A good distillation of the theories about chronic fatigue syndrome's possible causes.
Theories abound about the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Many physicians still doubt that CFS is an actual disease but believe rather that it is a component of a psychological disorder or a symptom of other problems, similar to anemia and high blood pressure. Indeed, no primary cause has been found that explains all cases of CFS, and a number of experts believe that it develops from a combination of factors including brain abnormalities, a hyper-reactive immune system, and a viral or other infectious agent. Still, although all of these elements appear to be at work in many cases of CFS, it is not yet clear what sequence of events actually leads to the fatigue and other prominent symptoms of this disorder. Other conditions that have been posited as causes for certain CFS cases include hypotension, hyperventilation, and defective muscle tissue. Central Nervous System and Hormone Abnormalities Abnormalities in the central nervous system, including pinpoint spots of brain inflammation and abnormal levels of certain hormones have been reported in a number of patients with CFS, but similar findings have also been found in those without the illness.