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Diseases » Chronic Fatigue Syndrome » Glossary

Glossary for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Abdominal Pain: A condition which is characterized by the sensation of pain that is located in the abdomen
Adrenal insufficiency: Where there is insufficient secretion of hormones secreted from the adrenal glands
Adrenoleukodystrophy: A rare disorder which has characteristic symptoms of Addison disease (adrenocortical insufficiency) and Schilder disease (cerebral sclerosis). Bronze skin, brain sclerosis and demyelination are the main symptoms.
Adult Panic-Anxiety Syndrome: A psychiatric disorder involving anxiety and panic attacks that occur for no obvious reason.
Alcohol abuse: Excessive use of alcohol ranging from binge drinking to severe alcoholism
Alcoholism: Alcoholism is the compulsive urge to drink alcohol despite knowing the negative impact on one's health.
Allergies: Immune system over-reaction to various substances.
Amebiasis: An intestinal infection caused by a parasitic amebic organism. It is usually associated with poor sanitation.
Anemia: Reduced ability of blood to carry oxygen from various possible causes.
Anorexia Nervosa: A disorder where a distorted sense of body image leads to self-starvation to the point of death in some cases.
Asthma: Repeated attacks of breathing difficulty.
Autoimmune diseases: A group of disorders in which the primary cause is the an inflammatory reaction caused by the body's own immune system attacking tissues
Behcet's Disease: Recurring inflammation of small blood vessels affecting various areas.
Bipolar disorder: Cycles of mania and depression; commonly called "manic-depression".
Blastomycosis: A fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis and resulting in lung, skin, bone and genitourinary involvement.
Bradykinesia: A medical term used to describe slow execution of movements and the ability to adjust the body's position is reduced.
Bronchitis: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the air passages within the lungs. It occurs when the trachea and the large and small bronchi within the lungs become inflamed
Bulimia nervosa: Eating disorder with binging (overeating) and purging (vomiting).
CFS subtype 1 (cognitive, musculoskeletal, sleep, anxiety/depression): Chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic condition which is characterized by symptoms such as severe persistent fatigue, depression, weakness, muscle pain and lack of energy. The condition is often debilitating and may be difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific tests for the condition. There is no known cause but it appears to be associated with a previous infection in some cases. CFS subtype 1 tends to be more severe with the dominant symptoms being anxiety, depression and cognitive, musculoskeletal and sleeping problems.
CFS subtype 2 ( musculoskeletal, pain, anxiety/depression): Chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic condition which is characterized by symptoms such as severe persistent fatigue, depression, weakness, muscle pain and lack of energy. The condition is often debilitating and may be difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific tests for the condition. There is no known cause but it appears to be associated with a previous infection in some cases. CFS subtype 2 tends to be more severe with the dominant symptoms being anxiety, depression, pain and musculoskeletal problems.
CFS subtype 3 (mild): Chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic condition which is characterized by symptoms such as severe persistent fatigue, depression, weakness, muscle pain and lack of energy. The condition is often debilitating and may be difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific tests for the condition. There is no known cause but it appears to be associated with a previous infection in some cases. CFS subtype 3 tends to have milder symptoms than other subtypes.
CFS subtype 5 (musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal): Chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic condition which is characterized by symptoms such as severe persistent fatigue, depression, weakness, muscle pain and lack of energy. The condition is often debilitating and may be difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific tests for the condition. There is no known cause but it appears to be associated with a previous infection in some cases. CFS subtype 5 tends to be dominated by musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal symptoms.
CFS subtype 6 (postexertional): Chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic condition which is characterized by symptoms such as severe persistent fatigue, depression, weakness, muscle pain and lack of energy. The condition is often debilitating and may be difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific tests for the condition. There is no known cause but it appears to be associated with a previous infection in some cases. CFS subtype 6 tends to be dominated by excessive fatigue following exertion.
CFS subtype 7 (pain, infectious, musculoskeletal, sleep, neurological, gastrointestinal, neurocognitive, anxiety/depression): Chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic condition which is characterized by symptoms such as severe persistent fatigue, depression, weakness, muscle pain and lack of energy. The condition is often debilitating and may be difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific tests for the condition. There is no known cause but it appears to be associated with a previous infection in some cases. CFS subtype 7 tends to be more severe with the dominant symptoms being pain, infections, anxiety, depression and musculoskeletal, sleep, neurological, gastrointestinal and neurocognitive problems.
COPD: Severe obstruction of bronchial air flow typically from bronchitis and/or emphysema.
Cancer: Abnormal overgrowth of body cells.
Candidiasis: Fungal infection of moist areas such as mouth or vagina
Celiac Disease: Digestive intolerance to gluten in the diet.
Chest pain: Pain in the chest area.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Long-term and generally irreversible disease of the kidneys due to infection, obstruction, congenital diseases or generalised diseases causing failure of the kidneys' normal functions.
Chronic anemia: Chronic anemia refers to a low blood cell count that has occurred over a longer period of time rather than suddenly. It is associated with chronic disease processes e.g. kidney disease.
Chronic infections: Ongoing and often slow progressing infection; opposite to acute infections.
Chronic liver disease: Any form of chronic liver disease
Chronic pelvic pain:
Coccidioidomycosis: An infectious disease caused by a fungus called Coccidioides immitis which is found in the soil. Transmission usually occurs through inhalation but can rarely occur through the skin. Very rarely, infection can spread throughout the body to involve the skin, bones, joints, lungs and central nervous system which can be fatal if untreated.
Common cold: A cold is a relatively minor contagious infection of the nose and throat that can be caused by a number of different viruses (e.g. rhinoviruses, coronaviruses). There are over 200 different viruses that have the potential to cause the common cold. Although colds can cause discomfort they are not considered a serious condition.
Connective tissue disorders: Any condition affecting connective tissues.
Constipation: Difficult or dry bowel movements
Conversion Disorder: A psychological condition where physical symptoms arise due to emotional dilemmas.
Cough: The noise produced from the sudden expulsion of air from the lungs
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: A very rare degenerative brain disease that can be inherited, transmitted (eg in surgical transplants using infected tissue) or as a result of genetic mutations. The condition is fatal.
Crohn's disease: Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the digestive system. It is one of a group of diseases called inflammatory bowel disease. The disease can affect any area from the mouth to the anus. It often affects the lower part of the small intestine called the ileum.
Cushing's syndrome: A rare syndrome where excessive secretion of corticosteroids by the adrenal cortex leads to a variety of symptoms. Hormone-secreting adrenal or pituitary tumors are often the cause of the excessive corticosteroid secretion.
Cystic Fibrosis: Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease affecting the exocrine (mucus) glands of the lungs, liver, pancreas, and intestines, causing progressive disability due to multisystem failure.
Delusional disorder: Persisting delusional beliefs
Dementia: Various mental impairment conditions.
Depression: Various syndromes with excessive anxiety, phobias, or fear.
Depressive symptoms: Inappropriate depressed mood.
Dermatomyositis: A muscle disease characterized by chronic muscle inflammation resulting in progressive muscle weakness and a characteristic rash.
Diabetes: Failing or reduced ability of the body to handle sugars.
Dyspareunia: Vaginal pain after sexual intercourse
Dysthymia/seasonal depression disorder, PND:
Dysuria: Painful urination
Endocrine disorders: Any disorder that affects the endocrine system
Endogenous depression: Endogenous depression is a mood disorder that affects some people from birth and is believed to be a genetic condition. A sufferer is prone to become depressed on the advent of traumatic events, exhaustion or when under high levels of stress and may not be aware of the disorder until confronted by symptoms of depression for the first time.
Epstein-Barr virus: Common virus causing mononucleosis
Facial pain: Pain affecting the face
Fatigue: Excessive tiredness or weakness.
Fibromyalgia: A difficult to diagnose condition affecting the muscles and/or joints
Fungal infections: Any condition caused by fungus.
Giardia: Contagious parasitic digestive infection
Guam disease: A nerve degeneration disorder that occurs particularly in Guam and involves progressive dementia and parkinsonism which ultimately leads to death.
HIV/AIDS: HIV is a sexually transmitted virus and AIDS is the progressive immune failure that HIV causes.
Headache: In medicine a headache or cephalalgia is a symptom of a number of different conditions of the head and sometimes neck. Some of the causes are benign while others are medical emergencies. It ranks among the most common pain complaints
Heart failure: Slow failure of the heart (cardiac insufficiency).
Heart symptoms: Symptoms affecting the heart
Hemochromatosis: Excess of iron leading to problems with joints, liver, heart and pancreas.
Hepatitis: Any type of liver inflammation or infection.
Histoplasmosis: Lung infection from fungus Histoplasma capsulatum
Hypercalcaemia: Increased concentration of calcium in the blood
Hyperthyroidism: Too much thyroid hormone production.
Hyperventilation: Excessively rapid breathing causing blood gas imbalances
Hypochondriasis: A disorder characterised by a preoccupation with normal bodily functions as abnormalities
Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar level
Hypothyroidism: Too little thyroid hormone production.
Immune disorders: Disorders that affect the immune system
Infection: Infections as a symptom.
Inflammatory bowel disease: Any type of digestive condition caused by bowel inflammation.
Jet lag: Jet lag is a physiological condition which is a consequence of alterations to circadian rhythms; it is classified as one of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Jet lag results from rapid long-distance transmeridian (east-west or west-east) travel, as on a jet plane.
Leg pain: Pain affecting the leg
Lupus: Autoimmune disease with numerous effects on various organs and linings.
Lyme disease: Lyme disease is an emerging infectious disease caused by at least three species of bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia.
Lymphoma: Cancer involving lymph nodes and the immune system.
Menopause: The end of female menstruation and fertility.
Mononucleosis: Common infectious virus.
Multiple Sclerosis: Autoimmune attack on spinal nerves causing diverse and varying neural problems.
Musculoskeletal chronic fatigue syndrome: Musculoskeletal chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic condition which is characterized by symptoms such as severe persistent fatigue, depression, weakness, muscle pain and lack of energy. The condition is often debilitating and may be difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific tests for the condition. There is no known cause but it appears to be associated with a previous infection in some cases. Musculoskeletal chronic fatigue syndrome tends to be dominated by musculoskeletal symptoms.
Myasthenia Gravis: An autoimmune disorder which interferes with nerve impulses to muscles and hence results in weak, easily fatigued muscles.
Myxedema: Skin and tissue disorder usually due to hypothyroidism
Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is characterized by the classic tetrad of excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.
Neck pain: Pain affecting the neck
Neurological chronic fatigue syndrome: Neurological chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic fatigue condition which tends to be dominated by neurological symptoms. Symptoms tend to be more severe than other forms of CFS. The condition is often debilitating and may be difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific tests for the condition.
Obstructive sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is characterized by episodic upper airway obstruction that occurs during sleep.
Panic attack: Sudden attack of unreasonable panic or fear without any real danger
Parasitic Conditions: A condition that is characterised by another organism living off another organism
Polymyalgia rheumatica: A condition characterized by muscle pain and stiffness, fatigue and fever. It is often associated with giant-cell arteritis which is a related but more serious condition.
Possibly Autoimmune Diseases: Diseases that may be autoimmune or have an autoimmune subtype, but it is unclear or controversial.
Post-ADD chronic fatigue syndrome: Post- ADD chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic condition which occurs in young adults who have suffered attention deficit disorder during childhood. The condition is often debilitating and may be difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific tests for the condition.
Post-viral CFS: Post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic fatigue condition which may follow severe viral infections. The condition is often debilitating and may be difficult to diagnose due to lack of specific tests for the condition.
Prostration: Extreme exhaustion and fatigue.
Pruritus: The sensation of itch
Sarcoidosis: Rare autoimmune disease usually affecting the lungs.
Schizophrenia: Psychiatric disorder with delusional beliefs and hallucinations.
Shoulder Pain: A pain that occurs in the shoulder. There is often other associated symptoms depending on the cause of the shoulder pain. For example, swelling may indicate a broken bone.
Sjogren's Syndrome: Autoimmune disease damaging the eye tear ducts and other glands.
Sleep apnea: Childhood obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome is characterized by episodic upper airway obstruction that occurs during sleep.
Temporal arteritis: Inflamed head artery causing headache.
Thyroid disorders: Any disorder of the thyroid gland.
Tiredness: Feeling tired either physically or mentally
Toxoplasmosis: Infection often caught from cats and their feces.
Tuberculosis: Bacterial infection causing nodules forming, most commonly in the lung.
Type A influenza subtype H1: The H1 subtype of influenza is a strain of the type A influenza virus that can cause cause serious illness and result in pandemics. Influenza is viral respiratory infection. The virus is very contagious and can cause severe illness especially in patients who are very young or old or have some other medical condition as well. The severity of symptoms can vary but usually involves respiratory and constitutional (e.g. headache, aching muscles) symptoms. The influenza virus can mutate and produce different strains though the symptoms are the same. This frequent mutation means that people need regular vaccinations to ensure they are protected against new strains as they arise.
Viral diseases: Any disease that is caused by a virus
Weakness: Symptoms causing weakness of the body
Wegener's granulomatosis: A rare disease involving blood vessel inflammation which can affect the blood flow to various tissues and organs and hence cause damage. The respiratory system and the kidneys are the main systems affected.