Chronic fatigue syndrome evaluation and management

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is when someone experiences extreme fatigue with no underlying medical condition. The fatigue does not improve with rest, and it may worsen with physical or mental activity. Other symptoms of CFS include loss of memory/concentration, sore throat, headaches, enlarged lymph nodes in your neck or armpits and unexplained muscle or joint pain.

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, but there are several theories, such as:

• Viral infections 
• Impaired immune system
• Hormonal imbalances

At Cohen Children's, our experts have developed unique expertise in the evaluation and management of adolescents with CFS. We have worked with hundreds of adolescents with this condition and their families. Our emphasis is on determining the cause(s) of the condition for each individual patient and determining if there are any underlying medical or psychological issues. Since there is no cure for CFS, we focus on planning a customized approach to managing symptoms and maximizing functioning throughout the adolescent years.