There are various theories but none has been proved. The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is not known. For example, blood tests may be done to rule out anaemia, an underactive thyroid gland, liver problems and kidney problems. However, some tests are usually done to rule out other causes of your tiredness (fatigue) or other symptoms. There is currently no test to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome and it is recognised from your symptoms alone. How is chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosed?

Some people with very severe CSF/ME may not be able to swallow and may need to be tube fed.

You need help with personal hygiene and eating, and are very sensitive to sensory stimuli.

You are in bed all day and dependent on care.

You may also spend most of your time in bed and are often extremely sensitive to light and sound.ДЇeatures of very severe chronic fatigue syndrome.

You are often unable to leave the house or you have a severe and prolonged after-effect if you do so.

You have severe cognitive difficulties and may depend on a wheelchair for mobility.

You are unable to do any activity for yourself, or you can carry out minimal daily tasks only (such as face washing or cleaning teeth).

Your sleep at night is generally of poor quality and disturbed.ДЇeatures of severe chronic fatigue syndrome.

You have usually stopped work or education, and need rest periods, often resting in the afternoon for one or two hours.However you may have peaks and troughs in your level of symptoms and ability to do activities.You have reduced mobility and are restricted in all activities of daily living.You often have reduced hours, take days off and use the weekend to cope with the rest of the week.ДЇeatures of moderate chronic fatigue syndrome.You are usually still able to work or attend education, but to do this you have probably stopped all leisure and social pursuits.You are able to care for yourself and do some light domestic tasks (sometimes needing support) but may have difficulties with mobility.However, the following definitions are provided by NICE to provide a guide to the level of impact of symptoms on everyday functioning:ДЇeatures of mild chronic fatigue syndrome Symptoms vary widely in severity and people may have some symptoms more severely than others. Severity of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms

Pain, including pain on touch, muscle pain, headaches, eye pain, tummy (abdominal) pain, or joint pain.Increased sensitivities, including to light, sound, touch, taste and smell.Intolerance to alcohol, or to certain foods or chemicals.Flu-like symptoms, including sore throat, tender glands, nausea, chills or muscle aches.Twitching and other abnormal uncontrolled body movements.Increased sensitivity to temperature, causing increased sweating, chills, hot flushes or feeling very cold.Dizziness, palpitations, fainting, nausea on standing or sitting upright from a lying position.Other symptoms that may be associated with CFS/ME include: The diagnosis can only be confirmed after three months of persistent symptoms, but only if the symptoms cannot be explained by any other condition. Inability to engage fully in work, educational, social or personal activities.Difficulty concentrating or multitasking.Difficulties with conscious mental activities, such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering (cognitive difficulties), sometimes described as 'brain fog'.Broken or shallow sleep, altered sleep pattern or excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia).Feeling exhausted, feeling flu-like and stiff on waking.Unrefreshing sleep or sleep disturbance, which may include:.Has a prolonged recovery time that may last hours, days, weeks or longer.Is much greater that you would expect for that particular activity.Often doesn't start until hours or days after the activity.

Post-exertional malaise (PEM): feeling unwell with no energy after activities, with a worsening of symptoms that:.

Extreme tiredness (fatigue) that is worsened by activity, but is not caused by excessive exertion, and is not significantly relieved by rest.

CFS should be suspected if the following symptoms are not explained by any other condition, and persist for a minimum of six weeks in adults, or four weeks in children and young people: The onset of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms can be fairly sudden (over a few days or so), or more gradual. What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?

M.e cfs symptoms