CFIDS is a syndrome of profound and debilitating fatigue, associated with impaired cognitive function (short term memory, depression, concentration), a dysfunctional immune system (frequent upper respiratory infections such as sore throats, markedly exaggerated allergies, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and chemical sensitivities), muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, unrefreshing sleep, and post exertion malaise.
There has been general recognition among specialists that CFIDS, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and silicone Implant Disease (especially Silicone Breast Implants Disease), have a great many similarities, both in symptoms and response to treatments. All of these syndromes involve a dysfunctional immune system, which overreacts to various antigenic stimuli. The important thing is that the same treatments work for each syndrome.
Eventhough individual patients may have certain symptoms, which are more characteristic of one illness than another, the vast majority are indistinguishable. It may well turn out that all of these diseases may be slightly different presentations of the same pathological process.
In order to receive a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a patient must satisfy two criteria:�
(1) Have severe chronic fatigue of six months or
longer duration with other known medical conditions
excluded by clinical diagnosis.
(2) Concurrently have four or more of the following
symptoms:
Substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration
Sore throat
Tender lymph nodes
Muscle pain
Multi-joint pain without swelling or redness
Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
Unrefreshing sleep
Post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours
The symptoms must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months of illness and must not have predated the fatigue.�
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