Ginseng and Evening Primrose Oil.
	Other experimental medication therapies are being studied.

Activity:
Exercise is important. Begin a gradual program that may be just 3-5 minutes a day to start with. Increase the activity by about 20% about every 2-3 weeks. Setbacks will occur, so don't be discouraged.

Diet:
	Try to maintain good nutrition, even if appetite is decreased.

Possible Complications :
	None specific to the disorder. Symptoms are usually most severe during the first 6 months.

Prognosis

Generally very slow improvement over months or years. Full recovery is possible.

Other

Nothing specified.