Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition that causes severe fatigue, which interferes with a person’s normal life. It used to be known as ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis).

It can affect any age group including school children and the elderly, but it most commonly affects teenagers and young adults. About 1 in 1000 people are affected in the UK.

In the past, doctors believed that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was related to depression and that the symptoms were "all in the mind". Whilst the condition remains poorly understood, most experts now agree that it is a distinct disease with physical symptoms. There are several hypotheses for the cause of CFS:

• CFS may develop following a viral or bacterial infection, for example glandular fever. (It is not the same as the normal fatigue that often follows a bad infection like flu.)
• It may be linked to disorders that affect the body’s natural defences (the immune system) or to abnormalities of the hormonal system or the nervous system.
• Some doctors believe that there is a strong psychiatric or psychological element to CFS, and that some cases it may be a form of depression. It may follow distressing life events such as bereavement.

The main symptom of CFS is severe fatigue that lasts for over six months and does not improve after rest. People who have CFS may also have other symptoms such as:

• forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, or difficulty concentrating
• sore throat,
• ender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits,
• muscle pain,
• joint pain without redness or swelling,
• headaches,
• unrefreshing sleep (waking up feeling tired or unrested) or trouble getting to sleep,
• fatigue that lasts more than 24 hours after exercise or exertion at a level that the person was previously able to manage without fatigue,
• feeling hot or feverish even though temperature may be normal,
• sensitivity to light or sound,
• light-headedness or dizziness, when standing or sitting up from lying.

There is no specific test for diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is usually diagnosed by using the history of symptoms and ruling out other possible conditions. When a doctor examines someone with CFS they usually find no abnormalities with their physical examination or blood tests.

Unfortunately, there is no simple cure for CFS. Most people who have CFS find that their symptoms get better over time and they are able to resume normal daily activity within 1 to 2 years. Some people will continue to have symptoms for many years.

KidsPhysio may be able to help by providing advice regarding appropriate exercise. We can look at your routines: including sleep patterns, which activities you are able to do / enjoy doing and what makes your symptoms better or worse. We will then discuss appropriate exercise, where possible, in the form of everyday activities, for example shopping, walking up and down stairs. Often specific strengthening or stretching exercises will also be beneficial. We will help you to keep an activity diary, so we can adjust the physiotherapy programme to maximise its benefit. The diary will also help your doctor assess your progress. Your physiotherapist will liase with the other members of the multidisciplinary team, eg doctor and psychologist.