Chronic Fatigue
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Posted by Judy Arbique Aug 28, 2007 |
People suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome face medical resistance in classifying their signs and symptoms into a disease condition.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released studies that link chronic fatigue syndrome to genetic mutations and abnormalities in gene expression that affect important phylsiological processes.
Chronic fatigue syndrome has been associated with a number of causes:
- genetic predisposition,
- exposure to microbial agents,
- exposure to toxins,
- exposure to other physical and emotional traumas.
Onset of chronic fatigue has been associated with:
- Lyme disease,
- Q fever
- Ross River virus
- parvovirus
- mononucleosis other infection diseases
Symptoms include six months of unexplained fatigue and 4 of the following 8 symptoms:
- impaired memory and concentration,
- sore throat,
- tender lymph nodes,
- muscle pain,
- joint pain,
- headaches,
- disturbed sleeping patterns,
- post-exercise malaise.
A telephone survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. found that 1/40 adults aged 18-59 years of age met the current diagnostic criteria. The current estimate is 6-10 times higher than previously reported cases.
Source:
D. Tuller. Study Links Syndrome to Genetic Mutations. The Chronicle Herald. Saturday, July 21, 2007.