NORD's
Washington Office
 Read about events on Capitol Hill, funding for rare-disease research, and other topics of interest from NORD's office in Washington, DC.
|
|
|
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
|
To purchase full-text report ($7.50): View Cart/Checkout |
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) web site, its databases,
and the contents thereof are copyrighted by NORD. No part of the NORD web
site, databases, or the contents may be copied in any way, including but not
limited to the following: electronically downloading, storing in a retrieval
system, or redistributing for any commercial purposes without the express
written permission of NORD. Permission is hereby granted to print one hard
copy of the information on an individual disease for your personal use,
provided that such content is in no way modified, and the credit for the
source (NORD) and NORD’s copyright notice are included on the printed copy.
Any other electronic reproduction or other printed versions is strictly
prohibited.
The information in NORD's Rare Disease Database is for educational purposes only. It
should never be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you have questions regarding
a medical condition, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health
professional. NORD's reports provide a brief overview of rare diseases. For more specific
information, we encourage you to contact your personal physician or the agencies listed as
"Resources" on this report.
Copyright 1987, 1988, 1989, 2004, 2009
Synonyms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
- Akureyri Disease
- Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
- CFS
- Epidemic Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
- Epidemic Neuromyasthenia
- Iceland Disease
- ME
- ME
- Raphe Nucleus Encephalopathy
- Royal Free Disease
- Tapanui Flu
Disorder Subdivisions
General Discussion
Until the late 1980s, myalgic encephalomyelitis was thought to be a distinct, infectious disorder affecting the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems and the muscles. Its major symptom was fatigue to the point of extended periods of exhaustion. A group of experts studying the Epstein-Barr virus first published strict criteria for the symptoms and physical signs of chronic fatigue syndrome in 1988. This case definition was further refined in 1994.
The Fact Sheet for CFS published by the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health states that "[T]oday, CFS is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, postviral fatigue syndrome, and chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome." ME/CFS is now recognized as part of a range of illnesses that have fatigue as a major symptom.
ME/CFS is not rare. The CDC estimates that there are as many as 500,000 persons in the United States who have CFS-like symptoms. However, the disorder remains debilitating, complex and mysterious in origin, natural history, understanding and treatment.
.
Organizations related to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
- CF-Alliance
P.O. Box 9204
Bardonia NY 10954
Phone #: 845-548-0313
800 #: --
e-mail: cf_alliance@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.cf-alliance.tripod.com/
- CFIDS Association of America
PO Box 220398
Charlotte NC 28222-0398
Phone #: 704-365-2343
800 #: 800-442-3437
e-mail: cfids@cfids.org
Home page: http://www.cfids.org
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta GA 30333
Phone #: 404-639-3534
800 #: 800-232-4636
e-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov
Home page: http://www.cdc.gov/
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
- MAME, Inc. (Mothers Against Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)
1 Orne Square
Salem MA 01970
Phone #: 978-744-8293
800 #: --
e-mail: MAME@mame-net.org
Home page: http://www.mame-net.org
- ME Association
7 Apollo Office Court
Radclive Road
Gawcott
Bucks None MK18 4DF
Phone #: 012-80 -827070
800 #: N/A
e-mail: meconnection@meassociation.org.uk
Home page: http://www.meassociation.org.uk
- Myalgic Encephalopathy Association
7 Apollo Office Court
Radclive Road
Gawcott
Bucks Intl MK18 4DF
Phone #: 012-80 -827070
800 #: --
e-mail: meconnect@meassociation.org.uk
Home page: http://www.meassociation.org.uk
- NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
6610 Rockledge Drive
MSC 6612
Bethesda MD 20892-6612
Phone #: 301-496-5717
800 #: --
e-mail: N/A
Home page: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
- National CFIDS Foundation, Inc.
103 Aletha Rd
Needham MA 02492-3931
Phone #: 781-449-3535
800 #: --
e-mail: gailronda@aol.com
Home page: http://www.ncf-net.org
- National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Association
P.O. Box 18426
Kansas City MO 64133
Phone #: 816-737-1343
800 #: N/A
e-mail: information@ncfsfa.org
Home page: http://www.ncfsfa.org
|
|
