Class 9 (3/4/21) - Chronic fatigue syndrome

Question 1

CFS

Answer 1

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a chronic disorder characterized by several debilitating conditions including severe fatigue. Other symptoms include weakness, impaired memory or concentration, insomnia, muscle pain, and fatigue following exertion that lasts more than 24 hours.

Question 2

Diagnosis of CFS

Answer 2

• Chronic fatigue syndrome can be difficult to diagnose, and also hard to define.
• A diagnosis of CFS is made when a patient meets at least two of the criteria:
• a patient must have severe and chronic fatigue that lasts six months or more, and other medical conditions that could cause the fatigue must be excluded.
• The fatigue must significantly interfere with work or daily activities.

In addition to prolonged fatigue, patients must have four or more of the following symptoms to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome:

• impairment in short-term memory or concentration
• sore throat
• tender lymph nodes
• muscle pain
• joint pain without swelling or redness
• headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
• unrefreshing sleep
• post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours.

Question 3

Diagnosis of CFS

Answer 3

There are many other illnesses that are treatable that need to be ruled out to arrive at a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

• hypothyroidism
• sleep apnea
• major depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia
• eating disorders
• cancer
• autoimmune disease
• hormonal disorders
• subacute infections
• obesity
• alcohol or substance abuse
• vitamin D deficiency
• reactions to medications.

Question 4

Risk factors of CFS

Answer 4

• Female gender – women are four times more likely to develop CFS
• Age 40s and 50s
• There may be a genetic link

Question 5

Diagnosis of CFS

Answer 5

• There are no specific tests that will diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome.
• To make a diagnosis, a doctor will first rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms that can be tested for, including mononucleosis, Lyme disease, thyroid conditions, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, various cancers,
  depression, vitamin D deficiency, and bipolar disorder.

Question 6

Treatment of CFS

Answer 6

There is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, so treatment is aimed at managing symptoms. Treatment usually involves a combination of medication
and lifestyle changes such as preventing overexertion, reducing stress, managing diet, and nutritional supplements.