It is understandable that many people have not heard of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) because it is a disease of many names. Some people call it Tapanui Flu, some Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome, maybe Yuppie Flu, or Chronic Fatigue Immune dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), or even Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), just to name a few.
CFS is not a new disease. Illnesses of a similar description have been recorded in medical literature since 1930s. There are also reports of the symptoms dating back several centuries. It is thought that both Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale may have had CFS (May 12 is Florence Nightingale’s birthday that’s why it was chosen as CFS Awareness Day). According to the Associated New Zealand ME Society(ANZMES) there are estimated to be 20000 sufferers in New Zealand (at 3-4 per thousand with an estimate of NZ population at 5 million), that is more than have Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Diagnosis of CFS is difficult as the medical profession still argue over its existence. However the following symptoms have been suggested to doctors in the US by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases as a method of diagnosis:
- Unexplained or relapsing fatigue of new or definite onset that is not due to ongoing exertion. This can not be relieved by rest, and causes a substantial reduction in previous levels of activity.
- Four or more of the following are concurrently present for six months or more:
- Impaired memory or concentration severe enough to hamper work or other activity.
- Sore throat.
- Tender lymph nodes.
- Muscle pain.
- Multi joint pain without swelling or redness.
- New headaches.
- Unrefreshing sleep.
- Post exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours.
A person with CFS finds it very difficult to live a normal functional life. Sufferers must slow the pace of their lives and avoid, or reduce, both physically and psychologically stressful situations or the symptoms will worsen.
The degree of disability varies. Some people can continue to perform both in the home and at work. Often work becomes impossible and the sufferer is confined to bed. Even the most simple tasks can become too much. A trip to the doctor can end with days in bed to recover. For some, CFS can begin after catching the flu, bronchitis, hepatitis, a stomach bug or glandular fever. Others may develop the symptoms gradually over a long period.
The illness can last for years but the symptoms are usually worse in the first year or two. They then stabilise and can continue chronically, or the sufferer can improve, but may experience several relapses.
There is no evidence that CFS is contagious in anyway.
The problem for people with CFS is that they do not look sick, so it is possible that others, including the doctor, may not believe the person is ill. This only adds to the problems of the sufferer as they battle for recognition of their ailment and eligibility for the sickness benefit.
CFS knows no boundaries, all ages, all groups, and both sexes, are susceptible, but for some reason, as yet unknown, women under 45 are more likely to succumb. The illness has been blamed on depression, but depression is usually a result of CFS rather than the cause. Researchers have discovered that CFS results from a dysfunction of the immune system. There is evidence to suggest that CFS may be due to viruses such as herpesvirus, enteroviruses and, retroviruses. Some people have found that exposure to certain chemicals or even food causes their symptoms to worsen so an environmental or dietary change must be undertaken.
There is currently no cure, but research continues around the world and here in New Zealand, Dr Mike Holmes of Otago University Micro Biology Department is trying to find the cause of CFS and develop a diagnostic blood test to detect its presence.
