Have you ever heard of Long COVID and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? These are two health problems that doctors and scientists are trying to understand better.
Both illnesses make people very tired and unwell, and unfortunately, there are no approved tests or treatments yet.
The cost of these illnesses
These conditions don’t just affect the people who have them; they also cost a lot of money. Every year, they cost the United States billions of dollars in medical expenses and lost work.
Searching for Answers
Some smart scientists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, the Mailman School of Public Health, and Vagelos College decided to dig deeper.
They wanted to figure out what might be causing the symptoms in both conditions and if they might be related.
The Review Study
These scientists worked together to read and understand 559 scientific papers about these illnesses. Then, they compared the symptoms of both conditions and found they are very similar.
They also discovered that both conditions seem to involve abnormalities – or things that aren’t working correctly – in the same body systems.
These include the brain, immune system, heart, lungs, gut, and energy metabolism (how our bodies use energy).
A Road Map for Research
Dr. Anthony L. Komaroff, one of the senior scientists on the team, said their review serves as a “road map.” It helps point out which areas need more research.
By comparing the two illnesses, they hope to help other scientists know where to look for better tests and treatments.
Their work was published in a science journal called Frontiers in Medicine.
In Conclusion
Long COVID and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are tricky illnesses that scientists are still trying to figure out.
But thanks to this team of researchers, we now know that they have a lot in common. This finding might help us find ways to diagnose and treat these conditions in the future.
Isn’t it fascinating how much we can learn by comparing different things?
Just like how looking at a map can help us find our way, comparing these two illnesses could help us find answers to some big health questions.
If you care about COVID, please read studies about how vitamin B may help fight COVID-19, and new therapy from bananas may help treat COVID-19.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about the amazing benefits of beets for diabetes, blood pressure, and nerves, and results showing Vitamin C may help treat heart rhythm problems.
The study was published in Frontiers in Medicine.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
