Controversies Related To Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Controversies Related To Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an illness with a long history of controversies. For years, many professionals within the medical community did not recognize CFS as a real condition, nor was there agreement on its prevalence. There has been much disagreement over the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome, how it should be diagnosed, and how to treat it.

The diagnosis is controversial, and its etiology is still not fully understood. Competing names to describe the condition(s) have been used over the years in different parts of the world, and the name chronic fatigue syndrome is criticized by many patient groups that say the name trivializes the illness. They prefer a more serious-sounding term such as the alternative name myalgic encephalomyelitis.

A major divide still exists over funding for research and treatment of physiological versus psychological and psychosocial aspects of the illness. The division is especially great between CFS patient groups and health care professionals advocating psychological and psychosocial treatments in the United Kingdom.

Read more about Controversies Related To Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:  Naming, Support For Patients, Research Funding, Perception, Political

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