Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), is a serious, long-term neurological illness characterized by extreme, disabling fatigue lasting over six months that does not improve with rest. It causes severe impairment, post-exertional malaise (PEM), cognitive difficulties, pain, and sleep issues, often limiting daily activities.
Key Aspects of CFS/ME:
Symptoms: Extreme tiredness (not relieved by rest), “brain fog” (cognitive dysfunction), dizziness, pain, sleep disruption, and post-exertional malaise (prolonged symptom flare-up after minor physical/mental effort).
Synonyms/Related Terms: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Systemic Exertional Intolerance Disease (SEID), Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), and chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS).
Usage Examples: “She was diagnosed with CFS after suffering from persistent fatigue for over a year.” / “Managing ME/CFS involves careful pacing to avoid triggering a crash.”
Causes & Treatment: The exact cause is unknown, often following viral infections. There is no cure, so treatment focuses on symptom management, such as pacing activities, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications for pain/sleep.
