Everyone gets tired, and everyone requires adequate sleep. However, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) can not be classified as the normal ups and downs experienced in everyday life. The earliest sign of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a strong fatigue that either comes on suddenly and then subsides or can continue constantly. Normal activities can become impossible to perform and exhaustion can appear with no readily apparent reason. Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), Yuppie Flu , and by a variety of other names, is a complex and debilitating chronic illness that affects the brain and multiple body systems. The profound weakness experienced by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers does not go away with a few good nights of sleep. Instead, it clandestinely steals your energy and vigor over many months and sometimes years.

For many people, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can begin after a stint with a minor illness such as a cold, or an intestinal bug. In many cases CFS sufferers notice that their illness started during a period of high stress. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can also develop more gradually, with no clear illness or other event starting it. Besides the fatigue and extremely low stamina, Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome is characterized by problems concentrating, poor short-term memory, and post-exertional malaise (worsening symptoms after physical and or mental exertion). Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome is often accompanied by flu-like symptoms. Some of the symptoms to consider are as follows:

• Inability to concentrate
• Tender lymph nodes
• Sore throat (recurring)
• Fatigue and weakness
• Headache
• Muscle and joint aches
• Anxiety
• Bowel problems (diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain)
• Fever
• Memory problems (short term memory or concentration)
• Sleep (non-restorative)

Unlike influenza symptoms, which usually go away in a few days or weeks, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms can either hang on or come and go frequently for close to a year.