| Oxidative stress in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
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International news
Wednesday 8 February 2012
From About.com's Adrienne Dellwo:
 Oxidative Stress in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com Guide
February 2, 2012
A new study supports the theory that chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) may be related to oxidative stress, and that oxidative stress may play a key causative role in the illness.
This was the third study in a series looking at several possible components of ME/CFS:
- Ventricular lactate
- Cortical glutathione
- Oxidative stress
The earlier research had uncovered significantly elevated levels of ventricular cerebrospinal-fluid lactate in ME/CFS, as compared to generalized anxiety disorder and healthy controls. In this study, researchers wanted to see if the high lactate levels could be caused by increased oxidative stress, low blood flow to the brain, and/or mitochondrial dysfunction (which involves the building blocks of cells.)
They say results showed significantly high ventricular lactate in participants with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. They also report an insignificant difference in measures of cortical glutathione and no difference in markers of mitochondrial function.
In addition, ventricular lactate was highest and cortical glutathione was lowest in the most severe cases.
Researchers concluded that this study supports the pathphysiological model of ME/CFS with oxidative stress as a possible underlying cause.
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| Concern over cuts to carers' support |
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International news
Tuesday 7 February 2012
From UK publication This is Somerset:
Jennie (right) and Steph Smith |
Concern over cuts to carers' support
Thursday, February 02, 2012
A Frome mother and daughter have expressed concern over plans by Somerset County Council to cut the number of youth workers that support young carers.
Jennie Smith, of New Buildings Lane, has fibromyalgia, ME and a spinal condition, which means she struggles to walk without sticks and is often left exhausted.
Her daughter Steph, 12, is her carer and supports her mother in nearly all aspects of her life, including dressing, cooking and cleaning.
To give her a break, Steph spends one evening a month at a support group with other young carers at Frome Youth Centre.
Under the financial review the council has outlined several options to streamline the Young Carers Support Service, which could see the loss of up to four members of staff and asking volunteers to take on more roles in their place. Steph and her mother fear it will mean that the service can no longer provide the same high standard of support.
The cuts could save the council about £70,000.
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| Trapped in her room for over 1000 days |
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South Australian news
Monday 6 February 2012
From South Australia's Sunday Mail:
Trapped in her room, Amelia
can't face the world.
(Picture: James Elsby) |
Trapped in her room for over 1000 days
Elisa Black
From: Sunday Mail (SA)
February 04, 2012 10:00pm
MINUTE after minute, hour after hour, for more than 1000 interminable days, Amelia Hill has watched the world go by from behind a plate of glass.
The 36-year-old's life has narrowed to this tiny space, a room that could be crossed in five long strides - if she could manage them.
A day bed sits in front of the couch, for the days when she is just too weak to sit.
A kitchenette lies at the other end; on a good day, she can cut carrots at the small bench. On a bad day, she can barely draw breath.
The shelves are empty of books, the kitchen doesn't hold any of her favourite foods, the television is almost always off.
Some people have accused her of faking an illness, of being crazy, and have told her to pull herself together.
Others assume she is "allergic to the 21st century", and wonder why she doesn't just leave her granny flat in Stirling and move to Kangaroo Island or some other rural idyll.
If only it were that simple.
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| EC mom wins suit against Shoprite |
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International news
Monday 6 February 2012
From South Africa's DispatchOnline:
 EC mom wins suit against Shoprite
02 February 2012
Kathryn Kimberley
An Eastern Cape woman has successfully sued Shoprite Checkers after a box of frozen vegetables fell on her during a shopping trip, injuring her neck and shoulder.
On Tuesday, the Port Elizabeth High Court awarded 46-year-old Delene Minnie Adams more than R100 000 in compensation. She was originally suing for R300 000. It was in June 2008 when a tower of boxes containing frozen vegetables fell over in one of the aisles in Shoprite, Cleary Park, striking the PE mom on her right shoulder.
As a result, she sustained soft tissue injuries and whiplash.
Adams alleged that Shoprite staff had acted negligently when they failed to pack the vegetables away.
She said staff should have warned shoppers to be cautious around the unsteady stack of boxes.
Expert doctors testified that Adams had sustained bruised neck muscles, fibromyalgia (tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues), reduced movement of her right shoulder, neck and shoulder spasms, and pain in her right shoulder.
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| The case against the Whittemores and the importance to the neuro-immune disease community |
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International news
Sunday 5 February 2012
From Age of Autism:
 The Case Against the Whittemores and the Importance to the Neuro-Immune Disease Community
By Kent Heckenlively, Esq.
The Reno Gazette-Journal and the Las Vegas Review Journal are both reporting that Harvey and Annette Whittemore, founders of the Whittemore-Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Diseases at the University of Nevada/Reno have been sued by their former business partners for embezzlement in the amount of more than 40 million dollars. The articles can be accessed HERE.
This development may have an enormous impact on the ME/CFS community (myalgic encephelomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) and also end up being of great importance to the autism community.
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| The MusicWorks |
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South Australian news
Sunday 5 February 2012
 The MusicWorks – aka The Dynamic Day Gig – is a monthly event held at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel. It's organised by and for people with disabilities.
The next edition of The MusicWorks will be this Tuesday (7 December 2011) from 10:30am to 2pm.
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| National Welfare Rights Network |
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Australian news
Saturday 4 February 2012
From Australia's National Welfare Rights Network:
 National Welfare Rights Network
The National Welfare Rights Network (NWRN) provides free and independent information, advice and representation about Social Security law and its administration.
NWRN member organisations operate in all states and territories of Australia and consist of specialist community legal centres and services and individual advocates.
They are independent of Centrelink and all government departments.
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| Pulse abnormalities at rest and during tilt test could be highly indicative screen for ME/CFS |
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International news
Saturday 4 February 2012
From ProHealth:
 Pulse abnormalities at rest and during tilt test could be highly indicative screen for ME/CFS
ProHealth.com
January 30, 2012
Article:
Chronic fatigue syndrome and impaired peripheral pulse characteristics on orthostasis - a new potential diagnostic biomarker
– Source: Physiological Measurement, Jan 25, 2012
By John Allen, et al.
[Note: To read the full text of this article free, click here. The best-known sign of orthostatic intolerance involves symptoms (e.g., weakness, faintness) in an upright position that can be relieved by lying prone.]
Abstract:
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is frequently reported in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with orthostatic intolerance, a common symptom that can be objectively assessed.
The frequent finding of autonomic dysfunction and symptoms on standing has the potential to provide a diagnostic biomarker in chronic fatigue.
In this study we explored the clinical value of non-invasive optical multi-site photoplethysmography (PPG) technology to assess cardiovascular responses to standing. [PPG is a quick, low-cost measurement of changes in pulsed skin blood volume using a small light probe that is placed on the surface of the skin.]
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| Society seminar reminder |
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South Australian news
Friday 3 February 2012
 A reminder that the Society's first seminar for 2012 will be held next tomorrow (Saturday 4 February).
Here are the details:
| ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc |
| Seminar |
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Saturday
4 February,
1pm |
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Read more… |
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| Student hub for people with ME |
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International news
Thursday 2 February 2012
From UK publication the Carrick Gazette:
 Student hub for people with ME
Published on Monday 30 January 2012 17:19
At this time of year, many young people will be considering university options and many parents and guardians will be worrying about them leaving home for the first time.
Leaving home to go to university can be an exciting and challenging time – and, if the truth be told, a little bit scary, especially if you have a serious medical condition. Action for ME, the leading UK charity for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and their carers, has now set up a Student Hub section on its website www.actionforme.org.uk.
Read more… |
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