Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
{A Hidden Epidemic}
... it's affecting more and more people.
Many are not able to work because of it, and many are housebound. It devastates lives and costs governments billions of pounds and dollars each year.
It's a hidden epidemic...
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) - an illness with many debilitating symptoms (both physical & mental) and no universal cure. The point of this group is to help increase awareness & understanding of this condition, as there is a serious lack of both in this country!
ME/CFS is a very serious illness that has a vast array of symptoms.
The term 'ME/CFS' has become known as the 'umbrella term' to describe what is now believed to be sub-groups of illnesses. These include:
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
- Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS)
All of these fall under the label 'ME/CFS'.
In fact, there are plenty more names and descriptions, that have been created over the years - all trying to pinpoint what this illness (or rather, what this group of illnesses), actually is. People are still disagreeing even now. Other names include:
- Myalgic Encephalopathy (M.E.) and
- Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS).
It affects 243,000 people in the United Kingdom, with plenty more undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. The CDC estimated that it affected 800,000 adults in the United States in 1999. That's twice the number of people with Multiple Sclerosis.
Even more sufferers are believed to be misdiagnosed by doctors who mistakenly put it down to 'depression' or 'stress'. Further sufferers are believed to never have been diagnosed.
Diagnosis of CFS and Complications
A diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is based on exclusion. This means that before arriving at a diagnosis, a doctor has ruled out any other disease or condition that may be causing your fatigue and related symptoms.
In general, doctors find it difficult to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome because it has some of the same signs and symptoms as many other diseases. There's no diagnostic or laboratory procedure to confirm the presence of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Doctors exclude certain conditions before considering a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. These include:
Having an active, identifiable medical condition that often results in fatigue, such as low levels of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) or sleep apnea
Using medicines that may cause fatigue
Having a relapse of a previously treated illness that can result in fatigue, such as cancer
Having had a past or current diagnosis of a major depressive disorder or other psychiatric illness, such as schizophrenia or an eating disorder
Abusing alcohol or another substance
Being severely obese, as defined by a body mass index (BMI) of 45 or greater
Over time, be alert to any new cues that might indicate that the problem is caused by something other than chronic fatigue syndrome. When other diseases or conditions are excluded, your doctor may then determine if your illness meets the CFS-specific criteria.
Complications
Possible complications of chronic fatigue syndrome include:
Depression, related both to symptoms and lack of diagnosis
Side effects and adverse reactions related to medication treatments
Side effects and adverse reactions associated with lack of activity (deconditioning)
Social isolation caused by fatigue
Lifestyle restrictions
Missing work
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Videos
This video is from the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
Have A look into the life of CFS's sufferer's lives