Many of us feel tired every now and again, but for some people their tiredness is debilitating. We look at the causes and the symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of chronic fatigue, sometimes also known as ME.
Dr Rob Hicks last medically reviewed this article in February 2008
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterised by prolonged fatigue associated with a wide range of accompanying symptoms. It has also been called post-viral fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue.
CFS can affect people of any age. However, it's most common between the ages of 25 and 45. It's estimated that about 150,000 people in the UK have CFS, with women affected more often than men.
To be diagnosed with CFS an adult must have severe chronic fatigue for at least four months with no other medical condition identified as the cause. They must also have one or more of the following symptoms:
Other symptoms that may occur include:
In general, the symptoms of CFS aren't improved by bed rest and may be worsened by physical or mental activity.
Since it's not known what causes CFS, it's difficult to prevent. There's no evidence to support the view that CFS is a contagious disease and there's no precise identified cause.
It's believed that a person’s genes may make them more susceptible, and that viral infection, stress, depression, or a major life event (for example bereavement, job loss) may act as triggers for CFS to develop in susceptible individuals.
In some cases a specific disease, such as an underactive thryoid gland or a head injury, can be identified as the underlying cause of the sort of symptoms typically found in CFS. A range of tests and investigations are done when a person first consults their doctor with symptoms, in order to check for these diagnoses and rule out them out as a cause. So CFS remains a diagnosis of exclusion (where all other identifiable medical causes for symptoms have been ruled out).
There's no specific treatment for CFS either. However, medicines can be prescribed to relieve the symptoms: for example, painkillers may be given for muscle pains and headaches, and antidepressants for depression.
Behaviour therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, counselling, relaxation therapy, and graded exercise may help. Reducing stress, eating a healthy diet, rest periods, pacing and support groups also help many people with CFS.
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