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Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue syndrome is defined as unexplained fatigue lasting for six months or more. Patients are considered to have CFS if they meet both of the following criteria:
1. Clinically evaluated, unexplained persistent or relapsing chronic fatigue that is of new or definite onset (i.e., not lifelong), is not the result of ongoing exertion, is not substantially alleviated by rest, and results in substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities.
2. The concurrent occurrence of four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration; sore throat; tender lymph nodes; muscle pain; multi-joint pain without swelling or redness; headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity; unrefreshing sleep; and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours. These symptoms must have persisted or recurred during 6 or more consecutive months of illness and must not have predated the fatigue.

Since there may be other scientific evidence that is not reported in the major U.S. biomedical databases, this list of treatments cannot be considered comprehensive.

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Based on scientific evidence the following approaches have shown to be effective in the treatment of Chronic Fatigue:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

How It Works

Scientific Evidence

Exercise

How It Works

Scientific Evidence

Herbal Medicine

How It Works

Scientific Evidence

Homeopathy

How It Works

Scientific Evidence

Hypnosis

How It Works

Scientific Evidence

Massage Therapy

How It Works

Scientific Evidence

Nutrition/Supplementation

How It Works

Scientific Evidence

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The treatment approaches listed above are based on scientific evidence as reported in journals indexed in major biomedical databases. It must be noted that there may be other scientific evidence for the effectiveness of treatments that is not reported in those databases. Therefore, this list cannot be considered a comprehensive list.

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Content last modified on May 18, 2007