Email a Friend
Print ArticleBrain & Nervous System Health Center
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitisis not the name you expected.
Synonyms
- Akureyri Disease
- Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
- Epidemic Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
- Epidemic Neuromyasthenia
- Iceland Disease
- Raphe Nucleus Encephalopathy
- Royal Free Disease
- Tapanui Flu
- ME
- CFS
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
Until the late 1980s, myalgic encephalomyelitis was thought to be a distinct, infectious disorder affecting the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems and the muscles. Its major symptom was fatigue to the point of extended periods of exhaustion. A group of experts studying the Epstein-Barr virus first published strict criteria for the symptoms and physical signs of chronic fatigue syndrome in 1988. This case definition was further refined in 1994.
The Fact Sheet for CFS published by the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health states that "[T]oday, CFS is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, postviral fatigue syndrome, and chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome." ME/CFS is now recognized as part of a range of illnesses that have fatigue as a major symptom.
ME/CFS is not rare. The CDC estimates that there are as many as 500,000 persons in the United States who have CFS-like symptoms. However, the disorder remains debilitating, complex and mysterious in origin, natural history, understanding and treatment.
Resources
National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Association
P.O. Box 18426
Kansas City
MO
64133
Tel: (816)737-1343
Fax: (816)524-6782
information@ncfsfa.org
http://www.ncfsfa.org
Myalgic Encephalopathy Association
The ME Association
4 Top Angel
Buckingham Industrial Park
Buckingham
Buchinghamshire
Intl
MK18 1TH
UK
Tel: 4408712227824
Fax: 4401820821602
gill.briody@meassociation.org.uk
http://www.meassociation.org.uk
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta
GA
30333
Tel: (404)639-3534
800: (800)311-3435
http://www.cdc.gov/netinfo.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
6610 Rockledge Drive
MSC 6612
Bethesda
MD
20892-6612
Tel: (301)496-5717
Fax: (301)402-3573
TDD: (800)877-8339
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
CFIDS Association of America, Inc.
PO Box 220398
Charlotte
NC
28222-0398
USA
Tel: (704)364-0466
Fax: (704)365-9755
800: (800)442-3437
cfids@cfids.org
http://www.cfids.org
MAME, Inc. (Mothers Against Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
1 Orne Square
Salem
MA
01970
USA
Tel: (978)744-8293
Fax: (978)744-2027
MAME@mame-net.org
http://www.mame-net.org
National CFIDS Foundation, Inc.
103 Aletha Rd
Needham
MA
02492-3931
Tel: (781)449-3535
Fax: (781)449-8606
gailronda@aol.com
http://www.ncf-net.org
CF Alliance
P.O. Box 9204
Bardonia
NY
10954
Tel: (845)548-0313
Fax: (845)792-0880
CF_ALLIANCE@yahoo.com
http://cf-alliance.tripod.com
ME Association
4 Top Angel
Buckingham
MK18 1TH
UK
Tel: 44 (0) 1280 821602
meconnection@meassociation.org.uk
http://www.meassociation.org.uk
For a Complete Report:
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 4/8/2009
Copyright 1987, 1988, 1989, 2004, 2009 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders
Many people experience dizzy spells, but how much is too much? Learn when dizzy equals danger.
