CFS CFS Symptoms and Daily Living 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which symptom is considered the hallmark of CFS that distinguishes it from general fatigue?
- Post-exertional malaise (PEM) (Correct answer)
- Chronic insomnia
- Persistent headache
- Muscle weakness
Correct answer: Post-exertional malaise (PEM)
Post-exertional malaise, where symptoms worsen significantly after physical or mental exertion, is the defining hallmark of CFS.
Question 2: What is 'orthostatic intolerance' commonly experienced by CFS patients?
- Difficulty tolerating bright lights
- Worsening symptoms when upright or standing (Correct answer)
- Inability to tolerate cold temperatures
- Sensitivity to certain foods
Correct answer: Worsening symptoms when upright or standing
Orthostatic intolerance refers to symptoms that worsen when a person stands or sits upright, often improving when lying down.
Question 3: How long must debilitating fatigue persist before a CFS diagnosis is typically considered in adults?
- 2 weeks
- 1 month
- 6 months (Correct answer)
- 1 year
Correct answer: 6 months
CFS is generally diagnosed when debilitating fatigue has been present for at least 6 months and is not explained by other conditions.
Question 4: Which cognitive symptom commonly described by CFS patients is sometimes called 'brain fog'?
- Aphasia
- Cognitive impairment affecting memory and concentration (Correct answer)
- Hallucinations
- Severe depression
Correct answer: Cognitive impairment affecting memory and concentration
'Brain fog' in CFS refers to cognitive impairment including difficulty with memory, concentration, and information processing.
Question 5: What sleep-related issue do many CFS patients paradoxically experience despite feeling exhausted?
- Hypersomnia only
- Unrefreshing sleep despite adequate duration (Correct answer)
- REM sleep disorder exclusively
- Sleepwalking
Correct answer: Unrefreshing sleep despite adequate duration
CFS patients often experience unrefreshing sleep, meaning they wake up still feeling exhausted even after a full night's rest.
Question 6: Which sensory sensitivity is frequently reported by people with CFS?
- Loss of taste
- Hypersensitivity to light, sound, or smell (Correct answer)
- Color blindness
- Loss of proprioception
Correct answer: Hypersensitivity to light, sound, or smell
Many CFS patients develop hypersensitivities to sensory stimuli such as light, noise, and odors, which can trigger symptom flares.
CFS CFS Symptoms and Daily Living 1
Which symptom is considered the hallmark of CFS that distinguishes it from general fatigue?