ANY OF THEM, THROW THEM AWAY OR RETURN THEM TO WALMART FOR A REFUND. A NEW STUDY IS SHEDDING LIGHT ON HOW CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AFFECTS PEOPLE’S LIVES. KOAT UNM HEALTH EXPERT DOCTOR ASH SPOKE ABOUT THIS EARLIER WITH DARLENE MELENDEZ CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, ALSO CALLED M.E OR CFS, IS A LONG TERM ILLNESS THAT CAUSES EXTREME TIREDNESS THAT DOESN’T GET BETTER WITH REST. PEOPLE MAY ALSO HAVE PAIN, TROUBLE THINKING CLEARLY, AND FEEL WORSE AFTER EVEN SMALL ACTIVITIES. IT AFFECTS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE, BUT MANY CASES JUST AREN’T DIAGNOSED. IN THIS STUDY, RESEARCHERS LOOKED AT MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE WHO LIVED WITH THIS ILLNESS. THEY FOUND THAT IT CAN AFFECT EVERY PART OF A PERSON’S LIFE, NOT JUST THEIR HEALTH, BUT THEIR WORK, RELATIONSHIPS AND DAILY ROUTINES. IS THIS CONSIDERED A REAL MEDICAL CONDITION? GOOD QUESTION. FOR MANY YEARS, PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS ALL IN THE HEAD. BUT NOW WE KNOW IT’S A REAL BIOLOGICAL DISEASE. IT AFFECTS BOTH THE BRAIN AND THE BODY. BUT WE STILL DON’T HAVE A SIMPLE TEST TO DIAGNOSE IT. SO WHAT CHALLENGES DO PATIENTS FACE? THE STUDY FOUND FOUR BIG THEMES LACK OF SUPPORT FROM HEALTH SYSTEMS NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY DOCTORS, SOCIAL ISOLATION AND HEAVY PERSONAL BURDEN. PEOPLE OFTEN STRUGGLE TO GET DISABILITY SUPPORT OR INSURANCE COVERAGE. THEY MAY ALSO LOSE FRIENDSHIPS BECAUSE THEY JUST FEEL TOO SICK TO STAY ACTIVE. SO HOW DOES THIS AFFECT MENTAL HEALTH? WHEN SOMEONE IS IN CONSTANT PAIN, FEELS ISOLATED, AND CAN’T GET HELP, IT CAN LEAD TO DEEP SADNESS AND HOPELESSNESS. SOME REPOR
Study says chronic fatigue syndrome is often misunderstood
KOAT health expert Dr. Ash says that for millions, CFS is a real, debilitating disease.
Can someone get medical help for their constant pain and lack of energy if the provider thinks they aren’t sick at all? For many years, chronic fatigue syndrome was derided by medical professionals and otherwise sympathetic people, but KOAT health expert Abinash Achrekar, M.D., better known as Dr. Ash, says CFS is now recognized by doctors as a real, if somewhat mysterious disease. Well, maybe not all doctors.A new study of more than 500 people living with CFS found that skepticism and isolation are very much a part of the suffering that comes with this long-term disease, for which there is no simple diagnostic test or cure. “They found that CFS can affect every part of a person’s life — their work, their relationships, and their daily routines,” Dr. Ash said. “The study found four big themes: lack of support from health systems, not being taken seriously by doctors, social isolation, and heavy personal burden. People often struggle to get disability support or insurance coverage. They may also lose friendships because they feel too sick to stay active.”It is not surprising, then, that without compassionate care, CFS can lead to serious mental health problems, Dr. Ash said.”When someone is in constant pain, feels isolated, and can’t get help, it can lead to deep sadness and hopelessness,” Dr. Ash said. “Some reports even show a higher risk of suicide.”
Can someone get medical help for their constant pain and lack of energy if the provider thinks they aren’t sick at all?
For many years, chronic fatigue syndrome was derided by medical professionals and otherwise sympathetic people, but KOAT health expert Abinash Achrekar, M.D., better known as Dr. Ash, says CFS is now recognized by doctors as a real, if somewhat mysterious disease.
Well, maybe not all doctors.
A new study of more than 500 people living with CFS found that skepticism and isolation are very much a part of the suffering that comes with this long-term disease, for which there is no simple diagnostic test or cure.
“They found that CFS can affect every part of a person’s life — their work, their relationships, and their daily routines,” Dr. Ash said. “The study found four big themes: lack of support from health systems, not being taken seriously by doctors, social isolation, and heavy personal burden. People often struggle to get disability support or insurance coverage. They may also lose friendships because they feel too sick to stay active.”
It is not surprising, then, that without compassionate care, CFS can lead to serious mental health problems, Dr. Ash said.
“When someone is in constant pain, feels isolated, and can’t get help, it can lead to deep sadness and hopelessness,” Dr. Ash said. “Some reports even show a higher risk of suicide.”
