Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Symptoms, Epstein Barr, Treatment, Support, Weakness, Diet, Cure

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Medical Author:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) facts

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is defined by two major criteria, chronic severe fatigue for at least 6 months not caused by a diagnosable disease or relieved with rest and at least four other specific symptoms that occur at the same time or after the development of severe fatigue.
The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is unknown.
Risk factors are not clearly understood, but the majority of adults diagnosed are adult women age range of 40s to 50s; pediatric patients diagnosed are usually teenaged.
The symptoms and signs of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are relatively specific: chronic severe fatigue for at least 6 months not caused by a diagnosable disease and at least four other specific symptoms such as cognitive impairment, muscle and/or joint pains, new types of headaches, tender lymph nodes, sore throat, non-refreshing sleep, and malaise after exercise, that occur at the same time or after the development of severe fatigue.
The estimated prevalence in the U.S. is 42 in 10,000 people.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed about four times more often in women than men.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is diagnosed by the two major criteria and symptoms and signs listed above.
Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is based on treating the symptoms patients exhibit.
Although there is no known cure for CSF, symptoms may be markedly reduced.
The prognosis for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in adults is only fair to poor; children have a better or good prognosis with treatment.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the usual preventive advice given by clinicians that treat chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients.
Additional sources of information and support groups are available for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Reviewed by Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP on 3/7/2013

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Symptoms Question: What symptoms and signs did you experience with your chronic fatigue syndrome?

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

What are chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms in men?

Chronic fatigue symptoms in men need to fit the time and type (6 months and four symptoms) criteria stated above to be diagnosed with the disease. Currently, chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed much more frequently in females than in males. General symptoms in men that can occur that are described by male patients are similar to those in females but clinicians speculate that many men are reluctant to say they have symptoms of muscle pain, malaise, headaches and other symptoms due to cultural inhibitions and training. Many doctors speculate that men need to be more open in describing their symptoms to their doctors.

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