LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new report declares chronic fatigue syndrome a real and serious disease and needs a new name to reflect that — along with a straightforward way to diagnose the illness.

The Institute of Medicine sought to redefine this long-controversial ailment Tuesday, after hearing from patients that the “chronic fatigue” moniker belittles their suffering. The panel advised the government that instead, it should be named Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease, or SEID, to reflect that symptoms worsen after exertion.

The panel also set new criteria for diagnosis, saying doctors should focus on five main symptoms. In addition to post-exertion worsening, they include: fatigue that forces a reduction in pre-illness activity levels for six months or more, non-refreshing sleep, cognitive problems, and symptoms that improve when lying down.