50 Things You Should Know About the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Epidemic [Mass Market Paperback]

Neenyah Ostrom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1993

In the beginning, it was called the Yuppie Flu and Epstein-Barr Syndrome. One doctor calls it "AIDS minor."

12 million Americans have been stricken by it, yet few of us know the truth about the mysterious ailment that attacks the immune system and leaves its victims totally incapacitated.

Neenyah Ostrom, author of What Really Killed Gilda Radner? Frontline Reports on the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Epidemic probes all the facts and answers questions about today's most misunderstood syndrome:

* What causes it?
* Is it contagious?
* Is it a form of AIDS?
* Can it lead to cancer?
* Can children get it?
* What is the government doing about it?
* And much more

Simple. Readable. Understandable. In depth. 50 Things You Should Know About the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Epidemic gives you a quick but thorough look at a disease that threatens us all.

Exclusive update for this edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ostrom ( What Really Killed Gilda Radner? Frontline Reports on the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Epidemic ) here presents many disturbing issues and concerns about chronic fatigue syndrome, a poorly understood constellation of symptoms affecting Americans, both children and adults. Claiming that this syndrome has reached epidemic levels, she presents an assortment of studies and views seeking to answer why the condition, in her reckoning, has been largely ignored by the government and frequently misdiagnosed by the medical profession. Unfortunately, Ostrom, who has covered the continuing CFS story for the New York Native , seems preoccupied with pushing her own theories (e.g., that the syndrome is related to the African swine fever), calling on research that some will consider dated, and linking the AIDS epidemic with CFS. Without a doubt, we still have much to learn about chronic fatigue syndrome; research is ongoing. But Ostrom seems to mislead by emphasizing questionable findings, making inflammatory statements and espousing the unconfirmed CFS-AIDS connection.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (February 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312950438
• ISBN-13: 978-0312950439
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,146,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Making SENSE of the fibroyalgia/chronic fatigue epidemic, March 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 50 Things You Should Know About the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Epidemic (Mass Market Paperback)

I found the author made perfect sense -- although I've heard criticisms that she is rather "radical."

She draws parallels between Fibromyalgia (FMS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and AIDS by discussing the scientific evidence. There are common chemical markers in the blood, etc.

Fascinating reading!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Read at your own risk..., July 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: 50 Things You Should Know About the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Epidemic (Mass Market Paperback)

This book contains SOME interesting, appropriate and correct information. However, the majority of it is out-dated and alarmist by nature. Based on my recent research, CFIDS is not the same thing as AIDS (although it appears she was hoping for more research funding if the association stuck), and it can not be caught from someone like the common cold. And I've never read that you can give it to your pet as is suggested in this book! I would not give this book to my family or friends to help them understand CFIDS.

You had better know about this condition BEFORE you venture into this book.

2.0 out of 5 stars A good idea that's out-of-date, January 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: 50 Things You Should Know About the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Epidemic (Paperback)

Neenyah Ostrom's "50 Things You Should Know abouy the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Epidemic" contains some good information; unfortunately, even with the Update section, it's badly out-of-date. A number of the statements made as fact have since been disproven or contradicted by research done in the 10 years since the books publication, and a number the blanket statements made are just plain wrong. This book could needlessly frighten someone just diagnosed with CFS. A similar book(1-2 page sections, easy reading) with updated information and more careful wording would be helpful to the general public and to those of us with CFS(I've had it for 5 years now); there are many good books available with more accurate & helpful information. My favorite is Dr. David Bell's "The Doctor's Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome"; while the section on possible causes is dated, the rest of the book is excellent: thoughtful, accurate, and helpful.