Get your own Free Home Page
So not only are we taking a lot out of the system, we are no longer contributing. In 1992, 3.3 million dollars were allocated for CFS research. With the number of people afflicted believed to be in the millions, it would be fare to say that The Centers for Disease Control and The National Institute of Health are not receiving their fare share of the research grants for studying CFS.
Because each patient is different, the range and scope of different maladies that a person with CFS may suffer with is immense. Research has suggested that there is a connection with many of the symptoms one may suffer and Cytokine activity. Cytokines are normal chemicals that everybody's body produces in response to a viral or bacterial infection. These chemicals are what make you feel ill when you get the flu or other viruses, rather than the virus itself. Many researchers believe that CFS begins with an infection, thusly, certain Cytokines would play a big role in the constant symptoms. These symptoms include, fatigue, which is usually one of the most prevalent and intense problems that can keep a patient virtually bed-ridden for months perhaps years and force him/her to rely on others for even the most simplistic or our everyday's needs. And while fatigue is one of the main symptoms, there are many others, including noted sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties that may include forgetfulness and problems figuring out simple problems. People describe this feeling like being in a cognitive fog. Other maladies may include sore throats, headaches, low-grade fevers, chemical sensitivities, light and sound sensitivities, balance and coordination difficulties, blurred vision, muscle and joint pain and weakness. Some people may experience anxiety symptoms. Much like other diseases, CFS effects people to different degrees. And because the cause has yet to be discovered, the treatments so far only address specific symptoms, rather than the underlying disease.
So, many physicians are still discounting the validity of this devastating disease. Many doctors need to take a step back when presented with a patient who describes CFS-like symptoms, and not discount them as having a psychiatric disorder or needing a vacation. While it's true that there is currently no specific blood test for CFS and it's diagnosis is one of exclusion, doctors should be reminded that AIDS and even Multiple Sclerosis met with great resistance until further research gave credence to these also devastating diseases. Every disease does not always turn out to be "textbook medicine." In a recent interview, Dr. Ronald Robinson, M.D., from Mineola, New York, a specialist in treating CFS patients said, "It could be a contagious disease in the beginning...and it doesn't allow people to take care of their daily routines in a normal fashion." Thankfully, there are a handful of doctors out there, like Dr. Robinson, who really understand and are sympathetic to the needs of their patients.
Get your own Free Home Page