Chronic fatigue syndrome

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Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex medical condition, characterized by long-term fatigue and other symptoms. These symptoms are to such a degree that they limit a person's ability to carry out ordinary daily activities. Quality of life of persons with CFS can be compromised.

Biological, genetic, infectious, and psychological mechanisms have been proposed, but the cause is not understood. The fatigue of CFS is not due to ongoing exertion, is not much relieved by rest, and is not due to any other medical condition.Diagnosis is based on a patient's signs and symptoms.

Evidence suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy and a gradual increase in activity suited to individual capacity can be beneficial in some cases. The medication rintatolimod may be useful for certain people.

Estimates of the number of people with the condition vary from 7 to 3,000 per 100,000 adults. About one million Americans and a quarter of a million people in the UK have CFS. Fatigue is a common symptom in many illnesses, but the fatigue experienced by persons with CFS is comparatively rare. CFS occurs more often in women than men, and is less common among children and adolescents. There is agreement that CFS has a negative effect on health, happiness and productivity but there is also controversy over many aspects of the disorder. Physicians, researchers and patient advocates promote different names and diagnostic criteria, while evidence for proposed causes and treatments is often contradictory or of low quality.  Read more >>

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_fatigue_syndrome