A look at Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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by Ginger ten Bensel

Story Created: Mar 19, 2012 at 4:51 PM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 19, 2012 at 6:38 PM CDT

It affects several million people and lasts for years. We're talking about Chronic Fatigue. News 5's Ginger ten Bensel takes an in-depth look at the syndrome in this special edition of "What's Going Around?"

Chronic Fatigue is a generalized muscle ache where the patient is so tired he or she can't do anything.

The patient can also suffer from sleep disturbances, headaches, and flu-like episodes.

The symptoms can cause severe impairment of day-to-day functions.

I spoke with Doctor Michael Hanich with the Kearney Clinic about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and a new medication that is still being tested.

Dr. Hanich says that one of the theories about Chronic Fatigue is that it follows a viral infection.

In 2011, a study in Norway brought in a person with Hodgkin's lymphoma who was also diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
They used a drug called Rituximab which is a beta lymphocyte depleting agent. It's a substance that blocks the antibody on the surface of the cells thus killing off the lymphoma cells.

They treated the patient and noticed that the chronic fatigue syndrome also got better with the treatment.

And because the chronic fatigue got better experts say that chronic fatigue syndrome is an auto immune disease.

Dr. Hanich says that it's going to take a lot more research in the area.
The drug is on the market, but it's on the market for treating cancer.

It has been used on other Chronic Fatigue patients, but it doesn't appear to have lasting effects.

And, Dr. Hanich says some of the people that have done the research are retracting their claims. So, more research and testing is necessary.

The number of cases being reported has increased dramatically.

That may be because physicians are now recognizing the disease.
If you think you might have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome you should see your doctor as soon as possible to get a correct diagnosis.

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