Study Shows There are Many Types of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 by: Alex Howard
Tags: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) Chronic fatigue syndrome is defined as a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue of six months or longer duration that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. Persons with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) most often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before the onset of illness. In addition to these key defining characteristics, patients report various nonspecific symptoms, including weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, insomnia and post-exertional fatigue lasting more than 24 hours. In some cases, CFS can persist for years. Now geneticists have identified a biological basis for different subtypes of chronic fatigue syndrome.

The researchers from St George`s Hospital, University of London hope their findings may lead to a blood test which can distinguish between the forms. Campaigners and many of those who suffer with the illness hope that this will help to counter the general misconception that this illness is purely down to an emotional problem.

The St George`s study looked at 55 patients from the US and UK with the condition, and carried out a genetic analysis of them and 75 healthy blood donors.

Chronic fatigue currently affects around one in 200 people. Here are 5 types of Fatigue:

1. Post-Exertional Fatigue: feeling extreme weakness, discomfort, or sick after minimal amounts of activity. This points towards mitochondrial malfunction in particular. If a person gets completely wiped out after emotional or mental stress NOT physical activity, it is generally not this type.

2. Wired Fatigue: feeling of over-stimulation with extremely low energy. This is a major sign of maladaptive stress, making this person a primary candidate for psychology work.

3. Brain Fog Fatigue: mental impairment with confusion, disorientation, and inability to function in daily activities.

Some people say that their mental fatigue is far more serious than their physical fatigue. They generally also have back and neck pain too. This sub group is likely to have chronic neurotoxins such as microbes and metals or chemicals that have entered into and affected the nervous system.

If this symptom also occurs with post exertional fatigue and the person has a lot of major intolerances, these symptoms are more likely secondary to these imbalances and not a problem in itself.

4. Flu-Like Fatigue: feeling weak with flu symptoms, such as a high temperature and sore glands.

5. Energy Fatigue: feeling of heaviness and immobilization without energy to do anything for long periods of time. This is generally experienced in the first 3 months of illness or during a temporary relapse. Some people however are this badly affected all the time and remain mostly bed bound and definitely housebound.

http://www.ei-resource.org/news/chronic-fati...

www.blisstree.com/geneticsandhealth/cfs-and-...

health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/0002219/47/ - 37k

About the author

Alex Howard is author of "WHY ME? My Journey from M.E. to Health and Happiness" and founder of The Optimum Health Clinic, an award winning clinic specialising in M.E./C.F.S./Fibromyalgia based in Harley Street Clinic, London, UK. The clinic has treated over 5,000 patients with M.E./Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia in over twenty-five countries around the world, and is currently running a two year clinical trial in conjunction with two top universities. A free information pack, including a 75 documentary about the clinic and its work, can be ordered from www.FreedomFromME.co.uk