We have heard of individuals who perennially complain of fatigue. A visit to the doctor does not usually bear fruit as no illness is diagnosed… and the person’s tired state continues.

Welcome to the world of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)!

CFS has finally managed to garner enough support and harness the recognition it deserves.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA, now recognizes the fact that 1 million to  4 million Americans are affected by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome( CFS). However, only half these numbers seek medical attention for their illness.

What triggers this condition still remains a mystery. Epstein –Barr virus, anemia, allergies and other factors have been implicated.

As can be guessed by the name, CFS causes severe fatigue in the sufferers to the extent that their normal life is seriously impaired. Pain (non specific) and debilitating fatigue are common hallmarks of this condition. A wide range of symptoms  have been listed including flu-like symptoms and memory loss. The vast majority of CFS patients are women and no one knows why!

Depression in these patients is quite common as the current medicines are unable to relieve the pain. However anti depressants and anti histamines are used to treat this condition. Alternative therapies, like acupuncture, are  known to relieve the pain.

Dr. Reeja Tharu

Related Links

1. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- An Overview

2. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Calculator

3. CPAP Treatment Improves Complaints of Fatigue and Tiredness in People With OSA

The name sounds weird and the symptoms are weirder! Morgellons syndrome certainly stands tall among the medical mysteries….

Morgellon syndrome patient experiences a sensation akin to that of  fibers or crystals sprouting from the body. At other times, there is a feeling similar to that of an army of insects crawling all over the  body, sometimes even biting or stinging! There is a lot of scratching to be done too and this could certainly explain the persistent skin lesions.

The truth of the matter still remains unclear as there is a monumental lack of evidence. Nevertheless, symptoms such as persistent skin sores and lesions stand testimony to suffering and discomfort that the patient may experience!

Several doctors claim that Morgellons syndrome is a case of new wine in an old bottle - as it is nothing but a new name for ‘delusional parasitosis’-where a patient imagines insects or parasites crawling all over the body.

According to many experts Morgellons syndrome is more of a psychological condition than a physical one.

What causes this condition is little understood — the myth behind this mysterious disease is waiting to unfold!

Dr.Reeja Tharu