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General Studies 4 >> Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Source-TheIndianExpress

Context

A petition was filed by a Bangalore-based woman, stating to stop her Noida-based friend, who has been suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, since 2014.

The petition stated that his condition has deteriorated over the past eight years, making him “completely bed-bound & just able to walk a few steps inside the home.”

 

Disease

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis(ME/CFS), which is a serious & debilitating disease that affects the nervous system, immune system and the body’s production of energy.
  • Experts have suggested that the term can trivialize the severity of the illness.
  • The US institute of Medicine proposed the term systemic exertion intolerance disease(SEID).
  • The causes of CFS are unknown. The potential triggers would include viral or bacterial infection, hormonal imbalances & genetic predispositions.
  • There is no specific test for the disease, doctors have to rely on medical examinations, and blood & urine tests.
  • ME/CFS can affect anyone, from children to adults of all ages.
  • According to the CDC-Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, it's more common in women & people between 40 & 60 years old.
 

Symptoms

  • The biggest telltale symptom is a significantly lowered ability to do activities that were performed before the illness.
  • This condition is accompanied by at least 6 months of debilitating fatigue that is more severe than everyday feelings of tiredness.
  • This fatigue is not relieved by sleep or rest and exercising usually makes the symptoms worse, according to the UK’s National Health Services(NHS).
  • Other symptoms include trouble sleeping, difficulty in thinking, memory retention and concentration, dizziness/light headaches, muscle pain, joint ache, flu-like symptoms, tender lymph nodes and digestive issues.
  • As per New York State Health Department, the most recognizable symptom is post-exertional malaise(PEM).
  • Patients often described it as a crash in physical/mental energy following even minor activities like grocery shopping or brushing teeth.
 

Treatment

  • There is no specific cure or approved treatment, till now.
  • There are doctors' recommended ways to deal with the symptoms.
  • To manage PEM, patients are recommended ‘pacing’, in which patients learn to balance rest & activity to prevent crashes caused by exertion.
  • The CDC earlier recommended cognitive behaviour therapy(CBT) and graded exercise therapy(GET), which uses physical activity as a treatment for ME/CFS.
  • After concern over the effectiveness and possibility of harm, the CDC stopped recommending these treatments.

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