CHICAGO, May 29, 2012 \/PRNewswire\/ -- The International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS\/ME), the largest group of physicians and researchers dedicated to chronic fatigue syndrome\/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS\/ME), has released updated care guidelines directed at primary care physicians and other health care providers. The document, \"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Primer for Clinical Practitioners,\" can be accessed at: http:\/\/www.iacfsme.org\/Home\/Primer\/tabid\/509\/Default.aspx<\/a> <\/p>\n \"CFS\/ME affects at least one million people in the US yet up to 80% of them have not yet been diagnosed. Medical providers are often uncomfortable diagnosing and treating these patients and patients tell us that they frequently have difficulty finding a knowledgeable physician. We hope that the Primer will help solve these problems,\" states Dr. Fred Friedberg, IACFS\/ME President. <\/p>\n The Primer highlights areas that have not been emphasized in the past including: <\/p>\n CFS\/ME commonly strikes healthy people following a flu-like illness, leaving them with severe exhaustion, muscle pain, joint pain and memory and concentration problems among many other symptoms. The term \"CFS\" is most commonly used in the United States while other countries may use \"ME\" instead. People of both sexes and all ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds can become ill. Sufferers are often more functionally impaired than people with heart failure, multiple sclerosis or HIV. Because the cause of CFS\/ME has not yet been discovered, no one knows how to prevent or effectively treat the illness, meaning many patients are disabled for decades. According to a 2008 DePaul University study, CFS\/ME drains $18-24 billion annually from the U.S. economy due to decreased work productivity, lost tax revenue, increased health care expenditures, and disability payments. <\/p>\n Founded in 1990, IACFS\/ME is an international scientific organization comprised of researchers, clinicians, advocates, patients, and other stakeholders. The mission of IACFS\/ME is to promote, stimulate, and coordinate the exchange of ideas related to CFS, ME, and fibromyalgia research, patient care, and treatment. For more information, visit http:\/\/www.iacfsme.org<\/a> <\/p>\n Contact Information: Dr. Fred Friedberg President, IACFS\/ME (www.iacfsme.org) 631-632-8252 fred.friedberg@stonybrookmedicine.org<\/a> <\/p>\n This press release was issued through eReleases Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http:\/\/www.ereleases.com<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n View post: <\/p>\n Scientific Organization Releases Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Guidelines to Educate Health Care Providers<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CHICAGO, May 29, 2012 \/PRNewswire\/ -- The International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (IACFS\/ME), the largest group of physicians and researchers dedicated to chronic fatigue syndrome\/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS\/ME), has released updated care guidelines directed at primary care physicians and other health care providers. The document, \"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Primer for Clinical Practitioners,\" can be accessed at: http:\/\/www.iacfsme.org\/Home\/Primer\/tabid\/509\/Default.aspx<\/a> \"CFS\/ME affects at least one million people in the US yet up to 80% of them have not yet been diagnosed. Continue reading