Show Sleepiness may be more than you think by lisa Usa Keene Horizon feature Editor She was tested for mononucleosis She was tested for hepatitis She shelled out over on tests and every one of them came back negative Yet she still felt run-down run ill and compared waking up in the morning to coming out of anesthetic Andrea is like many people between the ages of 20 and 40 who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome This disease disease disease dis dis- dis- dis ease is also known as persistent persist persist- ent Epstein-Barr Epstein Virus Chronic Mononucleosis Syndrome Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Epstein Virus Infection and Yuppie Disease Symptoms vary widely from patient to patient The general pattern involves extreme fatigue aching memory loss and the inability to con con- Symptoms fluctuate in severity not only from month to month but from day to day Many more symptoms are involved which occur in all patients varying in numbers According to the National Chronic Epstein Barr Virus Syndrome Asso Association Inc newsletter these symptoms include Muscular weakness swollen lymph glands nausea diarrhea chest pain weight loss night sweats shortness of breath ir irregular irregular irregular ir- ir regular heartbeat swelling of eyelids or extremities rashes bladder liver and spleen disorders There are reports of headache dizziness dizziness dizziness ness and balance problems anxiety depression sleep disorders disorders disorders dis dis- dis- dis orders temporary paralyses numbness intolerance of al alcohol alcohol alcohol al- al cohol and sensitivity to heat and cold Some patients have phobias or mood changes There may be blurred vision inflammation of the iris or sensitivity to bright light Andrea experiences about half of these symptoms with fatigue and night sweats being the most severe Some nights I wake up in such a sweat that I have to get up and change my sheets and night clothes No one knows for sure what causes the virus since chronic illnesses can be the product of many factors including the body's response to illness Normally the virus causes no harm for it remains dormant in the body There is no cure so it remains throughout the persons person's life although the symptoms will seem to disappear disappear disappear pear for a period of time The only treatment for the virus is to work on each symptom one by one For example example example ex ex- ample plenty of rest and a proper diet may ease the fatigue symptom A reduction in stress may relieve the headaches and mood chan chan- Andrea is doing well now because she is on a strict diet of Sun rider products and she exercises regularly but only when she feels she has the she energy doesn't overexert overexert overexert over over- exert herself is contagious but not highly contagious According to the Syndrome AssO Association Association As As- sO Inc newsletter ter Most likely you alre already dy have been exposed to the Epstein- Epstein Barr Virus Whether you develop a chronic illness illness illness ill ill- ness depends on how your body deals with the virus Those in close contact with patients do not seem to develop any more frequently frequently frequently fre fre- fre- fre than anyone else does Relatives of the Epstein- Epstein Barr virus different members of the herpes family of viruses cause chicken chicken- chickenpox pox shingles cold sores genital lesions and other illnesses The Epstein-Barr Epstein virus which is carried in saliva and is not spread by sexual contact is found all over the world Andrea enjoys a normal life She is married and has three children No one in her family family ly has shown symptoms of the virus The prospects of a cure look good New viral anti-viral drugs are being investigated and research research research re re- re- re search on is in progress I The best relief for any virus patient is gaining the support of friends and family is becoming better known through the media congressional congressional congressional testimony the growth of support groups and an increasing increasing increasing in in- creasing number of articles in medical journals For more information write National Syndrome Association Association Association As As- Inc PO Box Portland OR I |