FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- According to the Centers for Disease Control, 4 million Americans have chronic fatigue syndrome.

That’s more than all the patients who have multiple sclerosis, lupus, lung cancer or ovarian cancer combined.

Yet there is still no specific treatment for this debilitating disease and little relief for those who suffer from it.

Taking a walk outside is not an easy task for Marly Silverman, 52.

She has chronic fatigue syndrome.

“It took me about 13 months to get diagnosed of CFS. I’m extremely tired, couldn’t sleep, overwhelming body pain and debilitating fatigue,” said Silverman.

The toughest pill to swallow is there’s still no treatment for folks like Silverman.

University of Miami immunologist Dr. Nancy Klimas is one of the leading researchers in this field.

“The treatment is multifactorial. The illness is caused by, in part, the immune system, which is super activated making inflammatory things. And the endocrine system, which is suddenly off so that circadian rhythm are not functioning properly,” Klimas said.

Klimas said the autonomic nervous system, which controls pulse, blood pressure and breathing, is also affected.

Symptoms include six months of more of unexplained fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, including impaired memory or concentration, joint pain, persistent muscle pain, headaches, sore throat and unrefreshed sleep.

Swimming and stretching exercises can help these patients; so can some anti-viral and pain medications.

There are some promising clinical trials under way regarding genes and certain proteins in the body.

Progress is slow for Silverman, who’s had chronic fatigue syndrome for 10 years.

She created a Web site to educated people about a disease that is often not taken seriously.

New studies show adolescents are also being diagnosed more frequently with chronic fatigue syndrome.

To learn more about this disorder, visit Pandoranet.info or iacfs.net.