Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a medical condition characterized by long-term fatigue and other symptoms that limit a person’s ability to carry out ordinary daily activities.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic criteria
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for diagnosis:
- Significantly lowered ability to participate in activities that were routine before the onset of the condition, and persisting > 6 months
- Physical/mental activity causes worsening symptoms that would not have been problematic before the onset of the condition, (post-exertional malaise (PEM))
- Sleep problems
Additionally, one of the following symptoms must be present:
- Difficulty with thinking and memory
- Worsening of problems with standing/sitting
Management
- Counselling
- Graded exercise therapy (GET)