New Study Provides Insight Into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as a myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a medical condition characterized by chronic, long-term fatigue and low energy levels. While statistics vary, some experts estimate that one to two million Americans suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. With that said, little known is about the causes or mechanics of this condition. In fact, some people argue that it doesn't exist at all; rather, the symptoms are manifested by the individuals who suffer from it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 90% of people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome have not been diagnosed. This is troubling considering that proper diagnosis is essential to provide individuals with the best treatment and care

In an effort to better understand chronic fatigue syndrome, researchers from Stanford University conducted a study on the condition. For the study, they analyzed blood samples of individuals suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome and compared those samples with the blood of individuals who weren't suffering from this condition. So, what did they discover? After analyzing samples from both the chronic fatigue syndrome group and the control group, researchers found that individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome had higher levels of inflammatory protein known as cytokines. What's more, individuals with high levels of cytokines typically experienced more severe chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.

These findings led researchers to conclude that there's a correlation between chronic fatigue syndrome and the presence/levels of cytokines in the blood. If individuals who suffer from the condition have higher levels of cytokines than their counterparts, it's safe to assume something is happening in their bodies. Perhaps this study may one day lead to new and improved treatment options. For now, however, it helps to confirm the belief that chronic fatigue syndrome is a real condition and not just made up.

When speaking about the findings, study leader Jose Montoya, M.D., explained that chronic fatigue syndrome is a real condition with real effects.

“I have seen the horrors of this disease, multiplied by hundreds of patients,” said the study's lead researcher and and author in a statement. “It’s been observed and talked about for 35 years now, sometimes with the onus of being described as a psychological condition. But chronic fatigue syndrome is by no means a figment of the imagination. This is real.”

Researchers hope these findings will help confirm what countless people say: chronic fatigue syndrome is real.