Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) and various other names, is a syndrome of unknown and possibly multiple etiology, affecting the central nervous system (CNS), immune, and many other systems and organs. Most definitions other than the 1991 UK "Oxford", require a number of features, the most common being severe mental and physical depletion, which according to the 1994 Fukuda definition is "unrelieved by rest", and is usually made worse by even trivial exertion (controver ...

Including:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome - History
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nomenclature
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Activity levels
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Post-exertion symptom exacerbation
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Duration
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - CDC 1994 criteria aka Fukuda
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other systems
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Co-morbidity
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Allergies
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Autonomic nervous system disruption
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Damage to ascending reticular activating system
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Depression
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Hormonal dysfunction
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Immune dysfunction
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Infectious agents
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Inner-ear disorders
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Metabolic disorders
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nutritional deficiency or imbalance
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Psychosomatic causes
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Spinal problems
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Toxic agents
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other treatments
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues
• Chronic fatigue syndrome - Notable sufferers

Read more here: » Chronic fatigue syndrome: Encyclopedia - Chronic fatigue syndrome

The cause of CFS is unknown, although a large number of causes have been proposed, and several proposed causes have very vocal and partisan advocates. As there is no one identifiable cause or falsifiable diagnosis for CFS, there is also no one treatment protocol or "magic bullet". Due to the multi-systemic nature of the illness, and others like it, an emerging branch of medical science called psychoneuroimmunology is exploring how all the various theories fit together. The treatments that are proposed and often attempted for CF ...

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Chronic fatigue syndrome, Chronic fatigue syndrome - History, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nomenclature, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Activity levels, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Post-exertion symptom exacerbation, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Duration, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome - CDC 1994 criteria aka Fukuda, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other systems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Co-morbidity, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Allergies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Autonomic nervous system disruption, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Damage to ascending reticular activating system, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Depression, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Hormonal dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Immune dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Infectious agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Inner-ear disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Metabolic disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nutritional deficiency or imbalance, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Psychosomatic causes, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Spinal problems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Toxic agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Notable sufferers

Read more here: » Chronic fatigue syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments

According to the 1994 Fukuda definition there are eight main categories of symptoms in CFS: Fatigue: People with CFS experience profound, overwhelming exhaustion, both mental and physical, which is worsened by exertion, and is not relieved (or not completely relieved) by rest. To receive a diagnosis of CFS, this fatigue state must last for six months. Pain: Pain in CFS may include muscle pain, joint pain (without joint swelling or redness, and may be transitory), headaches (particularly of a new type, severity, or durat ...

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Chronic fatigue syndrome, Chronic fatigue syndrome - History, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nomenclature, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Activity levels, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Post-exertion symptom exacerbation, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Duration, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome - CDC 1994 criteria aka Fukuda, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other systems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Co-morbidity, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Allergies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Autonomic nervous system disruption, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Damage to ascending reticular activating system, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Depression, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Hormonal dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Immune dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Infectious agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Inner-ear disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Metabolic disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nutritional deficiency or imbalance, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Psychosomatic causes, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Spinal problems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Toxic agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Notable sufferers

Read more here: » Chronic fatigue syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms

At this time, there is no accepted conclusive test or series of tests of chronic fatigue syndrome. CFS is therefore largely an exclusionary diagnosis. If a doctor suspects a patient may have CFS they should begin the diagnostic process by eliminating other potential causes of the patient's symptoms. "Chronic fatigue" and similar symptoms can be caused by a wide variety of conditions which should be investigated, although treatment of the patient's symptoms can begin before a complete diagnosis is made. In a patient displaying CFS symp ...

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Chronic fatigue syndrome, Chronic fatigue syndrome - History, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nomenclature, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Activity levels, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Post-exertion symptom exacerbation, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Duration, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome - CDC 1994 criteria aka Fukuda, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other systems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Co-morbidity, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Allergies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Autonomic nervous system disruption, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Damage to ascending reticular activating system, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Depression, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Hormonal dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Immune dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Infectious agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Inner-ear disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Metabolic disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nutritional deficiency or imbalance, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Psychosomatic causes, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Spinal problems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Toxic agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Notable sufferers

Read more here: » Chronic fatigue syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis

Chronic fatigue syndrome carries a considerable stigma, and has frequently been viewed as malingering, hypochondriacal behavior, "wanting attention" or "yuppie flu". As there is no objective test for the condition at this time, many argue that it is easy to "invent" CFS-like symptoms for financial, social or emotional benefits. CFS sufferers argue in turn that the perceived "benefits" are hardly as generous as some may believe, and that most CFS pa ...

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Chronic fatigue syndrome, Chronic fatigue syndrome - History, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nomenclature, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Activity levels, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Post-exertion symptom exacerbation, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Duration, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome - CDC 1994 criteria aka Fukuda, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other systems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Co-morbidity, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Allergies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Autonomic nervous system disruption, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Damage to ascending reticular activating system, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Depression, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Hormonal dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Immune dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Infectious agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Inner-ear disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Metabolic disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nutritional deficiency or imbalance, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Psychosomatic causes, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Spinal problems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Toxic agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Notable sufferers

Read more here: » Chronic fatigue syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues

Some diseases show a considerable overlap with CFS, and it may be hard to distinguish between them. People with fibromyalgia have muscle pain and sleep disturbances. Those with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) are sensitive to chemicals and have sleep disturbances. Many veterans with Gulf War syndrome (GWS) have symptoms almost identical to CFS. Post-polio syndrome also bears a strong and remarkable resemblance to CFS. Some researchers maintain these disorders are all express ...

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Chronic fatigue syndrome, Chronic fatigue syndrome - History, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nomenclature, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Activity levels, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Post-exertion symptom exacerbation, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Duration, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome - CDC 1994 criteria aka Fukuda, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other systems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Co-morbidity, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Allergies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Autonomic nervous system disruption, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Damage to ascending reticular activating system, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Depression, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Hormonal dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Immune dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Infectious agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Inner-ear disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Metabolic disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nutritional deficiency or imbalance, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Psychosomatic causes, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Spinal problems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Toxic agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Notable sufferers

Read more here: » Chronic fatigue syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations

Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset. Some cases of CFS start gradually, but the majority start suddenly, often triggered by a 'flu-like viral or similar illness. People with CFS may improve or recover completely after a few or many years, or not at all. It is not known whether any CFS sufferer has truly recovered to pre-illness levels, or whether their symptoms have merely subsided enough for them to live a more normal life. Some sufferers have a remission for months or years ...

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Chronic fatigue syndrome, Chronic fatigue syndrome - History, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nomenclature, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Activity levels, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Post-exertion symptom exacerbation, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Duration, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome - CDC 1994 criteria aka Fukuda, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other systems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Co-morbidity, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Allergies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Autonomic nervous system disruption, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Damage to ascending reticular activating system, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Depression, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Hormonal dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Immune dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Infectious agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Inner-ear disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Metabolic disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nutritional deficiency or imbalance, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Psychosomatic causes, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Spinal problems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Toxic agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Notable sufferers

Read more here: » Chronic fatigue syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course

At this time, there is no accepted conclusive test or series of tests of chronic fatigue syndrome. CFS is therefore largely an exclusionary diagnosis. There are several sets of diagnostic criteria for the syndrome, and if a doctor suspects CFS in a patient who meets these criteria, the doctor must eliminate all other potential causes of the patient's symptoms before giving a diagnosis of CFS. "Chronic fatigue" and similar symptoms can be caused by a wide variety of conditions which must be eliminated, although in some cases, treatment ...

See also:

Chronic fatigue syndrome, Chronic fatigue syndrome - History, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nomenclature, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Activity levels, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Post-exertion symptom exacerbation, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Duration, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome - CDC 1994 criteria aka Fukuda, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other systems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Co-morbidity, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Allergies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Autonomic nervous system disruption, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Damage to ascending reticular activating system, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Depression, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Hormonal dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Immune dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Infectious agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Inner-ear disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Metabolic disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nutritional deficiency or imbalance, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Psychosomatic causes, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Spinal problems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Toxic agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Notable sufferers

Read more here: » Chronic fatigue syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis

Due to problems with the definition of CFS, estimates of its prevalence vary widely. Studies in the United States have found between 75 and 420 cases of CFS for every 100,000 adults. Far more women than men get CFS — between 60 and 85% of cases are women. Members of ethnic minorities and low income classes are slightly more likely to develop CFS. Though people of all ages can get CFS, and precise statistics are not available, the prevalence among children and adolescents appears to be lower than for adults. A ...

See also:

Chronic fatigue syndrome, Chronic fatigue syndrome - History, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nomenclature, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Symptoms, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Course, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Onset, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Activity levels, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Post-exertion symptom exacerbation, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Duration, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Diagnosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome - CDC 1994 criteria aka Fukuda, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other systems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Controversies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Disease associations, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Co-morbidity, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Proposed etiologies and corresponding treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Allergies, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Autonomic nervous system disruption, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Damage to ascending reticular activating system, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Depression, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Hormonal dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Immune dysfunction, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Infectious agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Inner-ear disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Metabolic disorders, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Nutritional deficiency or imbalance, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Psychosomatic causes, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Spinal problems, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Toxic agents, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Other treatments, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Social issues, Chronic fatigue syndrome - Notable sufferers

Read more here: » Chronic fatigue syndrome: Encyclopedia II - Chronic fatigue syndrome - Epidemiology