The status of and future research into ME/CFS |
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International news
Wednesday 23 April 2014
From Frontiers in Physiology (via the US National Library of Medicine):
The status of and future research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: the need of accurate diagnosis, objective assessment, and acknowledging biological and clinical subgroups
Frank N. M. Twisk
Abstract
Although Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are used interchangeably, the diagnostic criteria define two distinct clinical entities. Cognitive impairment, (muscle) weakness, circulatory disturbances, marked variability of symptoms, and, above all, post-exertional malaise: a long-lasting increase of symptoms after a minor exertion, are distinctive symptoms of ME.
This latter phenomenon separates ME, a neuro-immune illness, from chronic fatigue (syndrome), other disorders and deconditioning. The introduction of the label, but more importantly the diagnostic criteria for CFS have generated much confusion, mostly because chronic fatigue is a subjective and ambiguous notion.
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Charlie Ford's road to recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
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Australian news
Tuesday 22 April 2014
From Herald Sun newspaper the Bayside Leader:
Charlie Ford from
Sandringham has
recovered from
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
(Picture: Susan Windmiller
Source: News Limited)
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Charlie Ford’s road to recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Nicole Precel
Bayside Leader
April 20, 2014 12:00AM
TWO years ago Charlie Ford struggled to get out of bed.
The active Sandringham 20-year-old had been struck down with chronic fatigue syndrome when out skateboarding about three years ago – his body suddenly went into “meltdown”.
“I couldn’t stand, I couldn’t walk,” he said.
But now Mr Ford is going for 5km runs and says it’s due to a program developed in Brighton.
He came across Toby Morrison, who runs CFS Health Centre in Brighton, whose program helped Mr Ford take small steps towards recovery.
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Transcranial magnetic stimulation for Fibromyalgia |
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International news
Monday 21 April 2014
From About.com's Adrienne Dellwo:
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Fibromyalgia
By Adrienne Dellwo
April 4, 2014
Research Brief
New research shows that a non-invasive, non-drug procedure called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation may improve the quality of life of people with fibromyalgia.
Researchers measured quality of life, both mental and physical, as well as pain, mood and anxiety over 11 weeks of treatment. They also looked at changes in brain metabolism.
They say the quality of life improvement was mainly in emotional and social areas and there was no significant difference in the other symptoms. They also found evidence of increase in the right limbic metabolism.
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2014 IACFS/ME Conference summary by Dr. Komaroff |
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International news
Sunday 20 April 2014
From The CFIDS Association of America:
2014 IACFSME Summary by Dr. Komaroff
March 20-23, 2014 the IACFS/ME Biennial Conference, “Translating Science into Clinical Care”, was held in San Francisco. As is tradition, the IACFS/ME asked Dr. Komaroff to deliver a summary of the conference upon its conclusion.
In Dr. Komaroff’s review, the questions he saw addressed by many of the presentations were:
- In an illness defined exclusively by subjective symptoms, is there evidence of objective underlying biological abnormalities?
- Could those biological abnormalities theoretically explain the symptoms?
- Do the abnormalities in fact correlate with the symptoms?
In this video (synced audio and PowerPoint presentation), Dr. Komaroff revisits those questions as he breaks down a summary review of the conference.
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Treatment of Fibromyalgia by use of PEMF |
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International news
Saturday 19 April 2014
From Caribbean Media Vision's CMVLive:
Treatment of Fibromyalgia by Use of PEMF
Posted by: guestauthor
2014/04/11
Fibromyalgia is a pain processing disorder occurring due to abnormalities in how the central nervous system processes pain signals. It is typically characterized by chronic pain that is widespread in nature, fatigue and allodynia (heightened pain in response to touch). Moreover, patients suffering from this disorder are also likely to experience limb weakness, muscle twitches, palpitations, sleep disturbances among other complaints. Indeed, it is a disorder that leaves a patient with no choice but to seek for the most effective therapeutic options to treat the ongoing disease process as well as alleviate the symptoms. This is where PEMF [Pulsed electromagnetic field] fibromyalgia therapy comes in amidst other treatment modalities. Its effectiveness has been brought forth through clinical research studies with published results as evidence.
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Mark Craig a Volt from the blue for Black Caps |
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International news
Friday 18 April 2014
From New Zealand's Stuff.co.nz:
SHOCKER: Otago offspinner
Mark Craig has
received
a
shock call-up to the
New Zealand
test team
to
tour
West Indies.
(Photo: Photosport)
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Mark Craig a Volt from the blue for Black Caps
By Logan Savory
Last updated 05:05 16/04/2014
A few years back New Zealand test cricket bolter Mark Craig spent much of his day feeling as if he was going to pass out at any moment.
Craig suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, an illness that had him doing very little for 11 months.
His days were mainly spent sitting on the couch or lying in bed at his family home in Auckland after he was forced to return home from Dunedin, where he was studying and playing cricket.
At that point, playing cricket at any level was far from his mind, let alone the prospect of lining up in the pinnacle of the sport, a test match.
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92 Club: Bristol football fans to visit all 92 grounds for Invest In ME charity |
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International news
Thursday 17 April 2014
From UK newspaper The Bristol Post:
92 Club: Bristol football fans to visit all 92 grounds for Invest In ME charity
By The Bristol Post
Posted: April 14, 2014
FOUR football fans from Bristol are preparing to embark on a tour of all 92 football league grounds in 92 hours in aid of Invest In ME. Team leader Mike Harley, 31, will be accompanied on the challenge by his wife Cat, 31, and two friends, Raza Rivzi and Mike Ward, both 32.
The group was inspired to raise money for the ME research charity by a childhood friend, who has had the condition for several years. Money raised will go towards UK trials of the drug Rituximab.
A 2,600-mile route is due to be completed in 92 hours of driving, spread out over the course of six days. The clock will be stopped every night so that each club can be visited in daylight, raising maximum publicity for the charity.
Mr Harley, a recruitment consultant from Bedminster, said: "The idea is to reach the grounds at a time where we can give out information and maximise on raising the profile of ME, the need for research into the illness and the Invest In ME charity.
"What's more important is to raise awareness of new treatments, rather than to break any records".
He added: "It's going to be a gruelling challenge but, as football fans, it's one we're all looking forward to."
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