As the medical director of a diagnostic laboratory, Dr. Dennis Hooper investigates the details of many diseases. For example, Dr. Dennis Hooper maintains a research interest in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Marked by extreme fatigue with no clear explanation, CFS's definite causes remain unknown. Some people present with CFS after contracting viral infections, including murine leukemia viruses (which have been found to cause cancer in mice), Epstein-Barr viruses (which cause mono), and human herpesvirus 6 (which has been linked to multiple sclerosis and seizure disorders), leading researchers to speculate that these viruses may trigger CFS in some patients. Another possible link involves having a slightly compromised immune system or unusually high levels of hormones. Environmental factors, such as exposure to mold, may also trigger the disorder.
Researchers have identified some risk factors. Although CFS can strike at any time, most patients are in their 40s and 50s. Far more women than men have been diagnosed, but this may simply indicate that women are more likely to report symptoms to their doctors. Persons who have difficulty managing stress may also be susceptible.
Marked by extreme fatigue with no clear explanation, CFS's definite causes remain unknown. Some people present with CFS after contracting viral infections, including murine leukemia viruses (which have been found to cause cancer in mice), Epstein-Barr viruses (which cause mono), and human herpesvirus 6 (which has been linked to multiple sclerosis and seizure disorders), leading researchers to speculate that these viruses may trigger CFS in some patients. Another possible link involves having a slightly compromised immune system or unusually high levels of hormones. Environmental factors, such as exposure to mold, may also trigger the disorder.
Researchers have identified some risk factors. Although CFS can strike at any time, most patients are in their 40s and 50s. Far more women than men have been diagnosed, but this may simply indicate that women are more likely to report symptoms to their doctors. Persons who have difficulty managing stress may also be susceptible.