An illness that caused fatigue puzzled Nevada doctors in 1984. The same illness continues to have many unsolved answers. Known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), this illness has a constellation of symptoms: A flu that doesn't go away, emotional distress, muscular pain, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, and fatigue. It also can impair short-term memory and concentration that can affect work, school, and other activities.

Before the Center for Disease Control gave it a name, CFS had a variety of names and resembles the 19th century disease known as neurasthenia. Women seem to get CFS more than men. Experts suspect it comes from a combination of a virus, sleep disorder, muscle disorder, and other causes. A diagnosis is made from exclusion of other maladies, including fibromyalgia and psychiatric disorder.

Treatment at this point is trial and error. It focuses more on making the symptoms easier to live with. Antidepressants, physical therapy, massage, vitamins, and other treatments are often used. Each person has his or her own presentation of symptoms and severity. Many say the illness' effect on their minds is their biggest limitation and the fatigue affects their social life. Employers can give employees with CFS more breaks and decrease their workloads. Symptoms decrease the most in late morning and early afternoon.

For more information, contact Tracy Swenson at the Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706. #596

Swenson, T. (2000). Chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of Rehabilitation 67(1), 37-42.

Keyword: Treatment