What are the symptoms of CFS?

Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:

Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) include:

Ongoing unexplained tiredness, not caused by exertion or relieved by rest
Short-term memory loss
Difficulty concentrating
Sore throat
Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
Muscle pain
Joint pain with no redness or swelling
Headaches
Lack of energy

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Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) include: Ongoing unexplained tiredness, not caused by exertion or relieved by rest Short-term memory loss Difficulty concentrating Sore throat Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits Muscle... More

Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome vary for each individual, and can even shift within someone's experience. The most common symptoms include: extreme fatigue that persists long after mental or physical activity, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, mild memory loss, headaches, or pain occurring in muscles or joints. Some people also experience chronic fatigue syndrome with an array of cold-like symptoms such as a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, earache, dry mouth, or fever. Psychological symptoms may include depression, anxiety, social isolation, irritability, mental stress, or even panic attacks. The duration of symptoms differs with each individual, as does the severity of the symptoms.

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Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome vary for each individual, and can even shift within someone's experience. The most common symptoms include: extreme fatigue that persists long after mental or physical activity, difficulty sleeping or... More

Dr. Rachel Salas of Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a severe and persistent sensation of fatigue. It usually lasts for a period of at least six months, and isn't caused by a specific disease.

Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome may include:

Defects in short-term memory
Defects in concentration
Sore throat
Tender lymph nodes
Muscle pain
Non-refreshing sleep

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Chronic fatigue syndrome is a severe and persistent sensation of fatigue. It usually lasts for a period of at least six months, and isn't caused by a specific disease. Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome may include: Defects in short-term... More

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum answered:

The hallmarks of chronic fatigue syndrome include the paradoxical combination of severe exhaustion and insomnia. Most people with this illness also have "brain fog." This reflects as difficulty with word finding and substitution, loss of short-term memory, and, in a small subset of people, episodic disorientation. Other common symptoms include widespread pain, headaches, nasal congestion and sinusitis, spastic colon, numbness and tingling in fingers, an average 32 1/2 pound weight gain, loss of libido in 73%, and other symptoms.

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The hallmarks of chronic fatigue syndrome include the paradoxical combination of severe exhaustion and insomnia. Most people with this illness also have "brain fog." This reflects as difficulty with word finding and substitution, loss of short-term... More

Piedmont Heart Institute answered:

A complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts six months or longer, and does not improve with rest or is worsened by physical or mental activity. Other symptoms can include weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, and insomnia. The cause is unknown.

This answer is based on source information from National Women's Health Information Center.

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More Related Answers from Piedmont Heart Institute

A complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts six months or longer, and does not improve with rest or is worsened by physical or mental activity. Other symptoms can include weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental... More

Healthwise answered:

The main symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a devastating tiredness or exhaustion that has lasted at least 6 months and does not improve much with rest. This fatigue also is so severe that it interferes with your work, your play and your social activities. The fatigue and other symptoms described below may begin suddenly or they may develop gradually over weeks or months.

Other long-term symptoms include:

Forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion or difficulty concentrating.
Sore throat.
A fever.
Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.
Muscle pain.
Joint pain without redness or swelling.
Headaches that are different from other headaches you have had in the past.
Unrefreshing sleep (waking up feeling tired or not rested).
Feeling unwell after exercise or other physical activities.

Because CFS is not easily diagnosed, health experts have established some rules to help them recognize the disease. To be diagnosed with CFS, you must have fatigue and at least four of the symptoms listed above. At least four of your symptoms must have started at the same time as or after your fatigue began, and they must have lasted for at least 6 months. But if you have symptoms of CFS, such as often feeling very tired for no clear reason, you may still get treatment even if you don’t quite meet these criteria. For instance, your doctor may decide you need treatment even if you have had symptoms for less than 6 months.

Some people with CFS develop a condition in which their heart rate increases and their blood pressure drops when they stand or sit up from a reclining position. This is often described as feeling "lightheaded" or feeling faint or dizzy. This condition is called orthostatic hypotension.

Depression is common and can make your other symptoms worse. Antidepressant medicines can help you feel better.

CFS causes symptoms that are the same as many other diseases, especially early on. For this reason, it can be diagnosed only after a thorough evaluation has ruled out other conditions with similar symptoms.