Chronic fatigue syndrome
What is chronic fatigue syndrome?
Feeling tired is very common, especially if you have work or family problems or are under stress for other reasons. Many people say they feel tired most of the time, but very few of them really have chronic fatigue syndrome.
People with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS for short) feel exhausted and weak a lot of the time for no obvious reason. Often
they have other signs of illness, too. CFS can affect people of all ages.
Doctors don't know what causes chronic fatigue syndrome.
There is no simple test for the condition, but your doctor might say you have CFS if you:
1
2
Source:
Fukuda K, Strauss S, Hickie I, et al.
The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 1994; 121: 953-959.
Fukuda K, Strauss S, Hickie I, et al.
The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study.
Annals of Internal Medicine. 1994; 121: 953-959.
Source:
Sharpe M, Archard LC, Banatvala JE.
A report: chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research.
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 1991; 84: 118-121.
Sharpe M, Archard LC, Banatvala JE.
A report: chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research.
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 1991; 84: 118-121.
- Have been feeling exhausted for no known reason for more than six months
- Also have other signs of illness, such as muscle pains, sleep problems, headaches, and trouble concentrating or remembering things.
What doctors do know now is that chronic fatigue syndrome is a real illness and not imagined, as was once thought.
Another name for the illness is chronic fatigue immune
dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS for short).
Sometimes chronic fatigue syndrome starts after another illness, like a bad cold or
bronchitis. And some people find it starts during a time of stress. But it can come on gradually for no obvious reason.
bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the major airways (also called bronchi) that lead in and out of your lungs.
Bronchitis is inflammation of the major airways (also called bronchi) that lead in and out of your lungs.
Some people with CFS have abnormal levels of certain
hormones. Doctors have also found they have changes in their
immune system (the immune system helps the body fight
infection). But no one knows whether these are causes or effects of the illness.
hormones
Hormones are chemicals that are made in certain parts of the body. They travel through the bloodstream and have an effect on other parts of the body. For example, the female sex hormone estrogen is made in a woman's ovaries. Estrogen has many different effects on a woman's body. It makes the breasts grow at puberty and helps control periods. It is also needed to get pregnant.
Hormones are chemicals that are made in certain parts of the body. They travel through the bloodstream and have an effect on other parts of the body. For example, the female sex hormone estrogen is made in a woman's ovaries. Estrogen has many different effects on a woman's body. It makes the breasts grow at puberty and helps control periods. It is also needed to get pregnant.
immune system
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
The immune system is made up of the parts of the body that are devoted to fighting infection. The body is constantly being threatened by infections from things like bacteria, viruses and parasites. The immune system fights these infections in different ways. At the microscopic level, the immune system uses antibodies and white blood cells, which travel in the blood and target infectious agents, such as bacteria. These microscopic parts of the immune system either kill the infectious agent directly, or take it to other parts of the body, like the spleen, where it can be dealt with. The lymph nodes are another important part of the immune system. Within them, white blood cells filter through the foreign material that has entered the blood, to see if there are any infections. When you have a swollen gland during a cold, this is actually a lymph node that is reacting to the infection. Unfortunately, it is possible for the immune system to become confused and to use its destructive powers to target healthy parts of the body. Diseases that result from this type of situation are called autoimmune diseases.
infection
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
You get an infection when viruses, bacteria, fungi or other tiny organisms get into your body. These bugs are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. For example, an infection in your airways causes the common cold. And an infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
Chronic fatigue syndrome doesn't go on for a set period of time. It can last from a few months to many years, although the symptoms might come and go during that time.
Sources for the information on this page:
- Fukuda K, Strauss S, Hickie I, et al.The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study.Annals of Internal Medicine. 1994; 121: 953-959.
- Sharpe M, Archard LC, Banatvala JE.A report: chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research.Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 1991; 84: 118-121.
This information was last updated on Oct 13, 2009
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2010. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2010. All rights reserved.
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