Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Paper Summary:

This paper examines chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) its diagnosis, and the ways in which healthcare providers are learning to better manage its symptoms. The paper gives a brief history of the disease, citing when it was first noted as a condition. Today's definition of CFS is also given. The author then suggests various causes of the condition, although there are no definitive answers. The various treatment options are presented, although this is also controversial. The paper includes a review of several recent studies on CFS. The author concludes that CFS will continue to present challenges to both healthcare providers and sufferers since the disease is one example of the large range of medically unexplained syndromes today.

From the Paper:

"Today, CDC defines the illness as: "a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity." Individuals having CFS most often function at a substantially lower level of activity than capable of prior to the illness. In addition to these key defining characteristics, patients also report a number of nonspecific symptoms, such as weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, insomnia, and post-exertional fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. Mental health professionals also recognize that CFS often relates to depression. In some cases, CFS can persist for years (CDC, 2006). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Center for Disease Control (2006, May 9). Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Retrieved January 30, 2007 http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfsbasicfacts.htm.
• Hyland, M.E. et. al. (2006) Letter to the Editor. The Lancet 367 (9522), 1573-1576
• Lieberman, S. (2004). Antiviral intervention for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients 74(3). 247-248
• Lubkin, I., and Larsen, P. (2006) Chronic Illness. Boston: Jones and Bartlett.
• Powell, P. et. al. (2001). Randomised controlled trial of patient education to encourage graded exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome. British Medical Journal 322 (7283), 387.

More papers on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

• Essay # 36409 : "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome"
• Research Proposal # 26424 : "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)"
• Analytical Essay # 131979 : "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - An Account"

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