Saturday 26 July 2008

What's in a name?

The general public don't know much about CFS, and what they think they do know is often wrong. For instance, often CFS gets confused with fatigue.

I think part of the confusion about CFS is because of all its names. Let's have a look at those names. Here are the names I've heard of:

· Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
· Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS)
· Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)
· Post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS).

CFS, CFIDS, and ME are used interchangably, as far as I know. In the States, it seems like it tends to be called CFS and CFIDS. In the UK it seems like it tends to be called ME. And in Australia, it tends to be called CFS.

PVFS is what it's called when the condition has lasted for less than six months. After six months, it's called CFS, CFIDS, or ME.

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a related condition. People with CFS can have fibromyalgia as well (and vice versa). The way I understand it, the two illnesses have very similar symptoms. "Fibromyalgia" means pain in the fibrous tissues in the body. Accordingly, the main symptom of fibromyalgia is musculoskeletal pain; whereas in CFS, fatigue is the main symptom. (My doctor says I have a bit of both... lucky me!)

So, why does one condition have so many names? I think it's because none of them are accurate. Since fatigue is the main symptom of CFS, it made sense to name it so, at the time. The problem is that people who don't have CFS don't realise there are other symptoms (cognitive problems, widespread pain, dysfunctional sleep, balance problems, light sensitivity, gastrointestinal problems, and the list goes on). As a result, often, people with CFS don't get much sympathy; because people think that simply being "tired" can't be that bad.

That's why the name "myalgic encephalomyelitis" is more popular in some places. It's supposed to be a more accurate name, with "myalgia" meaning pain in the muscles, and "encephalomyelitis" meaning an inflammation of the brain and spinal chord, usually caused by viral bacterial, fungal or parasitic agents.

The problem with the name "myalgic encephalomyelitis" is that it isn't accurate either. Doctors around the world don't agree on what the cause of CFS is. Some say it's brought on by the initial virus that some CFS patients can trace the beginning of their symptoms to. But CFS doesn't always begin with a virus. In some people, the symptoms just gradually appear. That means the name post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) isn't accurate either. I think the root of the problem in naming CFS is that the condition is poorly understood.

What about CFIDS? Well, the name CFIDS (chronic fatigue and immune deficiency syndrome) came about because CFS is linked to changes in the body's immune system. To me, CFIDS seems like the most suitable name for the condition, but for the sake of clarity, I stick to CFS since this is the term most doctors use in Australia.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Do you know how to select supplements from thousands of products? Do you know the 14 rules for selecting supplement?
If you want to know, e-mail: zazhzh@yahoo.com.au or call Zane on 0434282361 in Melbourne

Anonymous said...

My doctor selects my supplements for me. ;) Thanks, though!