What the Coronavirus Teaches Us About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
As more and more people suffer from “long-haul coronavirus,” interest in research for myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) grows. Finally, scientists want to answer the question:
“Why, exactly, [can] a viral illness can last forever?”
What Are ‘Long-Haulers?’
After contracting the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), about 10% of coronavirus patients suffer lasting symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog, and chronic pain for months on end. If these so-called “long-haulers” have symptoms that continue for 6 months or longer, they will meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. Most people with existing ME/CFS also developed their condition after suffering viral infections. Imagine having a cold or flu that never goes away – that’s what approximately 2.5 million Americans deal with every day.
A ‘Contested Illness’
ME/CFS is known in the medical community as a “contested illness,” which means some medical professionals do not believe the condition exists at all. As such, people with ME/CFS have a difficult time securing a diagnosis and treatment. With the COVID-19 pandemic, however, thousands of people are exhibiting the symptoms of ME/CFS, sparking renewed interest and research dollars within the medical and scientific communities.
Because COVID-19 is a closely monitored virus, doctors and scientists cannot pretend long-haul coronavirus does not exist. If they take this condition seriously and make the connection with ME/CFS, science may get to the bottom of both conditions and find out why, for some people, a simple viral infection lingers for decades.
Group Support
While thousands of people developing a chronic condition at the same time is nothing short of a tragedy, people with ME/CFS have rarely had others understand what they are going through. Now, long-haulers have the attention and support of the entire United States. This large group of patients is also an opportunity for studies, and many long-haulers have already volunteered.
As TIME puts it:
“Belief in long-haul coronavirus could translate to belief in other contested illnesses”
We Believe You
Many patients with ME/CFS are hopeful that the link between long-haul coronavirus and their condition will interrupt the long tradition of doubt and disbelief. While they are pleased by the attention currently pointed at ME/CFS, they wonder where that attention was for them.
One patient puts it best:
“’I’m very hopeful that this opens the door to more research,’ she says, ‘and [vindication for] all of us who got the flu and had a door closed on our lives.’”
At Dabdoub Law Firm, we want you to know that we believe you. For over 20 years, our firm has been helping clients with ME/CFS prove their medical conditions and access the time and resources they need to manage them. We have helped many people get short-term and long-term disability benefits to help with their ME/CFS, and we can help you, too!
Help from an Attorney with Expertise in Disability Insurance
Disability insurance law is complicated. If you are struggling to recover long-term disability benefits from your insurance company, you need to get help from a lawyer with expertise in disability law.
Why Us?
- Our lawyers specialize in disability insurance.
- Our lawyers have experience with UNUM, Hartford, CIGNA, Reliance Standard, and just about every other insurance company.
- Our lawyers have won tough disability insurance lawsuits.
- Our lawyers have recovered millions in disability benefits for clients who were wrongly denied.
Because federal law applies to most disability insurance claims, we do not have to be located in your state to help.
Dabdoub Law Firm represents clients nationwide with:
- Submitting disability insurance claims,
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Call us at (800) 969-0488 or contact us online to speak with a disability insurance attorney. No fees or costs unless clients are paid.
