Chronic fatigue syndrome (sometimes just called CFS) is a complex condition that the medical community is still trying to define. It is characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be made worse by physical or mental activity. Common symptoms include sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, and insomnia. Currently, there is no cure, so treatment options for chronic fatigue syndrome include lifestyle changes, medications to relieve symptoms, and alternative therapies.
An estimated half a million people in the United States have chronic fatigue, and the prognosis varies widely. Approximately 50 percent of people recover from the condition and do so within five years after first experiencing symptoms. However, CFS often follows a cyclical course, with periods of illness followed by periods of well-being.
(Click Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to read the full eMedTV article on this topic, which includes information on possible causes, how the condition is diagnosed, who it affects, and more. You can also click any of the links in the box to the right for specific information.)
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