Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
 |  |  |  |
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A variety of studies by CDC and others have shown that between 1 and 4 million Americans suffer from Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome. They are seriously impaired, at least a quarter are unemployed or on disability because of
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The earlier a person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome receives medical treatment the
greater the likelihood that the illness will resolve. Equally important, about 40% of people in the general
population who report symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have a serious, treatable, preveviously
unrecognized medical or psychiatric condition (such as diabetes, thyroid disease, substance abuse). Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome is a serious ilillness and poses a dilemma for patients, their families, and health care
providers.
Causes
The cause or causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome remain unknown. Conditions that have been proposed to
trigger the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome include virus infection or other transient traumatic
conditions, stress, and toxins.
Recently published research suggests that infection with Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus and Coxiella
burnetti will lead to a post-infective condition that meets the criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in
approximately 12% of cases. The severity of the acute illness was the only factor found to predict which
individuals would have persistent symptoms characteristic of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at the six-month and
one-year period following infection.
It has also been proposed that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be caused by an immunologic dysfunction, for
example inappropriate production of cytokines, such as interleukin-1, or altered capacity of certain immune
functions. One thing is certain at this juncture: there are no immune disorders in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
patients on the scale traditionally associated with disease. Some investigators have observed anti-self
antibodies and immune complexes in many Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients, both of which are hallmarks of
autoimmune disease.
Physical or emotional stress, which is commonly reported as a pre-onset condition in Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome patients, activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or HPA axis, leading to increased release
of cortisol and other hormones. Cortisol and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), which are also produced
during the activation of the HPA axis, influence the immune system and many other body systems. They may
also affect several aspects of behavior. Recent studies revealed that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients often
produce lower levels of cortisol than do healthy controls.
Symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome shares symptoms with many other disorders. Fatigue, for instance, is found in
hundreds of illnesses, and 10% to 25% of all patients who visit general practitioners complain of prolonged
fatigue.
A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosis should be considered in patients who present with six months or more
of unexplained fatigue accompanied by other characteristic symptoms. Primary symptoms may include sleep
problems, muscle and joint pain, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, headaches and sore throat. Gastrointestinal
complaints, orthostatic instability, depression and allergies are also seen in many patients. Aggressive
symptom management for these and other disruptive symptoms is indicated.
While symptoms vary from person to person in number, type and severity, all Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients
are functionally impaired to some degree. CDC studies show that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be as
disabling as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, heart dissease, end-stage renal disease, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and similar chronic conditions.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often follows a cyclical course, alternating between periods of illness and relative
well-being. Some patients experience partial or complete remission of symptoms during the course of the
illness, but symptoms often reoccur.
Symptomatic Treatment
People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome present with different patterns of primary symptoms. Treatment, such as
pharmacologic therapy, can be directed toward the most problematic symptoms as prioritized by the patient.
Many Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients are sensitive to medications, particularly sedating medications.
Nutritional supplements and vitamins are frequently used by people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for
symptom relief. On the other hand, acupuncture, aquatic therapy, gentle massage, meditation, deep breathing,
biofeedback, yoga, tai chi and massage therapy have been found to help some patients and are often prescribed
for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptom management.
Who's at risk?
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome occurs up to four times more frequently in women than in men, although people of
either gender can develop the disease.
* The illness occurs most often in people between the ages of 40 and 59, but people of all ages can get Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome.
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is less common in children than in adults. Studies suggest that Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome is more prevalent in adolescents than in children.
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome occurs in all ethnic and racial groups, and in countries around the world.
* People of all income levels can develop Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, although there's evidence that it's more
common in lower-income than affluent individuals.
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is sometimes seen in members of the same family, but there's no evidence that it's
contagious. Instead, there may be a familial or genetic propensity.
INFORMATION extracted on March 25 2009 from CDC.GOV [A1] Readers Ask: A virus linked to chronic fatigue
syndrome, New York Times.com, October 13, 2009 [A2] Retrovirus XMRV and Hope for Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome? Empowher.com, October 13, 2009 [A3] Scientists finally zero in on a cause for chronic fatigue
syndrome, nydailynews.com, October 13, 2009 [A4] Lombardi VC. Et al, Detection of an Infectious Retrovirus,
XMRV, in Blood Cells of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Science. 2009 Oct 8. 2009
A variety of studies by CDC and others have shown that between 1 and 4 million Americans suffer from Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome. They are seriously impaired, at least a quarter are unemployed or on disability because of
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The earlier a person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome receives medical treatment the
greater the likelihood that the illness will resolve. Equally important, about 40% of people in the general
population who report symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have a serious, treatable, preveviously
unrecognized medical or psychiatric condition (such as diabetes, thyroid disease, substance abuse). Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome is a serious ilillness and poses a dilemma for patients, their families, and health care
providers.
Causes
The cause or causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome remain unknown. Conditions that have been proposed to
trigger the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome include virus infection or other transient traumatic
conditions, stress, and toxins.
Recently published research suggests that infection with Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus and Coxiella
burnetti will lead to a post-infective condition that meets the criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in
approximately 12% of cases. The severity of the acute illness was the only factor found to predict which
individuals would have persistent symptoms characteristic of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at the six-month and
one-year period following infection.
It has also been proposed that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be caused by an immunologic dysfunction, for
example inappropriate production of cytokines, such as interleukin-1, or altered capacity of certain immune
functions. One thing is certain at this juncture: there are no immune disorders in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
patients on the scale traditionally associated with disease. Some investigators have observed anti-self
antibodies and immune complexes in many Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients, both of which are hallmarks of
autoimmune disease.
Physical or emotional stress, which is commonly reported as a pre-onset condition in Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome patients, activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or HPA axis, leading to increased release
of cortisol and other hormones. Cortisol and corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), which are also produced
during the activation of the HPA axis, influence the immune system and many other body systems. They may
also affect several aspects of behavior. Recent studies revealed that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients often
produce lower levels of cortisol than do healthy controls.
Symptoms
Chronic fatigue syndrome shares symptoms with many other disorders. Fatigue, for instance, is found in
hundreds of illnesses, and 10% to 25% of all patients who visit general practitioners complain of prolonged
fatigue.
A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosis should be considered in patients who present with six months or more
of unexplained fatigue accompanied by other characteristic symptoms. Primary symptoms may include sleep
problems, muscle and joint pain, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, headaches and sore throat. Gastrointestinal
complaints, orthostatic instability, depression and allergies are also seen in many patients. Aggressive
symptom management for these and other disruptive symptoms is indicated.
While symptoms vary from person to person in number, type and severity, all Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients
are functionally impaired to some degree. CDC studies show that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be as
disabling as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, heart dissease, end-stage renal disease, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and similar chronic conditions.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often follows a cyclical course, alternating between periods of illness and relative
well-being. Some patients experience partial or complete remission of symptoms during the course of the
illness, but symptoms often reoccur.
Symptomatic Treatment
People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome present with different patterns of primary symptoms. Treatment, such as
pharmacologic therapy, can be directed toward the most problematic symptoms as prioritized by the patient.
Many Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients are sensitive to medications, particularly sedating medications.
Nutritional supplements and vitamins are frequently used by people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for
symptom relief. On the other hand, acupuncture, aquatic therapy, gentle massage, meditation, deep breathing,
biofeedback, yoga, tai chi and massage therapy have been found to help some patients and are often prescribed
for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptom management.
Who's at risk?
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome occurs up to four times more frequently in women than in men, although people of
either gender can develop the disease.
* The illness occurs most often in people between the ages of 40 and 59, but people of all ages can get Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome.
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is less common in children than in adults. Studies suggest that Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome is more prevalent in adolescents than in children.
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome occurs in all ethnic and racial groups, and in countries around the world.
* People of all income levels can develop Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, although there's evidence that it's more
common in lower-income than affluent individuals.
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is sometimes seen in members of the same family, but there's no evidence that it's
contagious. Instead, there may be a familial or genetic propensity.
INFORMATION extracted on March 25 2009 from CDC.GOV [A1] Readers Ask: A virus linked to chronic fatigue
syndrome, New York Times.com, October 13, 2009 [A2] Retrovirus XMRV and Hope for Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome? Empowher.com, October 13, 2009 [A3] Scientists finally zero in on a cause for chronic fatigue
syndrome, nydailynews.com, October 13, 2009 [A4] Lombardi VC. Et al, Detection of an Infectious Retrovirus,
XMRV, in Blood Cells of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Science. 2009 Oct 8. 2009
Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Researchers from Whittemore Peterson Institute, Reno, NV, identified DNA from a human gammaretrovirus,
xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV), in 68 of 101 patients. Scientists are hopeful that a cause
has finally been discovered for the chronic fatigue syndrome. In most cases, retroviruses are transmitted sexually,
vertically (mother to fetus), and by blood transfusion and not by air or droplet. Many infections can come from
exposures between great-great-grandparents and maintained for generations as latent infections, or as infections
from early experiences of any sexual partner in a chain of partners. And it is known that people with low amounts of
circulating virus are not as infectious as people with high levels of virus in the blood. Recently, XMRV retrovirus is
found in many patients suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome. Scientists do not have sufficient data to judge how
infectious it might be, and if infection with the XMRV virus actually causes illness. However, if XMRV is linked to
chronic fatigue Syndrome, certain antiviral drugs may help the patients.
In the study, 95% of chronic fatigue syndrome patients showed XMRV antibodies, and 4% of the healthy controls.
Elsewhere, 67% of chronic fatigue syndrome patients had XMRV. So did 3.7% of the controls. This suggests that not
everyone with chronic fatigue syndrome has XMRV, and maybe some healthy people also carry this retrovirus.
What does it mean? Is it a cause-effect relationship or just a correlation?
xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV), in 68 of 101 patients. Scientists are hopeful that a cause
has finally been discovered for the chronic fatigue syndrome. In most cases, retroviruses are transmitted sexually,
vertically (mother to fetus), and by blood transfusion and not by air or droplet. Many infections can come from
exposures between great-great-grandparents and maintained for generations as latent infections, or as infections
from early experiences of any sexual partner in a chain of partners. And it is known that people with low amounts of
circulating virus are not as infectious as people with high levels of virus in the blood. Recently, XMRV retrovirus is
found in many patients suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome. Scientists do not have sufficient data to judge how
infectious it might be, and if infection with the XMRV virus actually causes illness. However, if XMRV is linked to
chronic fatigue Syndrome, certain antiviral drugs may help the patients.
In the study, 95% of chronic fatigue syndrome patients showed XMRV antibodies, and 4% of the healthy controls.
Elsewhere, 67% of chronic fatigue syndrome patients had XMRV. So did 3.7% of the controls. This suggests that not
everyone with chronic fatigue syndrome has XMRV, and maybe some healthy people also carry this retrovirus.
What does it mean? Is it a cause-effect relationship or just a correlation?