Chronic fatigue syndrome (
CFS) is the most common name
used to designate a significantly debilitating
medical disorder or group of disorders
generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific
symptoms for a minimum of six months in adults (and 3 months in
children/adolescents
), not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially relieved by rest, and not caused by other medical conditions.
Four or more of the following symptoms that last six months or longer:
- Impaired memory or concentration
- Post-exertional malaise, where physical or mental exertions bring on "extreme, prolonged exhaustion and sickness"
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Pain in multiple joints (arthralgia)
- Headaches of a new kind or greater severity
- Sore throat, frequent or recurring
- Tender lymph nodes (cervical or axillary)
Other common symptoms include:
-
- Irritable bowel, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or bloating
- Chills and night sweats
- Brain fog
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic cough
- Visual disturbances (blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain or dry eyes)
- Allergies or sensitivities to foods, alcohol, odors, chemicals, medications or noise
- Difficulty maintaining upright position (orthostatic instability, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, balance problems or fainting)
- Psychological problems (depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks)[8]
