CFS HealthWatch Treatment & Research News March 14, 2007
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS · Transfer factors: Immune 'sticky notes'   · Sleep support 'secrets' for ME/CFS   · Clever ways to cheer a friend who's ill   · Questions about pain, pain therapies?   · All can lobby for CFS awareness May 15
THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL NEW PRODUCTS CHROMIUM PICOLINATE - Promote a balanced appetite L-TRYPTOPHAN - For improved sleep, mood support and to reduce stress ALCIS - Pain relief cream HEART RATE MONITOR - Accurate tracking during exercise FIBRONOL - Supports sleep FIBROBOOST - Supports sleep - Extra energy boost FEELBRIGHTLIGHT - Full spectrum light for Seasonal Affective Disorder BOOKS - Research & information Informational DVD's The Joy of Nutrition An optimum nutrient food program I Remember Me An award-winning documentary film Fibromyalgia: Show Me Where It Hurts An invaluable educational tool HIGHEST RATED BRAIN Neuro B-12 DETOXIFICATION Guaifenesin FA DIGESTION ImmunPlex™ Vanilla ENERGY NADH IMMUNE Moducare MOOD 5-HTP PAIN Alcis SLEEP ZMA™ WEIGHT CONTROL L-Carnitine Most Popular for Energy Support Enada NADH	Founder's Corner Why Do ME/CFS & FM Share the Same Awareness Day? Have you noticed that May 12 is International Awareness Day for both ME/CFS and FMS? The reason for the shared date lies in a bit of history. In 1992 ME/CFS patient and advocate Tom Hennessy proposed that May 12 be designated as "International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND)" - a day to speak out and demand that governments respond to these devastating illnesses. It was an idea that galvanized the patient and advocate communities and has gained momentum ever since. CIND is an umbrella term that includes Gulf War Syndrome and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome as well as ME/CFS and FMS. These, Hennessy reasoned, are all "characterized by cognitive problems, chronic muscle and joint pain, extremely poor stamina," and more; are potentially very debilitating; "afflict people around the world in alarming numbers"; and above all are often "dismissed by the medical profession as...psychosomatic illness." And why this date - May 12? It marks the birthday of Florence Nightingale - a British healthcare reformer (1820-1910) who broke the trail for modern hygienic, compassionate medical care and public health, served the wounded gallantly during the Crimean war, and became known as the founder of modern nursing. But in addition to being one of the greatest change-makers in all of medical history, Florence Nightingale suffered the latter half of her life often bedridden with an unidentified CINDs-like syndrome. Various groups diagnose her illness in hindsight as either FMS or ME/CFS. But for all, she is a worthy hero. Hoping you'll find a way to lend your voice to this Awareness Day, Rich Carson, CFS Patient and ProHealth Founder Please rate this Founder's Corner Features Transfer Factor and the Importance of a Healthy Immune System Dr. Aaron White, PhD, became fascinated with the immune-support potential of Transfer Factor supplements when he began doing research to "understand what was happening to a friend with CFIDS." Now he offers a whole website on the supporting science.   more Sleep is Vital for Health - In CFS Do you close out and avoid even the tiniest source of light when you turn in? Do you know which natural preparations to try for better sleep? CFS specialist Dr. Sarah Myhill, MD, shares the advice she offers her own patients.*   more Book of the Month Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically ill Friend This little book for a little price is a jewel, filled with clever, practical ideas for cheering the chronically ill and laid-up. You and your support group or church group will find it hard to resist.   more Available for purchase at Amazon.com Health Management Resources Questions About Pain? The Doctor Is In Did you know there's a website where pain management specialists will personally answer patients' questions about pain, pain therapies, and drugs?*   more CFS in the News Participate in CFIDS Association Lobby Day - May 15 By joining your voice with others, you can fight more effectively to increase the amount and quality of CFS research.   more Research Update Quercetin Gets High Grade in Defense Department-Funded Trial A "groundbreaking" clinical trial funded by the DOD indicates the plant-based antioxidant supplement quercetin can support reduced viral infections and maintain mental function in individuals subjected to extreme physical stress.   more Letters From Our Readers The Letter of the Week Message Board Keeps Dreams Alive This week's letter of the week was written by Denise Breslin. Denise wins a $25 gift certificate for ProHealth supplements. Comments & Suggestions Antiviral treatment & diet help Large print not large enough More talk about Lyme needed Another opinion on mercury More people should talk about Lyme Q & A Session Looking for Info on Depranyl® What happened to CFIDS? Need info on Guaifenesin Protocol Need emergency intervention What should I say to my doctor? Seeking Sytrinol® studies Please share your thoughts with us! CFS Research Abstracts FM-related Reports Anxiety, not immune deregulation, linked to low alpha-delta sleep in CFS The problem of fatigue and its treatment in neurological disorders CFS & MS may share common mechanisms for the formation of fatigue Russian study of 'smart drug' Fezam® for fatigue, depression in MS & CFS Non-drug Health Studies Research "provides clear rationale for the use of probiotics" in IBS How alpha-lipoic acid supports reduced risk of pre-diabetes syndrome Sleep deficits = hippocampal deficits = memory-forming deficits* Association between chronic genital pain and FM, CFS, IBS* French review knocks duloxetine's safety & efficacy for depression/pain* Most PCPs not sufficiently trained to diagnose cause of lower back pain* Weekly Inspiration Where do we keep all our chainsaws, Mom? - Calvin & Hobbes Rx: Laughter One prescription for healing and taking our mind off our pain is laughter. When we think back to the last time we really laughed, chances are we remember feeling good inside and experiencing minimal pain. If we can't feel those things today, chances are we need a dose of laughter. In time we will not only be healing our souls and paying less attention to our pain, we will also be learning how to take life less seriously. We will come to know humor where there was once pain, and healing where there was bitterness. Have we discovered what laughter can do for us? From Living With Chronic Pain One Day At A Time, by Mark Allan Zabawa About ImmuneSupport.com Published by ProHealth, Inc., ImmuneSupport.com is the Web's largest resource for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Since 1988, ProHealth has raised and donated over 2.61 million dollars to CFS and FM research and advocacy groups seeking a cure. We believe in "commerce with compassion." Every purchase made at ImmuneSupport.com funds research - as does every purchase made from ProHealth's Health Resource catalog. Visit ImmuneSupport.com Our Mission: Empower patients to take control of their health by providing research & treatment information, advocacy & targeted health products. more If you have any comments, suggestions or ideas, please let us know. We will assume that we have your authorization to share your letter with other readers unless you instruct us not to do so. Send Us Your Feedback
* Note: This article first appeared in last week's FM Edition of CFS & FM HealthWatch (March 7, 2007)