Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

September 1, 2015
Ali, a TV talk-show guest and author of Understanding Pain (2015) and other guides for patients and caregivers focusing on lung cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, obesity, arthritis, and diabetes, now presents an in-depth look at chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Though a disclaimer states that this is not intended as a medical manual and is meant to assist readers in making informed choices, some sections are extremely technical. In discussing Fatigue and the Human Body, for example, Ali writes that musculoskeletal fatigue occurs when the energy needed cannot be provided and there are transmission disruptions from the neuromuscular transmission to the actin-myosin cross bridging. Seriously comprehensive, this volume covers the basics (including CFS naming issues), the clinical picture, CFS' many faces, and various approaches toward resolution. The back matter includes a glossary; five appendixes, from clinics to further reading; copious endnotes; and a bibliography. Best for collections strong on health sciences.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)