Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Facts: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is
"I split my clinical time between the two illnesses, and I can tell you if I had
to choose between the two illnesses I would rather have H.I.V." Dr. Nancy Klimas 2009
Hot Point
Poorly Studied - Despite the million sufferers in the US, and approximately
25% rates of disability and high economic costs chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
ranked dead bottom in 2010 amongst the approximately 200 diseases and conditions
the NIH funds
A Serious Disease - Center For Disease Control (CDC) studies
indicate that chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients as a group have disability
rates similar to people with multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, heart
disease and other serious diseases.
Fairly Common - The Centers For Disease Control estimates
from 1-4 million people in the U.S. have chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): the Basics
Greatly Under Diagnosed - The Centers for Disease Control
estimates approximately 80% of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) cases in the U.S.
go undiagnosed.
Dig Deeper! The definition
controversy
Costly - The average annual costs per family, including
financial losses due to unemployment, are about $25,000 a year. Overall chronic
fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is believed to cost the US economy at least $25 billion
dollars a year and perhaps much more.
Currently Defined Using Symptoms and by ruling out other
diseases. Besides exhaustion or fatigue chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients
must display a distinct set of symptoms in order to have CFS.
Dig Deeper! Check out ME/CFS Symptoms
Complex - Research studies indicate chronic fatigue
syndrome (ME/CFS) affects many different systems across the body.
A Chronic Disorder - While some patients do recover, there
is no cure for CFS, and many remain ill.
Dig Deeper! Check out the Treatment
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The Phoenix Rising website is compiled by a layman. It is not a substitute for a
physician and is for informational uses only. Please discuss any treatments in these
pages with your physician.