An Overview of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Prevalence and Costs:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex, multi-systemic disorder
affecting from 1-4 million people in the United States and approximately 200,000
people in Canada. ME/CFS typically costs families approximately $25,000 a year in lost wages
and medical costs. Total costs to the US economy range from 19-25 billion dollars a year.
Who Gets Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)?
While people of every age, sex and socioeconomic class get CFS, middle-aged
women appear to be at the highest risk. Some evidence suggests that people with
lower incomes also have a higher risk of getting this disease.
Some researchers
believe increased rates of physical and/or psychological stress may increase ones
risk of getting CFS. Many CFS patients cannot, however, identify a trigger for their
illness. Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) does not appear to be contagious but some evidence suggests
there is a hereditary component to the disease and that it can run in some families.
Symptoms and Diagnosis: Only approximately 20%
of chroni
c
fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients in the U.S. have been diagnosed. Because no laboratory
tests unique to the disease have been found patients are diagnosed using symptoms
and by eliminating other diseases. According to the International Definition (1994)
CFS is characteri
zed by
unexplained severe fatigue lasting for over six months that is not substantially
alleviated by rest.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
patients must also display four or more of the following symptoms; post-exertional
malaise, unrefreshing sleep, memory and/or concentration problems, muscle and/or
joint pains, headaches, sore throat and tender lymph nodes.
Because diagnosing ME/CFS requires ruling out numerous other diseases (thyroid disease,
multiple sclerosis, depression, etc.) that could cause similar symptoms this disease
can only be diagnosed by a physician. Patients commonly also display a wide array
of other symptoms.
Dig Deeper! Diagnosing ME/CFS
Dig Deeper! Symptoms
Prognosis: Recovery rates appear to be highest in the first
two years of the disease. A significant percentage of CFS patients improve over
time and a smaller number decline. While total recoveries do occur they do not appear
to be common. Recovery can occur, however, even in patients who have had this disease
for decades. Studies on mortality are rare but CFS does not appear to be associated
with increased mortality.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): the Basics
Dig Deeper! Check out Prognosis
Causes of CFS: A wide variety of immune, endocrine,
cardiovascular and central nervous abnormalities have been reported in CFS. Among the causes
suggested for CFS include damage to parts of the brain governing cognition, memory, mood,
energy and perception, an altered stress response, an unbalanced immune system,
a hidden chronic infection, dysfunction of the interferon pathway, rampant free
radical production, abnormal sympathetic nervous system activity, cardiac dysfunction
and others.
Dig Deeper:
Causes of CFS
Treating CFS:
There is no cure for CFS but physicians employ a wide variety
of pharmaceutical drugs, alternative therapies, nutritional aids and coping strategies
to ameliorate the symptoms of CFS.
Dig Deeper: Prognosis
and Treatment Success Rates /
Treating CFS
The Future:
Chronic fatigue syndrome has made great strides in gaining legitimacy
over the past five years. In 2006 the head of the CDC and the Assistant Secretary
of Health kicked off an extensive media campaign designed to inform the public and
physicians of the serious nature of CFS. ME/CFS researchers have recently uncovered
immune, nervous system and endocrine abnormalities in CFS patients. While the disease's
legitimacy in the professional and public arena's has increased research funding
remains astonishingly low and in some areas has declined.
Dig Deeper: Advocacy Pages
Dig Deeper! Check out the
Phoenix Rising Forums
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Centers For Disease Control: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
CFIDS Association of America: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome