Get Informed. Get Diagnosed. Get Help. CFS Affects More Than 1 Million Americans--80% of Whom Have Not Been Diagnosed
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
CFS is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest. CFS may be worsened by physical or mental activity. Persons with 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.
The cause or causes of CFS have not been identified. No specific diagnostic tests are available. Moreover, since many illnesses have incapacitating fatigue as a symptom, care must be taken to exclude other known and often treatable conditions before a diagnosis of CFS is made.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created the National Center for Health Marketing (NCHM). NCHM has launched a Web site, www.cdc.gov/cfs, with up-to-date information on CFS to provide easy to understand, downloadable education tools for patients, their families and health care professionals. By visiting the Web site, patients and caregivers can learn basic facts about CFS, possible causes, "how to talk to you doctor" and stay abreast on new knowledge and publications.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are committed to improving awareness about chronic fatigue syndrome and provide up-to-date educational resources on the illness. CFS is a public health concern because:
- CFS affects more than 1 million Americans.
- Less than 20% of Americans with CFS have been diagnosed.
- CFS can be as debilitating as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and similar chronic conditions.
- The annual economic impact of CFS in the United States is $9.1 billion in lost wages and earnings alone, not including health care costs or disability benefits.
Click this link to find a support group in the United States.
To learn more about how CDC has reorganized to face 21st century health threats, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/about/news/2006_10/reorg_facts.htm
Published by Susan Croes
Susan Croes, MBA & MA. ED., is a Senior Instructional Designer, Technical Writer, and Copywriter. She specializes in courseware design and development, technical writing, and copywriting. View profile
- Family Life: Having to Deal with Children Who Have Been Diagnosed with ADHDHaving to deal with children who have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder along with their parents every day in my line of work (pharmacy) I decided to observe the people around me and their family lives.
- One in Four Diagnosed with Depression Are MisdiagnosedOne in four people who are diagnosed as being depressed are simply reacting normally to stressful events such as divorce or job loss, according to new research.
Living with ALS: Diagnosed at 22 Years OldIn 2005, my best friend Holly was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Holly was a regular 22 year old with hopes, dreams and goals for the future. However,...- When Someone You Love is Diagnosed with CancerA Cancer diagnosis affects everyone who loves the person diagnosed.
Should Toddlers or Preschoolers Be Diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar Disor...The death of four year old Rebecca Riley from an overdose of ADHD medicine raises the question: how young is too young for a diagnosis of serious mental conditions? Rebecca was...
- How to Talk to a Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patient
- How to Help a Friend Who's Been Diagnosed with Cancer
- Advice for Those Newly Diagnosed with Diabetes
- Diabetes and the Newly Diagnosed Patient
- Lifestyle Guide for Newly Diagnosed Diabetic
- Getting a Thyroid Condition Diagnosed
- What to Say When a Friend's Child is Diagnosed With a Disbability?