New York – Exhausted by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Its Doubters

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    New York – Chronic fatigue syndrome causes a host of debilitating symptoms: profound exhaustion, disordered sleep, muscle and joint pain and severe cognitive problems, among others. But what causes the syndrome itself?

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    Since the first cases in the United States were identified in the 1980s, scientists have been divided over that question. Some have suspected that one or more viral infections are likely to play a central role.

    But many other researchers — not to mention relatives, friends, employers, doctors and insurers of the million or more Americans estimated to suffer from the illness — have dismissed it as stress-related, psychosomatic or simply imaginary.

    Now recent back-to-back announcements have highlighted both the volatility of the issue and the ambiguity of the science, and have alternately heartened and dismayed patients.

    On Dec. 14, an advisory panel suggested that the Food and Drug Administration ban blood donations by people with a history of C.F.S., as the illness is often called. The goal was to prevent the possible spread of viruses that two high-profile studies had linked to the condition.

    But then, on Dec. 20, the journal Retrovirology published four papers suggesting that key findings in those studies could have resulted from laboratory contamination.

    The F.D.A. is not required to accept the opinion of its advisory panel. Yet patients still hailed the recommendation as a sign that their illness was being taken seriously.

    Continue reading at The NY Times


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    4 Comments
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    Mr_Leslie
    Mr_Leslie
    13 years ago

    One factor not mentioned with Chronic fatique is obesity. People (individuals) are too tired to walk, to exercise, and grab food to gain energy. The body gets accustomed to the excess food and therefore … obesity.

    my4amos
    my4amos
    13 years ago

    “the first cases in the United States were identified in the 1980s”

    So, nobody had this “syndrome” before 1980s? Or is it that before we came up with “syndrome” or “disorder” to explain away every unusual behavior, the victims of this particular “sysndrome” were seen for what they are: low energy or just lazy?

    My father o”h told me there was time, not so long ago, when “storm” was called… rain with wind.

    FmrBklynKid
    FmrBklynKid
    13 years ago

    Try getting more sleep – you might cure the illness. However, most frum Jews don’t have enough time in the day to do everything we need to do if we want to make a living. Thank G-d for Shabbos – that’s when I cure the syndrome for a day. Until it starts over again on Sunday.