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Sacramento CFS Seminar Drew Record Crowd
Sacramento, California lived up to its reputation by providing sunny, warm weather for 275 patients, caregivers and health care providers members attending the Association’s Education and Empowerment seminar on October 28 at KVIE Public Television Station. This “kNOw MORE CFS” seminar, the fourth in a series and the largest to date, featured respected CFS experts Dr. Leonard Jason of DePaul University and Dr. Charles Lapp of the Hunter-Hopkins Clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina.
During his presentation, “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – What it is, What it isn’t?” Dr. Jason discussed what he and his research group have learned about the history of CFS, how it can be differentiated from other medical conditions with similar symptoms and its prevalence among adults in the United States. Dr. Jason also reviewed the current U.S. and Canadian Case Definitions, noting how prevalence rates of CFS often change when different diagnostic criteria are used.
Addressing the audience from a clinical perspective, Dr. Lapp presented information on “Feeling Better: Clinical Strategies for CFS and FM Management.” Focusing on four key symptoms of the illnesses: sleep disruption, pain, cognitive dysfunction and fatigue and post-exertional malaise, Dr. Lapp offered suggestions on how patients can better manage their illness by combining symptom-specific medications with improved sleep hygiene and balancing limited activity with rest.
The presenters' wealth of knowledge, compassion and humor kept audience members captivated throughout the 3 ½ hour conference which included a 70-minute question and answer period. At the conclusion of the seminar, both speakers continued talking with attendees, patiently answering any additional questions. After all, it was why participants came – to listen, to be heard and to be validated.
The next seminar will be held in New Jersey in March 2007. To receive details on the upcoming conference, send an e-mail to cfids@cfids.org.
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