CFS/ME/PVFS/CFIDS

 

What is CFS/ME/PVFS/CFIDS?

 

An illness that is estimated to affect over 250,000 people in the UK is known by a number of different names: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS); Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME); Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), and Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) all describe a condition whose symptoms include severe and debilitating fatigue; muscle and joint pain; dizziness and clumsiness; impaired memory or concentration; an inability to sequence words and/or numbers; impaired balance, vision, hearing; disrupted sleeping patterns; fluctuating appetite; amongst others.

 

Symptoms are often different from one person to another but for many who are diagnosed with any one of theselabels, their lives can be changed drastically – family and social lives can become strained; people may become housebound or confined to bed for months or even years; working or schooling can become impossible.

 

What causes CFS/ME/PVFS/CFIDS?

 

The cause or causes of CFS/ME are not fully understood. It can happen gradually for no obvious reason but it typically occurs in a vulnerable individual, often at a time of stress, as a consequence of a viral or recurrent viral infection like polio, coxsackie and echo viruses. It is thought that secondary infection with another virus such as glandular fever, influenza, mumps, chickenpox, along with severe stress or excessive exercise may also increase the severity at onset.

 

It commonly affects people between the ages of 20 and 40 but doesn’t limit itself to people between these ages. In children, for instance, the commonest age it develops is 13-15, but it can develop at an earlier age too.

It is known that female sufferers outnumber males by three to one and again, the reasons for this are unknown.

 

Prognosis

 

Those who suffer from CFS/ME usually fall into 4 main groups:

 

• Those - a small percentage of people – who return to a normal state of health, although this can take a considerable length of time.
• The majority of people who continue to experience fluctuating states of health (often influenced by stressful situations, infections, operations, etc.)
• A small minority that remains severely affected.
• A few people who show continued deterioration (although this is unusual and may be the result of other non-related health factors).

 

Treatments for CFS/ME

 

There is no proven effective treatment for this illness at this time but there are a number of approaches that can help. Drugs are usually prescribed to relieve body systems - low doses of anti-depressants may relieve sleep disturbance and muscle pain.

 

Lifestyle changes, rest, reduced stress; dietary restrictions, nutritional supplementation and minimal aerobic exercise are also frequently recommended.

 

Some people have responded well to alternative or complementary treatment, especially acupuncture and homeopathy. Massage can help muscles and relax people; and counselling and hypnotherapy can also help people deal with and come to terms with their condition.

 

If you would like some advice or further information please contact us here at the Earlsdon Practice by completing the form on our contact page or call us on 02476 691100.