Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Abstract

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is disease in which the patient is suffering from various debilitating physical and mental symptoms without a definitive diagnosis. They present with severe fatigue without much exertion, muscular pain, pain all over body and multiple aching joints. Their suffering causes a lack of refreshing sleep, depression, lack of concentration and other behavioral abnormalities. The presence of so much physical and mental suffering without clear-cut diagnostic criteria and investigation makes the problem worse for both the clinician and the patient as this can only be diagnosed by clinically excluding other diseases. There is no definitively identified cause that has been found so far, though many theories have been proposed. Patient education regarding the disease along with psychological, social and pharmacological support is crucial for the management of the disease. A good patient-physician relationship of respect and trust is important to motivate and involve the patient for therapy. Different workouts are planned according to the individual needs of the patient. Drugs have a supportive role in disease management. We need to change the way patients look at their suffering and divert their attention from symptoms through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) which has been found to be effective in the management of CFS.