What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder that causes you to be very tired. It does not go away with rest. People with CFS may have other symptoms, such as poor sleep, trouble with remembering things, pain, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, or headaches. Not everyone with CFS has all of these symptoms.

What causes it?

No one is sure exactly what causes CFS. Immune system problems may cause it. Childhood trauma (for example, physical or sexual abuse) may raise the risk of getting it.

How can my doctor tell if I have it?

You can be diagnosed with CFS only if other diseases have been ruled out. Your doctor may want to do blood or urine tests, or tests for other diseases based on your symptoms.

How is it treated?

Two treatments can help with CFS: cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy. With CBT, a therapist teaches you about how your thinking affects how you feel and act. With graded exercise therapy, you slowly increase your physical activity, which hopefully increases your function.

Be sure to tell your doctor about other problems that you are having, such as depression, pain, and trouble sleeping. Your doctor will want to treat these problems too.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor

AAFP's Patient Education Resource

• Web site: https://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/index.html

CFIDS Association of America

• Web site: http://www.cfids.org