Customise Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorised as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyse the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Nancy Rose, 67, dealing with lingering effects of COVID-19, takes a moment during desk organization in Port Jefferson, N.Y., Jan. 25, 2022. Despite improvement post-vaccination, Rose still battles fatigue and memory challenges. Recent data from the CDC, released Dec. 8, 2023, suggests 3.3 million Americans, possibly including long COVID cases, grapple with chronic fatigue syndrome — a figure surpassing earlier estimates. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)


December 9, 2023

In a significant development, health officials have unveiled the first nationally representative estimate of U.S. adults grappling with chronic fatigue syndrome, revealing that approximately 3.3 million individuals are affected. This figure, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surpasses earlier studies' suggestions, with some of the rise attributed to patients experiencing lingering fatigue from long COVID. Dr. Elizabeth Unger of the CDC emphasized that chronic fatigue is not a rare ailment, challenging previous assumptions.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by at least six months of severe exhaustion that persists despite bed rest. Patients also report pain, cognitive difficulties, and exacerbated symptoms after physical activity, but there is currently no cure or quick diagnostic method such as a blood test or scan.

The elusive nature of the condition has confounded researchers, with its roots speculated to lie in the body's prolonged reaction to an infection or other immune system disruptions. Nearly four decades ago, the syndrome gained attention when clusters of cases emerged in Nevada and New York. At that time, dismissive attitudes prevailed, labeling it as "yuppie flu" and attributing it to psychological factors.

Despite progress, some physicians still hold skeptical views. Patients, like 26-year-old Hannah Powell from Utah, have faced dismissive attitudes, with misdiagnoses of anxiety and depression lasting for years.

The CDC's latest report draws on a survey of 57,000 U.S. adults conducted in 2021 and 2022. Participants were asked if they had ever been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome, with approximately 1.3% responding affirmatively to both questions, translating to 3.3 million U.S. adults.

Contrary to long-standing perceptions that the syndrome predominantly affects affluent white women, the findings indicate a less pronounced gap between women and men. Additionally, the prevalence among Black individuals was almost on par with white individuals, and there was a higher reported incidence among lower-income individuals compared to their wealthier counterparts.

Dr. Brayden Yellman of the Bateman Horne Center in Salt Lake City suggested that historical misperceptions may arise from diagnosed patients having better access to healthcare and being more readily believed when reporting symptoms.

While the report has limitations, relying on patients' recollections without medical record verification, experts argue that the true number of chronic fatigue syndrome cases is likely higher. Dr. Daniel Clauw from the University of Michigan highlighted the reluctance to diagnose the syndrome due to the lack of approved drugs and treatment guidelines in the U.S.

The inclusion of some long COVID patients in the tally further complicates the landscape, as both conditions share similarities. Dr. Yellman believes they represent the same illness, but long COVID is more widely accepted among medical professionals and diagnosed more promptly.

Hannah Powell, one of Dr. Yellman's patients, faced a prolonged struggle with chronic fatigue but eventually found stability through treatment. However, she still encounters challenges in receiving understanding and care, often resorting to citing long COVID for quicker belief and acknowledgment in medical settings.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Fungal Infections becoming Resistant to Treatment, WHO Issues Urgent Warning

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over drug-resistant fungal infections, warning that some treatments are no longer effective.....

Kennedy’s HHS Overhaul Puts Addiction Treatment At Risk

A major shakeup in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could lead to the weakening—or even elimination—of....

Deadly Fungal Superbug Candida Auris Spreads Rapidly in Hospitals

A dangerous fungal superbug, Candida auris (C. auris), is rapidly spreading in hospitals and nursing homes, raising serious public health....

Researchers in Limbo as Columbia Caves to Trump’s Demands for $400M

Columbia University is facing intense scrutiny after agreeing to strict policy changes to regain $400 million in federal funding revoked....

U.S. Cuts LGBTQ Health Research Funding, Sparking Outrage

The Trump administration has abruptly canceled dozens of federal grants supporting research on LGBTQ health, drawing criticism from scientists and....

Canada Expands Dental Care Plan Ahead of Expected Election

Millions of uninsured Canadians will soon have access to affordable dental care as the federal government expands its Canadian Dental....

Diffabilities YEG Fights Stigma On World Down Syndrome Day

An Edmonton-based organization, Diffabilities YEG, hosted a special event on Friday to mark World Down Syndrome Day. The event aimed....

Bella Ramsey Opens Up About Autism Diagnosis: "It Was Liberating"

Bella Ramsey, known for their Emmy-nominated role in The Last of Us, recently revealed their autism diagnosis. In an interview....

Measles Cases Double in Alberta as Vaccination Rates Decline

Measles, once considered eradicated in Canada, is making a troubling comeback in Alberta. The number of confirmed cases has nearly....

Slushy Drinks Could Make Kids Sick—Experts Warn!

Researchers have warned that children under the age of 8 should avoid slushy ice drinks containing glycerol. This comes after....

Alberta Government Lawyers Defend Youth Gender-Affirming Care Ban In Court

Alberta's controversial transgender law returned to court on Tuesday, with government lawyers defending it as a science-based measure designed to....

Utah Becomes First U.S. State to Ban Fluoride in Public Water

Utah is making history by becoming the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water. Despite opposition from dentists....