Product Description
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Advances in Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Basic Science Research highlights the presentations and issues discussed at the Fourth Annual International Conference of the American Association of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). You will explore the strengths and weaknesses of current case definitions of CFS and how these can be improved. Also, you will examine how to distinguish CFS from similiar ailments such as fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivity. This book puts different therapeutic modalities to the test, and addresses the neurological and psychiatric manifestations associated with CFS. ... Read more

Product Description
(Haworth Medical Press)Univ. of Miami, FL. Text provides an explanation of therapeutic tools used in chronic fatigue syndrome research. Topics include herbal medicine, vaccines, fibromyalgia, Gulf War syndrome, and the immune army. For patients and healthcare professionals. Hardcover, softcover available. DNLM: Fatigue, Syndrome, Chronic--immunology. ... Read more

Product Description
Examine the role the Eta-1/Op gene may play in uncovering the cause of CFS!

Current research indicates that chronic fatigue syndrome may have an infectious etiology and that genetic factors might determine a body's ability to overcome or fall victim to a chronic infection. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Genes, and Infection: The Eta-1/Op Paradigm focuses on the Early T lymphocyte activation-1/osteopontin gene (Eta-1/Op), a cytokine that offers natural resistance to bacteria, and viruses that may play a role in the suspected link between microbial infections and CFS. Written by one of the leading experts in the field, the book details the historical, clinical, and scientific aspects of Eta-1/Op and its relationship to infectious agents such as Rickettsia.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Genes, and Infection: The Eta-1/Op Paradigm centers on research triggered by the high percentage of CFS patients who associate the onset of the disorder with an apparently infectious illness. This unique book addresses the role of Eta-1/Op as part of a genetic program of cellular immunity that may help in the etiopathogenesis and treatment of CFS. It also presents information on the structure and regulation of the Eta-1/Op gene and protein, and the biological activities of Eta-1/Op in nonimmunological bodily systems and pathologies.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Genes, and Infection: The Eta-1/Op Paradigm includes vital information on the Eta-1/Op gene's relationship to:

flaviviruses and herpesviruses
mycobacterial infections and HIV infection
autoimmune disease
cell-cell communication
cellular motility
the regulation of phosphate and calcium metabolism
and much more!

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Genes, and Infection: The Eta-1/Op Paradigm is an important addition to the continuing effort to unravel the pathogenesis of this crippling disorder. The book is an essential resource for healthcare professionals working with CFS patients and for the biomedical community as a whole. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A good summary of the research on osteopontin, but not particularly relevant to ME/CFS
The title of Patarca-Montero's book is somewhat misleading, because there is, to date, no evidence that ME/CFS is associated with a decreased expression of Eta-1/Op, better known as osteopontin. (A far more accurate title would have been: The Eta-1/Op Paradigm: Genes, Infection and the Immune System.) Osteopontin is a cytokine that promotes cellular immunity, the part of the immune system that attacks viruses and other organisms that invade host cells. Patarca's theory is that due to the shift from cellular (Th1) to humoral (Th2) immunity in ME/CFS (a shift that allows for viral re-activation) there is sufficient reason to believe osteopontin might play an important role in the pathogenesis of ME/CFS.

Patarca-Montero cites an impressive number of studies concerning osteopontin, detailing its myriad effects on bone, skin, joint, renal, cardiac, GI, pulmonary, nervous and auditory systems. In spite of its near omnipresence in the human body, osteopontin is primarily expressed in the gut. (This should not come as a surprise given the gut's pivotal role in immune system activity.) Osteopontin, because of its ability to activate inflammatory T-cells, and due to its primary site of expression, has been implicated in inflammatory conditions of the gut, such as Crohn's disease and IBD. It is also expressed in cancers of the bowel and stomach, leading some researchers to suggest that elevated osteopontin levels may serve as a reliable indicator for these conditions. The (unanswered) question is: How do the functions of osteopontin apply to CFS?

In science, there is a world of difference between a hypothesis that is supported by a little evidence, and a hypothesis that is supported by none. While this book would certainly serve as a valuable resource for anyone researching osteopontin, it has little application for ME/CFS. There are no studies linking this cytokine with CFS symptoms or with its cause. It can't be used as a marker, because it is ubiquitous. Nor is it useful as a treatment, as many ME/CFS patients already suffer from comorbid inflammatory conditions. (Besides, the idea that you can "shift" the immune system from one type to another is highly problematic, as the two systems overlap.) I'm afraid that when it comes to CFS, Patarca's Eta-1/Op paradigm, like so many theories about this complex illness, is a dead end. ... Read more

Product Description

A guide for practitioners, scientists, and patients, Clinical Management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome provides an insightful overview of current clinical management of CFS and guidelines for dealing with the disease and its compounding issues. It also provides, especially for patients, an objective framework in which they can approach the confusing psychological and physical ramifications of the disease so that they may sort through possibly misleading information on current treatments.

CFS has been the focus of an increasing number of research investigators seeking to unravel the enigmatic interrelationship of immunologic, neurologic, endocrinologic, and psychologic abnormalities associated with this debilitating disorder. Because many practical issues have been underestimated by the medical community, and considerable misinformation exists regarding the appropriate evaluation and management of the CFS patient, the American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (AACFS) held its first clinical conference to address this problem, the results of which are presented in this book. Each chapter, based on material presented at the October 1994 conference has been completely updated and revised during a peer review process, making Clinical Management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome a useful and up-to-date guide for practitioners and scientists, as well as patients.

Despite the potential of nervous system functional assessments, the diagnosis of CFS continues to be a major problem because a consensus diagnostic tool is lacking, and the monitoring of the disorder is based primarily on patient report. Moreover, dealing with the financial aspects of CFS continues to be a major problem for patients, so professionals with experience dealing with insurance companies explored this issue, as well as ways in which CFS could be considered in a broader perspective of health care, particularly focusing on governmental involvement.

The chapters provide an insightful overview of current clinical management of patients and guidelines for dealing with the disease and its complicating issues. General topics of relevance covered in the book's chapters include

Customer Reviews (1)

This is the best CFS Book ever written.
Conley knows CFS better than anyone, and this is the best CFS book everwritten, by far. ... Read more

Product Description
Fisher reveals what life is like on the front lines in the battle against this often misunderstood disease. He also offers constructive advice on coping with the illness and provides important information. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

CFIDS help book.
This is one of the better books on CFIDS.
It covers the Social Security appeal process so you know what to expect.
The book covers the author's experience and his wife's since 1982.
The book covers symptoms, diagnosis, understanding your illness, treatments, depression caused by CFIDS, coping, financial hardship, advice for friends and family. There is an interview with Anthony Komaroff, M.D.
In the Appendix covers where to go to get some help. ... Read more

Product Description
The first book to offer an optimistic message for CFS sufferers, this essential and inspirational guidebook is designed to help patients empower themselves, using techniques for body awareness, inner dialogue, deep relaxation, guided imagery, and other devices, so that they may take responsiblity for their own healing and gain a more positive outlook on life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good, Usable Ideas
Recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome
Concise, well-written, and upbeat, this book offers what is often missing in counsel to people suffering from CFS and Fibromyalgia:hope.It concentrates on giving the reader non-drug therapies and self-help protocols.Drugs commonly used for CFS's myriad problems are listed in the back, but are not promoted - meaning that the overall message is that we can help ourselves, we don't have to depend on drugs, and we don't have to live with CFS for the rest of our lives.

The author is also realistic in his counsel.A real problem for CFS sufferers is trying to recover what we have lost, trying to go back to "life before".Dr. Collinge's recovery ideas are based on a lifestyle that is different from the one that caused the illness.With that understanding and with a willingness to work at the methods presented, CFS people can make their lives better.

The most important book you could buy if you have CFIDS!
This book will give you HOPE! Yes, it was written seven years ago, but its message is timeless and VERY essential. It gives the general medical information you need, along with some names of supportive organizations.More importantly, through case studies, Mr. Collinge proves that recoveryis indeed possible and probable. As someone whoSUFFERS from CFIDS, I haveread a lot of publications on the subject- I would recommend this bookabove anything else. It gives the hope, based on a solid foundation, thatwe all need. ... Read more

Product Description
This book has been created for patients who have decided to make education and research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it also gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it tells patients where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to chronic fatigue syndrome (also Chronic Epstein-Barr syndrome; Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS); Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome; Fatigue - chronic; Yuppie flu), from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. The title of this book includes the word official. This reflects the fact that the sourcebook draws from public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research. Selected readings from various agencies are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on chronic fatigue syndrome. Given patients' increasing sophistication in using the Internet, abundant references to reliable Internet-based resources are provided throughout this sourcebook. Where possible, guidance is provided on how to obtain free-of-charge, primary research results as well as more detailed information via the Internet. E-book and electronic versions of this sourcebook are fully interactive with each of the Internet sites mentioned (clicking on a hyperlink automatically opens your browser to the site indicated). Hard-copy users of this sourcebook can type cited Web addresses directly into their browsers to obtain access to the corresponding sites. In addition to extensive references accessible via the Internet, chapters include glossaries of technical or uncommon terms. ... Read more

Product Description
This essential guide summarizes current knowledge about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) to help doctors and those working with CFS become familiar with the latest developments and lessons learned about CFS over the last three years. Comprehensive and thorough, this important book highlights areas that need more research and gives you greater awareness of this widespread and growing problem. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Appropriate for CFS researchers, but not for patients or doctors
This title of this book says it all: It is concise (Patarca Montero wastes no words), it is in alphabetical order, and is almost entirely about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. With admirable thoroughness, Patarca Montero has assembled, categorized and organized a decade of CFS research (up to the year 2000). Patarca has left no topic out, from AIDS (which has no bearing on CFS) to Yersinia (which also has no bearing on CFS). Fortunately, he covers everything in between--most of which, thankfully, does have bearing on CFS. However, it is Patarca's failing that in his zeal to leave nothing out, he makes no distinction between research that is relevant and research which isn't.

If you are looking for EVERYTHING that has been published--the good, the bad, and the ugly--you will find it all among these pages. (Although, if you want to save time and energy, I'd recommend bypassing the contents and going straight to the Notes section.) To be fair, Patarca devotes most of this book to legitimate research on immune system dysfunction, neuroendocrine system abnormalities, the role of viruses in CFS etiology, symptoms, etc. However, Patarca also includes some deeply flawed studies, with a credulity that makes you wonder if he understands what he is reading. Under "Quality of Life", for example, Patarca states (without a hint of irony) that "quality of life correlates with the hypochondriacal disposition of CFS patients toward illness." To back up this ridiculous assertion, he cites a 1996 NIH-funded study published by Manu, Affleck et al in the journal, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. (It is well worth mentioning here that the first author of the study was a consultant for Metlife Insurance Company. Due to his blatant conflict of interests, anything Manu has published concerning CFS must automatically be treated as irreparably biased.) From a political perspective I find this sort of study interesting. Apparently, the NIH felt a greater need to spend our tax dollars proving that people with CFS were imagining things than it did to track down, let's say, a retrovirus that might have caused CFS and which, having been left unchecked for 25 years, might currently be contaminating the nation's blood supply. However,apart from documenting the woeful political history of CFS, the uncritical inclusion of such shoddy, ill-conceived "research" is shameful.

It is equally as reprehensible for Patarca Montero to include "fatigue state" studies in a book about CFS. Research which is based on self-reported "fatigue" has absolutely no relevance to CFS. Aside from the fact that self-reporting is not a valid criterion in a medical study (why bother having a case definition if nobody is going to use it?), fatigue is not the defining characteristic of CFS. Post-exertional malaise, that is, a worsening of all symptoms after physical or mental exertion, is what distinguishes CFS from "fatigue states." The fact that Patarca does not distinguish between the two simply adds confusion, and obfuscates the solid research that has been conducted using the CFS case definition (particularly the Canadian case definition, which includes physical findings).

As useful as this book might be for researchers, I would not recommend it to either doctors or patients. The lack of "quality control" will leave doctors with a confusing, meaningless and often contradictory jumble of statistics. Patients will also be frustrated by the plethora of uninterpreted information. If you are looking for a fairly short introduction to the disease process itself, I would recommend Dr. Bell's book, Cellular Hypoxia and Neuro-Immune Fatigue. If you are a patient looking for practical advice, read Hope and Help for CFS as well as CFS: A Treatment Guide. And if you would like to delve more deeply into thephysiological aspects of CFS, The Clinical and Scientific Basis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome edited by Jay Goldstein and Byron Hyde is still the most cogent and useful publication available. ... Read more

Product Description
Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Repetitive Strain Injury provides a summary of information from a conference on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia syndrome (FS), and related disorders. Many of the contributors are known for being actively involved in the study of the target disorders and represent countries around the world. In addition to health professionals, the contributors represent the legal profession and the insurance industry of Canada.

The unique feature of this volume is its emphasis on disability and compensation. In Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Repetitive Strain Injury readers will find concise summaries of the formal presentations given at the Vancouver Conference in July 1994. The underlying tenor in the chapters is on viewing affective (psychological) pathology as a contributor to the underlying processes of these disorders. Readers are encouraged to follow closely the logic of each author’s academic exercise. They will find that in many cases, the authors provoke more answers than they are able to answer, in the hope of promoting continued research toward finding concrete answers.

The conference was designed to address etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, treatment, disability, medico-legal issues and cost containment. The program agenda was issue driven rather than condition based. The papers were presented in a manner which allowed delegates and speakers to see the overlap and differences between these conditions.

The purpose of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Repetitive Strain Injury is to provide education for primary care physicians, specialist physicians, other health care disciplines, patients, and the public. A second purpose is to enable investigators in the three topic areas to get new information from specialists around the world to develop new ideas, which will inform future research and consensus. ... Read more

Product Description
This book describes in detail the author's experience with Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. It presents a self-reported case study geared for both those suffering from this disease and for medical professionals seeking to learn more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Big Disappointment . . .
I ordered this book hoping to gain some insight into a crippling and emotionally complex disease. I was extremely disappointed to discover the complete lack of quality in the author's writing. The book is riddled with grammatical errors and misspellings. The narrative is aimless. It appears that not one single person ever copyedited this manuscript at any point during the publishing process.

My advice: don't waste your dollars or your sense on this amateurish and overpriced book.

Try "Stricken" by Peggy Munson, "Facing and Fighting Fatigue" by Benjamin Natelson, or "Beyond Chaos" by Gregg Piburn. These are all valuable and well-written books on Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome.

Best wishes to all of my CFIDS sisters and brothers! ... Read more

Product Description
This text demonstrates how the patient-centred clinical method can assist clinicians to learn how to diagnose this complex psychosocial disorder. It addresses the central concern of the patient and their illness experience in addition to the biomedical issues of care. It examines the validity of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and explores the problems faced in addressing this illness. It also provides patient-centred perspectives as an approach to better understanding of the symptoms, its origins, consequences and meanings for the patient and the management of the condition. ... Read more

Product Description
. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

How to abuse disabled children 101
Trudie Chalder is a mental nurse who presents her anti-scientific views on ME/CFIDS here. These views have been throughly discredited and shown to cause tremendous iatrogenic morbidity. Shameful. ... Read more

Product Description
Make use of botanical options in the treatment of CFS!

Herbal therapy has gained widespread recognition in the world of health care. Herbal derivatives including aspirin, reserpine, and digitalis are mainstays of human pharmacology. Now, for the first time, Phytotherapy of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Evidence-Based and Potentially Useful Botanicals in the Treatment of CFS presents information about the uses of herbal medications for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, and it does so in language accessible to a broad audience. This vital, up-to-date work discusses the potential and proven CFS-related benefits and adverse effects of well-known botanicals such as echinacea, gingko, ginseng, St. John’s wort, and garlic, as well as many lesser known herbs such as erkang and hedgehog hydnum.

Phytotherapy of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome summarizes the knowledge and experience garnered from published case reports, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses on the use of herbal medicine, emphasizing the herbs most often used in the treatment of fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, and related disorders. Potential applications and pharmacological interactions of herbal products that have not been subjected to clinical trials for the treatment of fatigue are also addressed.

Phytotherapy of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome thoroughly discusses the effects of various botanicals on CFS-related aspects of the following specialties:

• Allergy/Immunology
• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology/Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Oncology
• Neurology
• Psychiatry

Customer Reviews (1)

A useful resource for general research on medicinal botanicals
In spite of its title, this brief overview of botanical treatments does not, for the most part, cite evidence-based research that has specific bearing on CFS. Rather, Patarca-Montero limits himself to botanicals that might "potentially" have an effect on CFS symptoms. Given the range and breadth of CFS-related symptoms, "potential" treatments could theoretically encompass nearly all botanicals. Not surprisingly, given the lack of funding dedicated to CFS research, the overwhelming majority of studies Patarca-Montero cites concern other diseases and conditions: cancer, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's, heart disease, hepatitis, and so forth.

Patarca-Montero begins the book with a short introduction explaining some of the pitfalls of herbal treatment: lack of standardization in herbal preparations, the use of multiple herb combinations in a single treatment, the presence of contaminants, and possible unforeseen interactions between the complex components of botanicals. What Patarca does not mention, but should have, is that because of the multiple immune system abnormalities found in CFS patients, none of the herbs mentioned in this book will have predictable effects. As with pharmaceuticals, a CFS patient may respond to botanicals with paradoxical reactions; a "calming" herb may produce a bout of hyperactivity and insomnia, an immune system "regulator" may produce anaphylaxis. The truth is that even well constructed scientific studies are fairly useless as a guide to treatment, unless the focus of the investigation is CFS itself.

By far, the most useful part of this book lies not in the text, but in the Notes section. With his usual thoroughness, Patarca-Montero has cited a plethora of articles--434, to be precise. If you are reading this monograph to secure a greater understanding of the effects of botanicals in vitro, or upon rats, or on various other illnesses, then the Notes section will provide you with a valuable resource. However, if you are looking for useful herbal remedies for CFS, you had best look elsewhere. ... Read more

Product Description

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common and disabling condition characterised by fatigue, muscle pain, sleep disturbances and other physical and psychological symptoms that cause a considerable amount of distress and suffering. This book provides a practical guide for clinicians on how to treat chronic fatigue syndrome using cognitive behaviour therapy approaches.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome attempts to make sense of the illness, and describes how cognitive behavioural therapy can help patients by working with their environment, emotions, and behaviour to improve their physical condition. Topics covered include:

• principles of cognitive behavioural therapy
• assessing patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
• helping patients with emotional issues and other maintenance factors
• using cognitive behavioural therapy alongside other approaches.

Aimed at practitioners, this book will provide essential guidance for cognitive behavioural therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other clinicians who work in this rapidly expanding field.

Product Description
In March 2001, the National Institutes of Health issued the following warning: "The number of Web sites offering health-related resources grows every day. Many sites provide valuable information, while others may have information that is unreliable or misleading."Furthermore, because of the rapid increase in Internet-based information, many hours can be wasted searching, selecting, and printing.This book was created for medical professionals, students, and members of the general public who want to conduct medical research using the most advanced tools available and spending the least amount of time doing so. ... Read more