Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is one of several medically contested illnesses . Because CFS lacks solid diagnostic categories, it is often associated with a variety of negative social outcomes – including the denial of personal experiences.
Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome a real illness?
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-term illness with a wide range of symptoms . The most common symptom is extreme tiredness. CFS is also known as ME, which stands for myalgic encephalomyelitis. Many people refer to the condition as CFS/ME.
Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome a diagnosis of exclusion?
Diagnosis of CFS is primarily by exclusion with no definitive laboratory test or physical findings. Medical research continues to examine the many possible etiologic agents for CFS (infectious, immunologic, neurologic, and psychiatric), but the answer remains elusive.
What are five examples of contested illnesses?
Contested illnesses include conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS, also called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME), fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivities, and chronic Lyme disease .
Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome psychosomatic?
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is one illness that nurses may encounter that causes profound life changes for many sufferers. This controversial illness is sometimes presented as a psychosomatic disorder that requires psychological treatment .
What doctor can diagnose CFS?
Doctors might refer patients to see a specialist, like a neurologist, rheumatologist , or a sleep specialist, to check for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. These specialists might find other conditions that could be treated. Patients can have other conditions and still have ME/CFS.
How do you evaluate CFS?
Persons with chronic fatigue should have an evaluation, including history, physical examination , and initial laboratory testing (i.e., urinalysis; complete blood count; comprehensive metabolic panel; and measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone, C-reactive protein, and phosphorus levels).
Is Fibromyalgia a contested illness?
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a contested illness with ill-defined boundaries . There is no clearly defined cut-point that separates FM from non-FM. Diagnosis of FM has been faced with several challenges that occur, including patients’ health care-seeking behavior, symptoms recognition, and FM labeling by physicians.
What factors play significant roles in terms of constructing the illness experience?
In terms of constructing the illness experience, culture and individual personality both play a significant role. For some people, a long-term illness can have the effect of making their world smaller, more defined by the illness than anything else.
What is the meaning of contested illness?
Contested illnesses are those that are questioned or questionable by some medical professionals . Disorders like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome may be either true illnesses or only in the patients’ heads, depending on the opinion of the medical professional.
What does a CFS crash feel like?
Some people with CFS/ME “crash” – experience a period of immobilizing physical and/or mental fatigue. This often happens when a person is “overloaded” physically, mentally or emotionally. Some people with CFS have virus-like symptoms. They feel “unwell” and feverish , have a sore throat and swollen lymph glands.
Does me shorten life expectancy?
It should be noted that individuals with ME and CFS are reportedly dying at a younger age compared to the overall population . However, only all-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality reached statistical significance. The all-cause mean age of death for this sample was 55.9 years.
Does CFS ever go away?
Most people with CFS will improve over time , especially with treatment, although some people do not make a full recovery. It’s also likely there will be periods when your symptoms get better or worse. Children and young people with CFS/ME are more likely to recover fully.
What are the 3 types of fatigue?
- Transient fatigue is acute fatigue brought on by extreme sleep restriction or extended hours awake within 1 or 2 days.
- Cumulative fatigue is fatigue brought on by repeated mild sleep restriction or extended hours awake across a series of days.
What are the two criteria that must be met for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome include severe fatigue lasting longer than six months, as well as presence of at least four of the following physical symptoms: postexertional malaise; unrefreshing sleep; impaired memory or concentration; muscle pain; polyarthralgia; ...
What vitamins should I take for chronic fatigue syndrome?
- Energy: Carnitine, CoQ10, creatine, D-ribose, magnesium malate, NADH, SAM-e, vitamin B12.
- Immune function: Carnitine, CoQ10, DHEA, lysine, Rhodiola, theanine.
- Pain and tenderness: Lysine. ...
- Sleep: Melatonin, valerian.
- Mood problems: DHEA, folic acid, lysine.
