‘Is a Virus the Cause of Fatigue Syndrome?’

10/12/09  The News York Times  reports on exciting research published last week in Science which reveals the existence of a virus which might be responsible for CFS.  

See Is a Virus the Cause of Fatigue Syndrome?  and Chronic Fatigue and Prostate Cancer: A Retroviral Connection?

 

Death Panels or Needed End-of-Life Discussions

8/20/09 MedPie.com  (“Articles written by doctors but for everyone”)

The misunderstanding surrounding death panels has blocked reimbursement for much needed end-of-life planning with physicians.  Barbara Lock, MD talks about her own experience with end-of-life conversations and the medical community’s need for such discussions to become commonplace.

See End-of-Life Conversations: Death Panels or Patient Preferences 

 

‘I Am Not My Illness, It Is Only A Part Of Me’

8/1/08 Washington Post An occasional feature in which readers describe how they have adjusted to life with a chronic illness.  See ‘I Am Not My Illness’

 

How It Feels: Multiple Sclerosis

8/5/2008 Chicago Tribune

Part of an occasional series describing how medical conditions might feel.
‘’Ten years ago, Holly McNeill was getting ready for a Hawaiian vacation when she noticed blurriness in the center of her field of vision in her left eye. It struck her as "bizarre," and she chalked it up to allergies. Although she was leaving in a few days, she saw an ophthalmologist. He diagnosed an inflammation of the optic nerve and suggested she visit a neurologist after her trip.  The blurriness went away, but McNeill, who is 46 and lives in West Dundee, saw the neurologist and had an MRI. She recalls the doctor telling her he couldn’t offer a definitive answer. He didn’t believe she had enough symptoms to make a diagnosis, yet he felt unable to rule out a frightening possibility: multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack the central nervous system, particularly the protective sheath around nerve fibers.

See How It Feels: Multiple Sclerosis

 

Finding A Way Through The Pain

7/26/08 There are help groups for people suffering from chronic illnesses

Judy McClary, leader and founder of the Tidewater Chronic Pain & Chronic Illness Support Group in Chesapeake, holds monthly meetings at her house for those suffering from chronic pain or chronic illnesses. It is a place where people can come together and give each other support and encouragement. McClary, a registered nurse and certified legal nurse consultant, works with and has chronic fatigue syndrome. She’s trying to raise awareness and help people understand this misunderstood disease. See Finding A Way Through The Pain

 

Those With Chronic Illness Less Prepared For Major Hurricane or Disaster

7/23/08  Substantial number of chronically ill and disabled do not have help they need to evacuate

Boston, MA — Three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated parts of the Gulf Coast, a new survey conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health Project on the Public and Biological Security shows that one-third (34%) of those affected by the storm report they are very prepared if a major hurricane were to strike their communities in the next six months. The top worries of respondents threatened or hit by Hurricane Katrina are that they would not have enough fresh water to drink (42% very worried) and that they would not be able to get needed medical care (41% very worried). The survey of 5,055 people was conducted in eight states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas—and only included residents of high-risk counties, those within 20 miles of the coast. The poll also included a special sample of the New Orleans metropolitan area. Katrina-affected respondents have a heightened degree of concern across a number of issues compared to those not affected by the storm. These concerns include caring for a chronically ill or elderly household member, having enough cash on hand during the storm’s aftermath, dealing with the conditions at an evacuation shelter if they should need to go to one, and being threatened by violence. Approximately one in three Katrina-affected respondents are very worried about each of these problems while those who were not affected by Katrina are less worried.

 

 

Caffeine May Stave Off Multiple Sclerosis

7/1/08 A new study reported today in US NEWS and WORLD Report titled, Caffeine Could Stave Off Multiple Sclerosis says findings may help scientists develop drug to treat autoimmune illness.

 

Treating Chronic Fatigue

6/30/08 Kimberly Kaye writes a great article on  Treating Chronic Fatigue for the readers of www.sheknows.com .

 

New Book On Lyme Disease Takes Controversial Stance on Chronic Fatigue

7/1/08 An October New England Journal of Medicine article took this viewpoint, in contrast to that of the new book. It issued a "critical appraisal" of chronic Lyme disease, a term sometimes used interchangeably with "late Lyme disease." The "chronic" diagnosis is used, according to the NEJM piece, in North America and Europe, for people who experience persistent pain, fatigue, and neurocognitive symptoms, with or without prior evidence of Lyme disease. The article’s authors question the use of the term "chronic Lyme" to explain these patients’ symptoms—and they say long-term antibiotic therapy isn’t the answer to treating these patients. Instead, the goal should be to provide support and management of pain, fatigue, or other symptoms, the authors write, and doctors should explain to patients that no antibiotic can cure lingering symptoms.

 

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