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The Basics About CFS
Names: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic
Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
How do I know that I have CFS: After
ruling out all other diseases, you have to:
- Have severe chronic fatigue of six months or longer duration with other known medical conditions excluded
by clinical diagnosis, and
- Concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or
concentration, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, multi-joint pain without swelling or redness, headaches of a
new type, pattern or severity, unrefreshing sleep, and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours.
(the
CDC's definition)
Who can have CFS:
CFS is more common in adults than in adolescents or children. Research shows that CFS is also about three times
as common in women as men. It is estimated that as many as 800,000 people in the U.S. have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
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