PRIMARY SYMPTOMS
As the name chronic fatigue syndrome suggests, this illness is accompanied by fatigue. It’s a severe, incapacitating fatigue that isn’t improved by bed rest and that may be exacerbated by physical or mental activity. It’s an all-encompassing fatigue that results in a dramatic decline in both activity level and stamina.

People with CFS function at a significantly lower level of activity than they were capable of prior to becoming ill. The illness results in a substantial reduction in occupational, personal, social or educational activities.

Cognitive dysfunction, including impaired memory or concentration

• Postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours (exhaustion and increased symptoms) following physical or mental exercise
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Joint pain (without redness or swelling)
• Persistent muscle pain
• Headaches of a new type or severity
• Tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
• Sore throat
• Other Common Symptoms

In addition to the eight primary defining symptoms of CFS, a number of other symptoms have been reported by some CFS patients. The frequency of occurrence of these symptoms varies among patients. These symptoms include:

• Irritable bowel, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or bloating
• Chills and night sweats
• Brain fog
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic cough
• Visual disturbances (blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain or dry eyes)
• Allergies or sensitivities to foods, alcohol, odors, chemicals, medications or noise
• Difficulty maintaining upright position (orthostatic instability, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, balance problems or fainting)
• Psychological problems (depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, panic attacks)
• Jaw pain
• Weight loss or gain