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CFS is a working case definition for the neuroimmune disorder known as Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) since 1956. ME has been included in the classification of the World Health Organization (WHO) as a disease of the central nervous system since 1969. In the ICD-10, ME is the only disorder listed in the tabular classification under G93.3, Post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS). In 1993 the term Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was added to the alphabetic list of the classification with the same designation. In the 1950s, the public eye was caught by several outbreaks of a mysterious illness that resembled, but proved not to be, poliomyelitis. Afterwards, it was established that the disorder was primarily found among the general population and the epidemic form was the exception. Autopsy findings, both on monkeys and on the rare human casualties, led to the conclusion that the disorder was caused by inflammation of the brain and the spinal cord, and in 1956 it was named accordingly as Myalgic encephalomyelitis. Despite the existence of non-epidemic cases, the disorder was soon dismissed by some as mass hysteria and interest dropped, to be rekindled only after a similar outbreak at Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, Nevada in the mid-1980s. Unaware of the earlier findings, researchers now attached a different kind of name to the phenomenon: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), after the symptoms rather than the (there unestablished) nature of the disorder. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention published a first working case definition for CFS in 1988, even though by then the CDC were aware of the ME connection. The use of a syndrome definition had the advantage that the diagnostics were simplified. Research picked up considerably, and more so after the criteria were relaxed in 1994. The obvious drawback was the possibility of misdiagnosis. Lacking a diagnostic laboratory test of any kind, CFS has frequently been mis-diagnosed, for example in patients presenting CFS symptoms with similar biological conditions or infections (such as Lyme or Epstein-Barr) (the latter of which is often the cause of glandular fever, or infectious mononucleosis), or psychological conditions (ranging from depression to hypochondria). A lack of information and awareness has led to many patients being stigmatized, sometimes as hypochondriac or lazy, yet at other times as over-active and perfectionistic. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have now recognized CFS as a serious illness and launched a campaign in June 2006 to raise public and medical awareness about it.
Notable sufferers
Some notable persons who are believed to have suffered from CFS are:
* Michelle Akers, soccer player
* Brian Aldiss, author
* Layne Beachley, professional surfer
* Jennifer Beals, actress, star of Flashdance
* Susan Blackmore, parapsychologist, author
* Howard Bloom, evolutionary psychologist, author
* Cher, pop singer, actress
* Neil Codling, formerly of Suede
* Denise Danks, crime novelist
* Blake Edwards, writer and director of such movies as Breakfast at Tiffany's, 10, and The Pink Panther
* John Fahey, folk guitarist
* Flea, musician
* Florence Nightingale, nursing pioneer
* Clare Francis, international yachtswoman and author
* Johanna Griggs, Commonwealth swimmer (Australian)
* Susan Griffin, Writer
* Susan Harris, television writer and producer, who incorporated her experiences into the fifth season of The Golden Girls.
* Anna Hemmings, Britain’s leading female marathon canoeist.
* Laura Hillenbrand, author of the book Seabiscuit: An American Legend, the basis for the film Seabiscuit
* Kelly Holmes, athlete
* Akira Kurosawa, noted Japanese film director
* Blair Hornstine, New Jersey student who sued her school district when it wanted her to share valedictorian honors with a classmate
* Andy Hunt, former British soccer player
* Frank Iero, musician, My Chemical Romance.
* Keith Jarrett, jazz pianist
* Lemmy, singer, Moto"rhead
* Katharine, Duchess of Kent
* Peter Marshall (squash player), Former British No1 Squash Player - Condition described in his biography, 'Shattered-A Champion's Fight Against A Mystery Illness'
* Andrew Oldcorn, golfer
* Henry Percy, 11th Duke of Northumberland
* Alastair Lynch, Australian rules footballer
* Stuart Murdoch, of the band Belle & Sebastian
* Gilda Radner, comedian
* Barry Sheen, motorcyclist
* Ali Smith, writer
* Martin Speight, artist and former cricket player, Sussex CCC and Durham CCC.
* Gore Vidal, author
* Alex Traxler, former state champion of debate in South Carolina
* Steve Bunce, NetSoccer player
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Important notice:
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other
qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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