Good news for chronic fatigue sufferers: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has finally acknowledged CFS as a legitimate disease.
Like it wasn't bad enough to deal with the fatigue, pain, headaches, insomnia and depression of CFS, many sufferers also struggled with misunderstanding and skepticism. It's estimated that there are more than one million Americans struggling with this debilitating condition, and probably many more who are undiagnosed.
In my own practice I have routinely seen patients bounced out of other practices by doctors who have either told them then there was nothing wrong or that the problem was all in their head. A ten-minute appointment is hardly sufficient to address the total health needs of most of these unfortunate people, whose problems are quite real and legitimate.
The CDC acknowledgement won't change things overnight, but it's a step in the right direction. Wisely, the CDC is backing it up with a major awareness campaign to help physicians and the public better understand CFS. Fortunately, there are more treatment options available than ever before: high dose nutrient therapy, herbal remedies, aerobic and dietary changes have all shown promise.
