Chronic Fatigue Syndrome CFS

also known as Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), is a multisystem disorder with unknown etiology or pathophysiology. It is currently thought that CFS is a multifactorial condition in which an infective agent causes an aberrant immune response. It is characterized by extreme fatigue, immune system dysfunction, neurological and endocrine disorders, chronic pain, and numerous other symptoms. Many of those with CFS are extremely sensitive to chemical exposure. F9-34] 

CFS is diagnosed by its symptoms following the elimination of other possibilities. For a person to be diagnosed with CFS, she or he must meet the following two criteria I29,34  

Unexplained persistent or relapsing fatigue for at least six months duration that is 

Four or more of the following eight symptoms, persistent or relapsing, for at least six months  

It has been hypothesized that the same elevated nitric oxide/peroxyni-trite mechanism described for MCS (Section 26.5), 23 also applies to CFS. 45-51 In this hypothesis, CFS symptoms are ascribed to nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, and related hypoxia as follows 461 

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Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), encephalopathy, weakness, malaise, neurofibrillary tangles, neuritis, retrobulbar neuritis, neuropathy, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, dementia, presenile and senile dementia, decreased locomotor activity, and speech disorders... 

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition in which the etiology is unclear. The illness is characterized by persistent and relapsing fatigue, and other varying symptoms throughout the body. In 2000, a critique of the litera-... 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)... 

Chemical Sensitivity Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), and Gulf War Syndrome (GWS)... 

Individuals with chemical sensitivity, also referred to as chemical intolerance, are those who react adversely to low levels of chemicals that are tolerated by the general population. These include Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), and Gulf War Syndrome (GWS). Each is a clinically defined condition that can give rise to chemical sensitivity, but there is, however, considerable comorbidity between them. Each is addressed individually, followed by a discussion of its similar responses to chemical stimuli. 

Fibromyalgia is a newer word connoting severe muscle pain, as distinguished from the joint pain of arthritis or rheumatism. Other symptoms such as depression and anxiety may also occur, and may include loss of sleep and flu-hke symptoms, hence the catchall term fibromyalgia syndrome. There is an overlap with symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS].)... 

Hokama (2003). Hokama Y, Uto GA, Palafox NA, et al. Chronic phase lipids in sera of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), chronic ciguatera fish poisoning (CCFP), hepatitis B, and cancer with antigenic epitope resembling ciguatoxin, as assessed with MAb-CTX. J Clin Lab Analysis 2003 17 132-139. 

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