Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating and complex disorder characterised by extreme fatigue that is unrelived by rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. People with this syndrome most most often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before the onset of illness.

Symptoms of CFS can include weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, insomnia, and post-exertional fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. In some cases, CFS can persist for years.

The cause or causes of CFS have not been identified and no specific diagnostic tests are available. 

 But often CFS starts with, or is triggered by, another illness. Many people report getting a case of the flu, exposure to an allergen (a cough or sniffle caused by paint, a new pet, or construction dust), or a severe infection such as bronchitis or glandular fever, from which they seem never to fully recover and which slowly evolves into CFS.

For patients to be diagnosed with CFS they must have severe chronic fatigue of six months or longer AND concurrently have a number of symptoms from a list including: problems with short-term memory or concentration; sore throat; tender lymph nodes; muscle pain and multi-joint pain amongst others.

Since there is no known cure for CFS, treatment is aimed at symptom relief and improved function. A combination of drug and nondrug therapies is usually recommended.