Last century, epi-
demics of an uniden-
tified illness swept
through institutions like
schools and hospitals.
The symptoms included
fatigue, lethargy and
weakness, and victims
usually recovered within
two years. Today, we
know these mysterious
epidemics were epidemic
forms of chronic fatigue
syndrome.
What is CFS?
Chronic fatigue syn-
drome (CFS) can also be
called ME (myalgic
encephalomyelitis) and
affects up to 1% of the
population. We do not
know what causes it. It
affects women more than
men, and commonly
strikes in the mid twen-
ties to mid forties.
Although some people
once called it ‘Yuppie flu’,
people from all social
classes can get CFS.
It can be a frustrating
illness for the sufferer,
who, despite prolonged
and disabling symptoms,
may often be told ‘you
are looking well’. Many
patients have suffered
the double indignity of
being told their illness
was ‘all in the mind’.
This is because of the
vague nature of the
symptoms and the
absence of a test to diag-
nose the illness. Some
people were not properly
diagnosed for years.
Some terms used in the
diagnosis of CFS
Fatigue
Tiredness and exhaus-
tion after a level of physi-
cal exertion that was pre-
viously well tolerated.
For example, patients
may be confined to bed
with exhaustion for days
after mowing the lawn.
Lethargy
Tiredness and a feeling
of laziness and apathy.
This happens all the
time, not only after exer-
cise.
Although many peo-
ple feel chronically
lethargic, to have a diag-
nosis of CFS, the patient
must have had severe,
debilitating fatigue for at
least six months. The
doctor will need to rule
out other physical or psy-
chiatric diseases that
may mimic the symp-
toms. Also, the patient
should have four of the
following symptoms for a
positive diagnosis.
1. Impaired memory or
concentration
2. Recurrent sore throats
3. Tender lymph glands
4. Muscle pain
5. Multi-joint pain
6. A new type, pattern or
severity of headaches
7. Unrefreshing sleep
8. Post-exertion malaise
If the patient does not
fulfil these criteria, their
problem