Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Chronic fatigue syndrome (cfs).

Rolf H Adler1

  • 1University of Berne Medical School, Kehrsatz, Switzerland. rolf.adler@tele2.ch

Swiss Medical Weekly
|July 10, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is not a single disorder but a complex condition. Understanding fatigue involves biological emergency reactions, requiring an integrated approach to patient care.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Praxis·2017
Same author

Praxis·2016
Same author

[Psychotherapy: sitting or reclining?].

Praxis·2015
Same author

[IV - Medical expert vs. general practitioner: same pain patient - completely different perspective].

Praxis·2015
Same author

[Oh yes, that is true!].

Praxis·2015
Same author

Clinical competence of biopsychosocially trained physicians and controls.

Swiss medical weekly·2012

Area of Science:

  • Medical Science
  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is often viewed as a singular entity, but recent reviews suggest it is not a homogenous disorder.
  • Several other syndromes share overlapping symptoms with CFS, including depression, somatization, and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Understanding the pathogenetic factors requires examining immune, neuroendocrine, and autonomic systems, alongside psychological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the concept of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) based on the Fukuda et al. revision.
  • To determine if CFS can be considered a homogenous disorder.
  • To explore the pathogenetic factors and ontogenetic development of fatigue within CFS.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on CFS.
  • Analysis of overlapping syndromes and their relation to CFS.
  • Examination of pathogenetic factors including immune, neuroendocrine, and psychological aspects.
  • Exploration of the ontogenetic development of the affect of fatigue.

Main Results:

  • CFS is not a homogenous disorder; it encompasses a variety of presentations.
  • Fatigue in CFS can be understood within the context of biological emergency reactions: fight-flight and conservation-withdrawal.
  • Numerous factors contribute to CFS, including immune system disorders, neuroendocrine abnormalities, and psychological processes.

Conclusions:

  • CFS is best understood as a manifestation of activated fight-flight and conservation-withdrawal reactions.
  • An integrated approach to patient care is essential, considering biological, psychological, and social factors.
  • Treatment should encompass psychotherapy, physical activation, and potentially antidepressive medication.

Related Experiment Videos