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CFS, GWS, FM, MCS
Description of the Illnesses
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The Gersten Institute would like to thank the CFIDS Association of America (CAA) for granting us permission to use their definitions of CFS, GWS, and the host of "alphabet" diagnoses associated with the symptom of chronic fatigue.
Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME Myalgic Encepalomyelitis Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) is a serious and complex illness that affects many different body systems. It is characterized by incapacitating fatigue (experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina), neurological problems and numerous other symptoms. CFIDS can be severely debilitating and can last for many years. CFIDS is often misdiagnosed because it is frequently unrecognized and can resemble other disorders including mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis (M.S.), fibromyalgia (FM), Lyme disease, post-polio syndrome and auto-immune diseases such as lupus. CFIDS is also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.).
Gulf War Illnesses aka Gulf War Syndrome Gulf War Illnesses (GWI) aka Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) is less well defined and refers to the cluster of undiagnosed symptoms of unknown cause that have been reported by over 10% of the U.S. veterans involved in the 1991 war against Iraq (more than 80,000 troops to date have symptoms of GWS). Although studies published by the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans' Affairs, National Institute of Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control deny the existence of any "unique syndrome," the symptoms most commonly reported by ill veterans--including chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, sleep disturbances, and neurocognitive problems - are almost identical to those seen in CFIDS, FMS and MCS. Most independent researchers attribute GWS symptoms to pesticide, drug and chemical weapons exposures, while others report finding treatable infections of Leishmania tropica (a sand fly fever) and Mycoplasma fermentans (incognitus). Some researchers believe that Gulf War veterans and others who meet the diagnostic criteria for more than one of CFIDS, FMS and/or MCS may all be suffering from variations of one underlying, but as yet undefined, syndrome. Most, for example, seem to share heightened sensitivity to a diverse range of stresses, from physical exertion and infection to environmental exposures. In addition to chemical sensitivity, they often also report heightened sensitivity to bright lights, loud noises, hot and/or cold weather, and/or touch. Until further research clarifies the nature of this overlap, most physicians, insurers, attorneys and support groups continue to regard CFIDS, FMS, MCS and GWI/GWS as separate and distinct conditions.
Fibromyalgia MPS Myofascial Pain Syndrome Fibromyalgia, aka Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), is defined by chronic muscle and joint pain on both sides of the body, pain above and below the waist, and pain anywhere along the spine. It is usually associated with disrupted sleep, chronic fatigue, cognitive problems, and many other variable symptoms. According to the American College of Rheumatology, FMS affects about 3% of the adult U.S. population and, like CFIDS and MCS, appears to be much more common in women. Flu-like achiness appears to be the most prominent symptom of FMS. Other symptoms include dry eyes at certain times, yet watery at other times; temperature fluctuations; bladder irritability; peripheral blood vessels; and mottling of the skin. Fingernails can break off, often in crescent-shaped pieces. If nails do grow, they sometimes start to curve under. The diagnosis is confirmed with a brief physical exam that involves the testing of 18 pressure/trigger (or tender) points. FMS is not a catchall, "wastebasket" diagnosis. FMS is a pain condition which is specific, chronic, non-degenerative, non-progressive, noninflammatory, and systemic. As with CFIDS and MCS, the onset of FMS may be gradual or sudden. Sudden onset is usually associated with physical injury or trauma, such as a car accident or difficult childbirth, although FMS also may be initiated by infections or chemical and drug exposures. Treatments focus on relieving pain, avoiding stress, improving sleep and correcting hormonal imbalances. Outcomes vary and no cure-all is known.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Syndrome Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCS) is marked by multiple symptoms in multiple organ systems (usually the neurological, immune, respiratory, skin, "GI", and/or musculoskeletal) that recur chronically in response to multiple chemical exposures. MCS usually starts with either an acute or chronic toxic exposure, after which this initial sensitivity broadens to include many other chemicals and common irritants (pesticides, perfumes and other scented products, fuels, food additives, carpets, building materials, etc). MCS symptoms commonly include difficulty breathing, sleeping and/or concentrating, memory loss, migraines, nausea, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, aching joints and muscles, and irritated eyes, nose, ears, throat and/or skin. In addition, some with MCS show impaired balance and increased sensitivity, not just to odors, but also to loud noises, bright lights, touch, extremes of heat and cold, and electromagnetic fields. MCS studies show that about 66% of those with CFIDS and Fibromyalgia also have MCS (and vice versa), as do 50% of those with allergies. Like CFIDS, MCS appears to be more common in women and can start at any age, but usually begins in late puberty to mid-life. There is no unique test for MCS, but immune, porphyrin, qEEG (quantitative EEG, also known as brain mapping or topographic EEG analysis), balance, and SPECT scan abnormalities are common. |
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