Category Archives: News
CFS – is the biopsychosocial model responsible for patient dissatisfaction and harm?
Article extracts: In 1977 George Engel wrote about the need for an ‘integrated approach’ in medicine that moved the focus beyond biological mechanisms of disease to include all pertinent aspects of illness presentation, setting out a ‘biopsychosocial model’.1 Around the … Continue reading
Intestinal cell damage & systemic immune activation in people with sensitivity to wheat
Research abstract: Objective: Wheat gluten and related proteins can trigger an autoimmune enteropathy, known as coeliac disease, in people with genetic susceptibility. However, some individuals experience a range of symptoms in response to wheat ingestion, without the characteristic serological or … Continue reading
Interdisciplinary group treatment may improve quality of life in CFS/ME
Research highlights: Interdisciplinary group treatment may improve quality of life in CFS/ME. Psychological Flexibility (PF) has applied utility in the treatment of CFS/ME. Changes in PF activity/occupational engagement suggest greatest benefit in CFS/ME. Research abstract: Objective: Psychological Flexibility (PF) is a … Continue reading
Non-restorative sleep in FM & CFS
Prohealth blog post, by Celeste Cooper, 21 May 2016: “Wake Up Sleepy Head” – Non-Restorative Sleep in FM and CFS “Are you deprived?” Disordered sleep is prevalent in both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis. Sleep deprivation can affect … Continue reading
Variable effects of clonidine treatment in CFS
Research abstract: Clonidine, an α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, decreases circulating norepinephrine and epinephrine, attenuating sympathetic activity. Although catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) metabolizes catecholamines, main effectors of sympathetic function, COMT genetic variation effects on clonidine treatment are unknown. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is hypothesized … Continue reading
Long-Term Consequences of Cryptosporidium and Giardia Gastroenteritis
Research abstract: Cryptosporidium and Giardia are protozoan intestinal parasites which may present as asymptomatic infections in humans or cause severe and prolonged diarrhea. Studies over the last two decades show an association between these two pathogens, and various sequelae after … Continue reading
Kinesiophobia and maladaptive coping strategies prevent improvement in pain
Research abstract: Many patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and/or fibromyalgia (FM) have no understanding of their condition, leading to maladaptive pain cognitions and coping strategies. These should be tackled during therapy, e.g. by providing pain neurophysiology education (PNE). Although … Continue reading
Q fever fatigue syndrome research review
Review abstract: BACKGROUND: Long-term fatigue with detrimental effects on daily functioning often occurs following acute Q-fever. Following the 2007-2010 Q-fever outbreak in the Netherlands with over 4000 notified cases, the emphasis on long-term consequences of Q-fever increased. The aim of this … Continue reading
Vitamin D supplement advice for people with ME
Following advice from Public Health England that everyone should consider taking vitamin D supplements in autumn and winter, Dr Charles Shepherd of the ME Association comments: “We often flag up the fact that people with ME/CFS, especially those who are … Continue reading
A review of attitudes, beliefs & knowledge of health care professionals about CFS/ME
Review abstract: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a relatively unknown disease and is often referred to as a diagnosis of exclusion. Diagnostic tests are not available for this disease because a single empirical cause or marker has … Continue reading
