Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is one of the more difficult medical conditions to diagnose. It has a long list of symptoms that are common to other diseases or illnesses and those symptoms may wane or get progressively worse in no particular pattern.
While no root cause has yet been identified for CFS, recent research indicates CFS may be caused by a rare mouse-related virus - murine leukemia virus (MLV). MLV, which causes cancer in mice, was found in the blood of 86 percent of tested CFS patients. In comparison, only seven percent of healthy blood donors had MLV in their samples. Scientists admit these findings are just the beginning - further research is needed to determine if an actual link between MLV and CFS exists.
Currently there is no one diagnostic test or cure for CFS. Doctors diagnose CFS by ruling out other medical issues. In general, to be diagnosed with CFS you have to experience persistent and extreme fatigue for at least six months and have at least four of the following eight symptoms:
- Memory or concentration difficulties
- Sore throat
- Unexplained muscle pain
- Pain in the joints
- Headaches
- Sleep disturbances
- Sore and enlarged lymph nodes in your neck or armpits
- Extreme exhaustion lasting more than 24 hours after physical or mental exercise
Women are most often diagnosed with CFS but research has not proven that sex is a risk factor. Instead, women may be more likely to report CFS symptoms to a doctor. People of all ages can get CFS but it is most common in people in their 40s and 50s.
If you are diagnosed with CFS your doctor’s chosen treatment will depend on the relieving the symptoms you are experiencing. Treatments generally consist of a combination of steps that help patients moderate their daily activity and exercise, address sleep problems and persistent pain, reduce stress, treat depression, relieve allergy-like symptoms and address low blood pressure or nervous system disorders.
In general, see your doctor if you are experiencing persistent or excessive fatigue.
Psoriatic arthritis was brought to very public attention with the announcement last week that PGA golfer Phil Mickelson was recently diagnosed with the autoimmune disease - a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own joints and tendons. This “attack” can cause redness, stiffness, warmth, inflammation and pain in the joints of your body. The pain may be limited to one or both sides of your body, cause pain in your fingertips, feet or spine, or may be a more debilitating version - destructive arthritis - that can result in severe pain, destroy bones and disable a person. Psoriatic arthritis may also lead to dactylitis - swelling of the fingers and toes.
Some people with psoriatic arthritis have psoriasis - an autoimmune inflammatory skin disease that results in scaly patches of skin on the scalp, ears, elbows, or buttocks. Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis can flare - causing greater discomfort - or go into remission. If someone suffers from both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the flares of the skin condition can coincide with flares in the arthritic condition. In both cases, stress can exacerbate the condition.
Who’s at risk? Psoriatic arthritis affects both men and women equally. Those with psoriasis are more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis and genetics can play a role. The disease is also most likely to strike those between the ages of 30 and 50.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, see your doctor. Tests to determine your condition may include x-rays, a joint fluid test, a blood sed rate test and a blood rheumatoid factor test.
While no cure currently exists, psoriatic arthritis can, in most cases, be managed with medications that control inflammation. Medications used to treat the condition include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Motrin), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (Azulfidine), immunosuppressant medications (Imuran, Neoral, Arava) or TNF-alpha inhibitors (Enbrel).
Risks associated with the psoriatic arthritis include diabetes and heart disease. There are also some risks associated with the medications used to treat the disease because the drugs - used to block tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - can put one at risk for infections.
Follow Us
