Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a complex and often debilitating illness that affects at least one million Americans. It can be challenging to diagnose and treat, creating a cycle of frustration for both patients and health care professionals. Whether you’re a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant or other health care professional, you can help patients with CFS. You can break the cycle of frustration and help your CFS patients manage symptoms, improve function and improve quality of life.
Resources for Medical Professionals
The CFIDS Association publishes evidence-based information on clinical care, including pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment interventions, supportive care and other topics of interest to clinicians and researchers. The best way to keep up with the latest information is to subscribe to our free monthly electronic newsletter, CFIDSLink.
A good place to begin is with this overview article titled, “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” published in the spring 2010 issue of The Pain Practitioner by the American Academy of Pain Management that serves 6,000 pain care professionals. It was authored by Association CEO Kim McCleary and scientific director Suzanne D. Vernon, PhD. The article features symptoms of CFS, commom co-morbidities, major research findings, and new directions for CFS research.