Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complex condition with a wide range of symptoms which can vary in intensity and severity. CFS is characterised by debilitating fatigue that can be triggered by minimal activity. The fatigue does not ijmprove with bed rest.
The World Health Organisation classifies CFS as a neurological condition. Because there are no known tests for CFS, this condition is viewed with some scepticism by some health professionals.
The Chief Medical Officers Working Group on CFS reported in 2002, the group's first recommendation was that "The NHS and healthcare professionals should recognise CFS/ME as a chronic illness that, despite uncertain aetiology, can affect people of all ages to varying degrees, and in many cases substantially."
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has just published full guidance on the treatment of people with CFS and it makes the point that CFS "is a relatively common illness whose "physical symptoms can be as disabling as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, congestive heart failure and other chronic conditions".
The Nice report lists the following as the main characteristics of CFS:
The Working Group Report also lists temperature disturbance, dizziness, including vertigo, postural hypotension,, increased sensitivity to increased stimulation, digestive disturbances and intolerances as other common symptoms.
Many cases of CFS begin following a period of stress and some appear to have been "triggered" by some form of infection or virus.
The prevalence of CFS is between 0.2 and 0.4% of the population or between 20 and 40 cases in every 10,000 people. The prevalence is thought to be less than this for children and young people.
Women are four times more likely to be affected than men.
CFS mostly starts in adults aged between 20 and 45 although an American report has stated that CFS is most common in people aged 40-60..
CFS does not seem to differentiate between races- it affects all ethnic groups and is evenly distributed between all social classes.
