| The cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is both | | | | regarding its defining symptoms and causes. |
| confusing as well as debilitating with sceptics still | | | | Many Doctors still cannot agree if it is a central |
| claiming that the illness is all in the mind! A recent | | | | nervous system, metabolic, (post-) infectious, |
| report however, has stated that the Chronic | | | | immune system, or neuropsychiatric disorder, nor |
| Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) illness could be in the | | | | even if it is a single homogenous disorder (with a |
| genes. | | | | range of possible clinical presentations), or several |
| Scientist say that they have found that patients | | | | distinct disorders having many clinical |
| with (ME) Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic | | | | characteristics in common |
| Fatigue Syndrome (CFS as it is more widely | | | | However, researchers in the Europe claim they |
| known, shared certain genetic characteristics. | | | | have now discovered 88 genetic differences |
| Based on a 1999 study of adults in the United | | | | between Cronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)sufferers. |
| States, CFS is thought to affect approximately 4 | | | | This had allowed them to divide patients into |
| per 1,000 adults. For unknown reasons, Chronic | | | | several types, according to the severity of |
| Fatigue Syndrome occurs more often in women, | | | | thesymptoms. |
| and adults in their 40s and 50s. | | | | This could mean that blood tests could soon be |
| Symptoms include extreme exhaustion; sleep | | | | developed to help diagnose the Chronic Fatigue |
| disturbances, memory and concentration | | | | Syndromemore easily. |
| difficulties, sore throat and headaches and muscle | | | | An American study claimed that weekly injections |
| and joint pains. In many extreme cases it can | | | | of immune adjuvant, which regulates the way the |
| leave the sufferer bed ridden | | | | immunesystem works could help reduce the |
| The exact cause of CFS is still unknown, although | | | | symptoms for many suffers of chronic fatigue |
| there are several theories. Some people claim | | | | syndrome |
| that, those pre-disposed to the condition, develop | | | | According to the World Health Organisation, |
| it when triggered by a bacterial illness, Others | | | | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a neurological |
| think that a viral infection, such as glandular fever, | | | | condition that affects the central nervous system |
| can trigger the condition. | | | | within the brain, and had finally been recognised as |
| Tiredness is normal after a viral infection, but this | | | | a debilitating condition since 2002 and treatments |
| does not explain why symptoms continue and get | | | | are almost exclusively based on the psychological |
| worse Because the disease's symptoms are so | | | | aspects of the illness. |
| similar to flue and vary between patients, doctors | | | | In 2005 a study found that the symptoms of |
| are only able to diagnose it after ruling out every | | | | chronic fatigue syndrome were often |
| other possible cause. | | | | exacerbated by the psychological ones. While |
| It is more likely that CFS is caused by a | | | | some improvement may occur with medical care |
| combination of physical and psychological factors, | | | | and additional therapies of pacing, cognitive |
| which also affect how severe the condition is and | | | | behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy. |
| how long it lasts. | | | | However, other patient organisations surveys |
| Although widely acknowledged as Chronic Fatigue | | | | have also reported adverse effects |
| Syndrome (CFS). An official title for the illness has | | | | So are we any of the wiser. Have any of the |
| still not been confirmed, due to various schools of | | | | arguments or research or surveys proven that |
| thought and the lack of evidence from numerous | | | | the debilitating illness,Chronic fatigue Syndrome is |
| clinical, research and patient communities, | | | | in the Genes or in the mind? I rest my case. |