Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Following an illness such as a viral infection, some people just do not seem to recover properly and are left with the characteristic symptoms of a condition known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME). Symptoms are variable and can involve almost every system of the body. The main diagnostic features are:

• Constant mental and physical fatigue, worsened by exercise
• Myalgia (muscle pain) and headaches
  
• Sleep disorder
  
• Mental sluggishness
• Tendency to relapse (particularly after physical activity or stress).

These symptoms are usually due to overactivity of the immune system.
 
ME/CFS has been known by many names such as Royal Free Disease, Chronic Fatigue Immune Disorder, Tapanui flu and Yuppy flu, and this reflects the earlier difficulties in identifying and diagnosing the illness. 

Who is at risk of getting ME/CFS?
About 2-4 per thousand are affected with this illness worldwide. It strikes all ages and socio-economic and ethnic groups. Read more...

How it is diagnosed?
There is no specific diagnostic test for CFS, but your doctor can arrange for certain tests to be done to confirm that you are not suffering from some other illness, such as anaemia, diabetes, thyroid imbalance, liver disease etc.  Read more...

Management of CFS
As yet there is no specific treatment for CFS, but there are a number of measures that can be taken to alleviate the symptoms and to help your recovery.  Read more...