Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is defined as debilitating fatigue with associated symptoms lasting for at least 6 months. CFS primarily affects women ages 25-45. In the United States alone, as many as 800,000 people may be affected by CFS. Although there are no FDA-approved treatments for CFS, through the management and treatment of symptoms, the prognosis for patients is usually good. Even though the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) officially recognized CFS in 1988, it remains a controversial issue. Some physicians believe the illness to be psychosomatic, although others remain open-minded. Fortunately, most physicians are determined to help their patients who experience the debilitating symptoms of this illness. Some experts believe CFS to be closely related to another chronic condition, fibromyalgia (FMS). A preliminary follow-up study by the CDC revealed that, for those individuals whose chronic fatigue does not significantly improve after a 5-year duration, the most prominent symptom changes from fatigue to muscle pain. This muscle pain is the prominent symptom of fibromyalgia.
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