Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that causes chronic, debilitating fatigue. It continues for at least six months. The fatigue is not relieved by bed rest. People who have CFS perform at a significantly lower level compared to their activity prior to the onset of the illness.

• Unexplained, new onset, persistent fatigue that is not relieved with bed rest and often worsens with physical or mental activity
• Unexplained muscle aches
• Joint pain without swelling or redness over six months
• Headaches over six months
• Trouble with short-term memory or concentration, a "brain fog"
• Forgetfulness or confusion
• Irritability, anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, or depression
• Sore throat over six months
• Tender lymph nodes over six months
• Trouble sleeping or not feeling refreshed after sleep
• Visual disturbances (eyes sensitive to light, blurring, pain)
• Reduced activities (social, job-related, educational, and personal)
• Dizziness, balance problems, or fainting
• Chills and night sweats
• Allergies or sensitivities to foods, chemicals, odors, medications, or noise

• Severe, chronic fatigue for at least six months that is not due to another illness or medical cause, along with:
• At least four of the following symptoms according to the International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group Criteria:
  • Impairment of short-term memory or concentration
  • Sore throat
  • Tender lymph nodes
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain without swelling or redness
  • Headaches of a new type, severity, or pattern
  • Unrefreshing sleep
  • Prolonged fatigue lasting 24 hours or more after exercise

• Light to low impact activities
• Strength and conditioning exercises
• Graded exercises
• Therapeutic massage
• Stretching to improve flexibility and range of motion
• Learning modified ways to complete daily tasks

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.cdc.gov/

• Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Association of America

http://www.cfids.org/

• Health Canada

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/

• Women's Health Matters

http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. American Academy of Family Physicians Familydoctor website. Available at: http://familydocto... . Updated November 2010. Accessed December 28, 2012.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/index.html . Updated May 16, 2012. Accessed December 28, 2012.
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated November 10, 2012. Accessed December 28, 2012.
• Craig T, Kakumanu S. Chronic fatigue syndrome: evaluation and treatment. Am Fam Physician.2002;65(6):1083-1090.
• Darbishire L, Ridsdale L, Seed PT. Distinguishing patients with chronic fatigue from those with chronic fatigue syndrome: a diagnostic study in UK primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2003;53(491):441-445.
• Prins JB, Bleijenberg G, Bazelmans E, et al. Cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a multicertre randomized controlled trial. Lancet. 2001;357(9259):841-847.
• Reeves WC, Wagner D, Nisenbaum R, et al. Chronic fatigue syndrome—a clinically empirical approach to its definition and study. BMC Medicine. 2005;3:19.
• Reid S, Chalder T, Cleare A, et al. Chronic fatigue syndrome. Clin Evid. 2004;(12):1578-1593.
• Rimes KA, Chalder T. Treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome. Occup Med. 2005;55:32-39.
• 3/3/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : White P, Goldsmith K, Johnson A, et al. Comparison of adaptive pacing therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, graded exercise therapy, and specialist medical care for chronic fatigue syndrome (PACE): a randomised trial. Lancet. 2011 Feb 17.
• 10/1/2013 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Patterson E, Wan YW, Sidani S. Nonpharmacological nursing interventions for the management of patient fatigue: a literature review. J Clin Nurs. 2013 Oct;22(19-20): 2668-78.