Includes bibliographical references (pages 143-162) and index.

"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is sometimes dismissed as an "all in your head" illness, as there are no tests or other physical signs to diagnose it. A diagnosis is given when a health care practitioner has ruled out other causes for the cluster of symptoms. Still individuals with CFS remain frustrated by the lack of belief and support from health care providers, families, and friends. Bringing validation to the one million sufferers of CFS What Nurses Know. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sheds new light on this condition and its symptoms from a trusted source - nurses. Logically organized and clearly written, What Nurses Know. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome provides individuals, their families, friends, caregivers and healthcare practitioners with the answers they need and want. Special features include numerous sidebars and call out boxes with "New Nursing Research Points to." and "Nurse Notes." Also included are definitions of common terms, resources, online tools, lists of support groups, and specific websites to help those living with CFS"--Provided by publisher.

"What Nurses Know ... CFS provides validation to the more than one million PWCFS in the United States. It presents an overview of the illness and the latest informa-tion about, and description of, symptoms, as well as sug-gested management of them. It discusses getting a diagno-sis and putting together a health care team; for example, readers may choose a neurologist for management of their newly acquired headaches or a rheumatologist for joint pain. Emphasis is placed on the importance of finding a knowledgeable, caring health care provider who is suppor-tive, learning how to communicate with the health care provider and team, and making the most of appointment time"--Provided by publisher.