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What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  

First, the Institute of Medicine panel recommended that the illness of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome be renamed “systemic exertion intolerance disease,” a term that reflects what patients, clinicians and researchers all agree is a core symptom: a sustained depletion of energy after minimal activity, called postexertional malaise.

  

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic disorder that causes extreme fatigue. This fatigue is not the kind of tired feeling that goes away after you rest or an attempt for recuperative rest. Instead, it lasts a long time and limits your ability to do ordinary daily activities.

  

Symptoms

If a veteran experiences fatigue that lasts for 6 months or more, and has at least four of these other symptoms, he/she may have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

  • Feeling unwell for more than 24 hours after physical activity
  • Muscle pain
  • Memory problems
  • Headaches
  • Pain in multiple joints
  • Sleep problems
  • Sore throat
  • Tender lymph nodes
  • Low grade fever

    

The Veterans Who May Be Affected:

  • Gulf War Veterans exposed to harsh chemicals of war

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome