The facts, at last! (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME): the Facts - Michael Sharpe, Frankie Campling)

Member Name: mdp97jes

Product:	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME): the Facts - Michael Sharpe, Frankie Campling
Date:	09/01/02 (83 review reads)
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Advantages: easy to read, useful information

Disadvantages: none

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome The Facts
By Frankie Campling and Michael Sharpe
Oxford University Press
Latest Edition 2000
Paperback 278 pages
ISBN 0-19-263049-0
The Recommended Retail Price is £9-99

This book gives practical advice about ME/CFS, it is well written and easy to follow, with summaries at the end of each chapter.

It is divided into three sections, which are further divided into chapters;

Section 1 Chronic Fatigue It's Nature, Diagnosis and Treatment, includes chapters on what ME is, how it is diagnosed, associated conditions, research, treatment and myths about ME. At the begining there is a discussion of the many names that ME is and has been called and explanations for the names. There is a description of fatigue and how it is very different from the kind of fatigue that most people experience from time to time. The reader is assured that although test results come back negative, they do have a real illness and one that should be taken seriously.

Section 2 The Idea of Self Help, includes balancing rest and activity, appropriate exercise, improving sleep, pain, nutrition, concentration and employment. As there is currently no know cure for ME/CFS, the onus is very much on self help. The authors advocate a pacing method and a well balanced diet as the main ways of helping yourself.

Section 3 Special Issues, medical and alternative therapies, cognitive behaviour and graded exercise therapy, children with ME/CFS.

There is also a very good medical glossary to help you understand the medical terms Drs may use when speaking to you about your ME.

Frankie Campling is an ME sufferer and Michael Sharpe is a lecturer and consultant in psychological medicine, and runs clinics for CFS/ME sufferers.

The book meets it aims by;

Explaining what ME/CFS is and how it is diagnosed

Providing research information on causes and treatment

Helping rea
ders to evaluate new findings and claims about ME/CFS

Helping patients and carers make informed decisions about treatment

Offering practical guidance for self help.

I would recommend this book to any ME/CFS sufferer and their carers and also to the medical profession.

Chronic fatigue The Facts has been recommended by the British Medical Journal.

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