Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS or ME) is a name given to a collection of symptoms. Diagnosis is by exlusion and usually requires that patient has had unexplained fatigue for over six months

- Fatigue often worsens with activity (inability to exercise), but doesn't improve with rest.
- Muscles/Joints: Joint or muscle aches, Muscle weakness
- Brain: Confusion, Forgetfulness, Lack of concentration, Headache, Increased sensitivity to pain
- Mood: anxiety or depression, stress
- Sleep: excessive sleepiness or sleep disturbances
- Other organs: metabolic dysfunction in various organs as a result of primary problem or due to poor activity or diet

Modern medicine has no cure for this condition.

It often starts as fatigue, but then morphs into a complex syndrome with many different organ involvement because of the various causes exerting an incremental metabolic effect.

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As part of work up, I will take a detailed history, map the timeline of events to try to ascertain the origin and possibly the cause. Often blood tests are required to rule out potential other causes.