Sunday, July 5, 2026
M.E.: Lives devastated - and sufferers told it's made up
For years many doctors believed M.E. - the long term neurological condition which causes debilitating pain and fatigue - was “all in the mind” of those who were suffering.
That means many of the 250,000 people in the UK estimated to have the disease have struggled to find appropriate medical care.
There's no known cure, and a new government plan to deliver improved treatment and research which was promised by the end of last year, has yet to materialise.
Friday, July 3, 2026
Not All Sleep Is Restorative — What to Know About Improving Your Rest
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| https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep/restorative-sleep |
If you woke up this morning feeling rested and refreshed, you probably got what’s called restorative sleep.
In basic terms, restorative sleep happens when brain activity during sleep helps restore your body and mind, essentially resetting you for another day of activity.
Although experts continue to study what happens during sleep, they’ve found evidence to suggest your body and brain accomplish a lot during shut-eye, including muscle repair, protein synthesis, and tissue growth.
Not getting enough restorative sleep can affect your health, not to mention your ability to function during the day.
In this article, we offer more insight into what happens when you don’t get enough restorative sleep, plus tips on getting quality shut-eye.
Restorative vs. nonrestorative sleep
Only the last two stages of sleep, deep sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, are considered restorative, Nicole Avena, PhD, assistant professor of neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, told Healthline.
“During deep sleep, the body repairs and regrows tissue, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens the immune system,” Avena said.
REM sleep, the stage where you typically dream, is essential for learning, memory, and cognition.
Sleep is nonrestorative when you wake up feeling unrefreshed despite having slept the recommended number of hours.
Avena explains that while feeling a little tired from time to time is normal, regularly feeling so tired you can’t focus or find yourself falling asleep at your desk is not.
What causes nonrestorative sleep?
Conditions that can cause nonrestorative sleep include:
- insomnia
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- restless leg syndrome
- sleep apnea
- narcolepsy
- lung disease
Keep in mind, though, that when you have trouble getting quality sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed, underlying health concerns aren’t necessarily to blame.
Life stressors can also impair your ability to get a good night’s rest, as can poor sleep hygiene, Avena said. Both can contribute to nonrestorative sleep.
Other things that can disrupt your regular sleep cycle include:
- shift work
- jet lag
- having young children
- providing regular care for someone with an illness
- anxiety
- chronic pain
- certain medications
- hot flashes from menopause
- alcohol
- caffeine
What happens when you don’t get enough restorative sleep?
Not getting enough restorative sleep can affect your health in a variety of ways.
Short-term consequences include:
- difficulty getting through the day without dozing off
- trouble with memory
- problems with concentration and focus
Over time, poor sleep can also factor into chronic conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Regular nonrestorative sleep can even affect mental health and contribute to depression and other mental health conditions, said Avena.
Additionally, one 2020 study involving 2,827 Chinese teens suggests a link between not getting enough restorative sleep and lower quality of life.
Adults should get at least 7 hours of sleep per night, ideally going through four to five sleep cycles.
As you get older, your chances of developing a sleep disorder or experiencing poorer quality sleep tend to increase.
According to the American Psychological Association, research suggests that as you age, you’re more likely to develop conditions or experience stressors that lead to sleep troubles, which can, in turn, decrease the time you spend in deep or REM sleep.
Increasing restorative sleep
If you’ve ever struggled to fall asleep, you’re probably aware that dozing off and staying asleep for the ideal 8 hours is often a lot more complicated than it sounds.
Still, a few small changes can make it easier to get the amount of restorative sleep you need on a regular basis.
Improve your sleep hygiene
Sleep hygiene doesn’t mean showering before bed — though if that’s what helps you fall asleep, go for it.
Rather, sleep hygiene refers to habits that contribute to quality sleep.
Stress relief
Ever found yourself lying awake, worrying about the problems that popped up during the day or the challenges tomorrow has yet to reveal?
You’re not alone in the least. Stress is common, and high levels of stress can have a negative impact on your sleep.
You may not be able to completely cut all sources of stress from your life, but finding ways to better manage it can go a long way toward helping you get more restorative sleep.
A few coping strategies to consider:
- yoga
- meditation before bed
- talking with a therapist
Practice good self-care
Taking care of your physical health can also lead to better sleep.
Avena recommends:
- getting regular exercise
- staying hydrated
- eating a balanced diet
Melatonin supplements could also help you fall asleep faster and potentially get better sleep when taken at the correct time. It’s always a good idea to ask a doctor or pharmacist before trying melatonin. They can offer more guidance on whether it’s right for you.
When to see a healthcare professional
“Everybody feels tired sometimes, but excessive sleepiness isn’t normal,” Avena said.
It’s not always possible to address sleep problems yourself, especially when you have a sleep disorder.
So, if you’ve already tried a perfectly relaxing bedtime routine and still have trouble falling asleep — and staying awake during the day — it may be time to consider professional support.
Connecting with a primary care physician or a sleep specialist becomes even more important when you:
- doze off involuntarily throughout the day
- have problems remembering things or concentrating on tasks
- struggle to fall asleep
- can’t stay asleep
- snore loudly
- experience involuntary leg movements while sleeping
- notice symptoms of depression
Avena also recommends connecting with a sleep specialist if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or lung disease. These conditions may sometimes result from sleep apnea, a treatable but serious condition where you temporarily stop breathing during sleep.
Preparing for your appointment
Before meeting with a sleep specialist, Avena recommends writing out a list of your symptoms and any questions you have. That way, you won’t forget anything you want to bring up with your doctor during the appointment.
It’s also worth keeping a sleep diary in the week or so before your appointment. It can give your doctor more information about your sleeping patterns.
The bottom line
Trouble getting restful sleep on a regular basis can happen as a symptom of sleep disorders or other health conditions.
If restorative sleep regularly evades you, seeking professional support is a good next step.
Quality sleep doesn’t have to be the stuff of dreams. You can try these 17 tips to sleep better right now.
On Broadway in Vancouver. Spring of 2019.
Broadway is a major east-west thoroughfare in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In Vancouver's numbered avenue grid system, it runs in place of a 9th Avenue, between 8th and 10th. The street has six lanes for most of its course. Portions of the street carry the British Columbia Highway 7 designation.
The route begins as "West Broadway" at the intersection of Wallace Crescent and 8th Avenue, in the affluent residential neighbourhood of West Point Grey, a few kilometres east of the University of British Columbia (UBC). Past Alma Street, Broadway takes over from 10th Avenue as one of Vancouver's major thoroughfares, as it enters Greek West Broadway (or Greektown) section of Vancouver's Kitsilano district. East of here are several blocks of generally trendy, upscale shops interspersed with low-rise apartment blocks and small supermarkets. The surrounding neighbourhoods generally consist of large, older homes dating from the early twentieth century, many of which have been subdivided into rental suites.
As Broadway approaches Arbutus Street, the commercial establishments become larger before transitioning into a mix of small to mid-size apartment blocks. East of Burrard Street, the apartment blocks get progressively taller, and commercial establishments larger and busier. Between Burrard and Main Street, Broadway can be considerably congested by vehicular traffic. Past Granville Street, Broadway yields completely to medium-to-large commercial structures and high-rise apartments and condominiums. Between Cambie and Main, the commercial establishments become smaller and somewhat more downscale.
At Ontario Street, two blocks west of Main, the route becomes "East Broadway." After bisecting Main and Kingsway, traffic on Broadway eases somewhat, and the character returns to a mix of small-to-medium apartment buildings and commercial establishments, interspersed with older homes - all considerably less affluent than those to the west. At Commercial Drive, Broadway passes by the Commercial–Broadway SkyTrain Station. Past here for several blocks, the neighbourhood consists predominantly of older residential homes.
As Broadway travels east of Renfrew Street, the neighbourhood once again becomes mixed, with older homes to the north and larger industrial, commercial, and warehouse establishments to the south. Broadway finally ends at Cassiar Street, just short of the Vancouver-Burnaby boundary, where it becomes the Lougheed Highway.
Broadway was created at the turn of the 20th century, along with other gridded roads south of False Creek, to meet the needs of an expanding population in Vancouver. The name of the route was changed from 9th Avenue to Broadway in 1909, at the behest of merchants around Main Street (at that time the hub of Vancouver commerce), who felt that it bestowed a more cosmopolitan air. Commercial establishments originally spread out around the intersections of Cambie and Main Streets, while the character of the rest of the route remained predominantly single-family dwellings.
By the 1970s, the length of Broadway had become a major arterial route in Vancouver, conveying commuters from downtown to the neighbourhoods of the west and east sides. With the growth of UBC and the expansion of the Vancouver General Hospital (one block south of Broadway between approximately Oak and Cambie), traffic demands accelerated. In the 1990s, the agency then responsible for public transit in Greater Vancouver — BC Transit — introduced an express bus route, the 99 B-Line, to help reduce congestion. The Vancouver transportation plan for Broadway notes that congestion is such that the bus service is at capacity, and will not be eased until a new rapid transit line is built paralleling the street. It is anticipated that the SkyTrain's Millennium Line will be extended to Central Broadway by 2021; the extension is expected to connect with Canada Line at Broadway-City Hall Station, at the intersection of Broadway and Cambie Street.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
ME/Chronic fatigue syndrome: The mysterious illness trapping people in their bodies
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is a neurological disease. But misinformation from decades ago, which claimed it was psychological has resulted in stigma that still impacts the care of patients today.
“Someone who is so physically unwell is being treated so poorly, as if they can just snap out of it,” says Dr Anna Brooks, a ME and Long Covid researcher. “I don't think I can think of another condition that would be treated this this way. It just blows my mind.”
It’s estimated 65,000 New Zealanders have the disease – with Long Covid driving ME rates 15 times higher than before the pandemic.
Re: News journalist Zoe Madden-Smith looks into the controversy around the mysterious illness.
Monday, June 29, 2026
On Broadway in Vancouver. Spring of 2019.
Broadway is a major east-west thoroughfare in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In Vancouver's numbered avenue grid system, it runs in place of a 9th Avenue, between 8th and 10th. The street has six lanes for most of its course. Portions of the street carry the British Columbia Highway 7 designation.
The route begins as "West Broadway" at the intersection of Wallace Crescent and 8th Avenue, in the affluent residential neighbourhood of West Point Grey, a few kilometres east of the University of British Columbia (UBC). Past Alma Street, Broadway takes over from 10th Avenue as one of Vancouver's major thoroughfares, as it enters Greek West Broadway (or Greektown) section of Vancouver's Kitsilano district. East of here are several blocks of generally trendy, upscale shops interspersed with low-rise apartment blocks and small supermarkets. The surrounding neighbourhoods generally consist of large, older homes dating from the early twentieth century, many of which have been subdivided into rental suites.
As Broadway approaches Arbutus Street, the commercial establishments become larger before transitioning into a mix of small to mid-size apartment blocks. East of Burrard Street, the apartment blocks get progressively taller, and commercial establishments larger and busier. Between Burrard and Main Street, Broadway can be considerably congested by vehicular traffic. Past Granville Street, Broadway yields completely to medium-to-large commercial structures and high-rise apartments and condominiums. Between Cambie and Main, the commercial establishments become smaller and somewhat more downscale.
At Ontario Street, two blocks west of Main, the route becomes "East Broadway." After bisecting Main and Kingsway, traffic on Broadway eases somewhat, and the character returns to a mix of small-to-medium apartment buildings and commercial establishments, interspersed with older homes - all considerably less affluent than those to the west. At Commercial Drive, Broadway passes by the Commercial–Broadway SkyTrain Station. Past here for several blocks, the neighbourhood consists predominantly of older residential homes.
As Broadway travels east of Renfrew Street, the neighbourhood once again becomes mixed, with older homes to the north and larger industrial, commercial, and warehouse establishments to the south. Broadway finally ends at Cassiar Street, just short of the Vancouver-Burnaby boundary, where it becomes the Lougheed Highway.
Broadway was created at the turn of the 20th century, along with other gridded roads south of False Creek, to meet the needs of an expanding population in Vancouver. The name of the route was changed from 9th Avenue to Broadway in 1909, at the behest of merchants around Main Street (at that time the hub of Vancouver commerce), who felt that it bestowed a more cosmopolitan air. Commercial establishments originally spread out around the intersections of Cambie and Main Streets, while the character of the rest of the route remained predominantly single-family dwellings.
By the 1970s, the length of Broadway had become a major arterial route in Vancouver, conveying commuters from downtown to the neighbourhoods of the west and east sides. With the growth of UBC and the expansion of the Vancouver General Hospital (one block south of Broadway between approximately Oak and Cambie), traffic demands accelerated. In the 1990s, the agency then responsible for public transit in Greater Vancouver — BC Transit — introduced an express bus route, the 99 B-Line, to help reduce congestion. The Vancouver transportation plan for Broadway notes that congestion is such that the bus service is at capacity, and will not be eased until a new rapid transit line is built paralleling the street. It is anticipated that the SkyTrain's Millennium Line will be extended to Central Broadway by 2021; the extension is expected to connect with Canada Line at Broadway-City Hall Station, at the intersection of Broadway and Cambie Street.
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS): What It Is
In this post, I will quote from Katrina Berne's 'Running on Empty: The Complete Guide to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome' (1992), which is one of the books that I'm reading now. "There have been pockets of CFIDS outbreaks across the United States and in other countries as well - CFIDS is literally all over the map. CFIDS crosses all barriers - age, nationality, gender, income, lifestyle, and occupation - although certain predisposing factors make some people more susceptible than others. The onset of CFIDS is abrupt in about 75% of cases: most patients can pinpoint exactly when they became ill. "I was sitting in the airport the day before Thanksgiving when I suddenly started to feel awful," says Tom. "My flight was fine, but I wasn’t; I don’t even remember the time I spent with my relatives. I slept through the entire visit." However, the onset may not be as abrupt as it seems. Often, patients note in retrospect that they experienced a number of CFIDS-like symptoms over a period of years, often throughout their lifetimes: easy fatigability, allergies, frequent infections, unexplained body pain, and such. These symptoms were mild or intermittent and did not cause significant distress until an infectious agent, toxic exposure, and/or major life changes initiated the onset of full-blown CFIDS. The distinction between gradual and abrupt onset of CFIDS is blurry. Female PWCs are believed to outnumber males by a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio. This phenomenon is not uncommon in autoimmune diseases, which CFIDS may indeed prove to be. "What are you doing with a woman’s disease?" asked one insensitive doctor of a male PWC. In fact, CFIDS may be less frequently diagnosed among males because men often do not seek medical attention when they are ill. If the "sex bias" does exist, it may be explained by hormonal differences and/or occupational differences. The majority of known cases have occurred among professionals, health care workers, airline personnel, and businesspeople, while blue-collar workers and those in solitary professions seem to be less affected. It has been hypothesized that Type A personalities may be more susceptible to developing CFIDS. The average age at onset is 37, and most patients are in their middle or "prime" years, in the 25-50 age range. Numerous studies indicate that about 75% of patients are aged 20-49; 50-60% are 30-49. The preponderance of cases in these middle, normally productive years is potentially devastating to our work force. However, the age range may be skewed because the illness is probably underdiagnosed in children and in the elderly. CFIDS is found in every age group. Symptoms vary widely among patients and will vary in severity and change over time in each PWC. Many CFIDS symptoms have been experienced by healthy individuals from time to time, but in PWCs the symptoms are more continuous, severe, and pronounced. A college professor who was forced by CFIDS into early retirement calls it "the disease of jumping symptoms." Another PWC notes, "The fatigue, disequilibrium, and frequent illnesses that plagued me in the first year of my illness aren’t such a problem anymore. But I now have more difficulty with allergies, digestive problems, and sometimes muscle pain. I’m ill all the time, but the severity and the symptoms keep changing. It’s really hard to plan anything or live any kind of predictable life with this crazy stuff going on. I’m getting really angry and fed up, and so is my family. We never know what to expect." For the sake of convenience, we may describe CFIDS symptoms as falling into three general categories. General or physical symptoms include: debilitating fatigue; sore throat; swollen or tender lymph nodes; frequent infections; unusual and often severe headaches; allergies (worsening of previous allergies and/or new allergies); sensitivities to foods, odors, or chemicals; weight change, usually a gain unaccompanied by a change in eating habits; muscle and joint aches; gastrointestinal problems such as gas, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain; rashes; low-grade fevers; night sweats, shortness of breath with minimal or no exertion, heart palpitations, chest pain; cough; urinary tract problems; decreased sex drive. Neurological symptoms include: sensitivity to bright light; disequilibrium (balance problems, "spaceyness," and disorientation); difficulty with concentration and memory; impaired calculation and word-finding abilities; numbness or tingling feelings; sleep disturbance; visual problems; seizure-like episodes or "blackouts"; unusual and disturbing nightmares; and altered perception, which is often most evident when driving a vehicle. These neurological symptoms are a hallmark of CFIDS. Emotional problems associated with CFIDS include: depression, which may be accompanied by suicidal ideation or attempts; anxiety with or without panic attacks; mood swings; irritability and/or "rage attacks". The depression may be both endogenous (chemically caused) and exogenous (caused by external events - in this case, being chronically ill). Although patients often feel crazy, many of the emotional changes they experience are directly caused by the illness. Most did not experience such problems prior to the onset of CFIDS. PWCs generally feel poorly understood by others, experiencing self-doubt as well as relationship conflicts. It is impossible for those without CFIDS to understand the true impact of the illness and the havoc it can wreak. Because patients invariably appear healthier than they feel, those with whom they come into contact are not immediately aware of CFIDS-related limitations and often expect the PWCs to behave "normally" – that is, to be active and to handle the same responsibilities as in the past. It is difficult for PWCs to communicate the degree of their physical impairment and emotional pain to others, and as a result many relationships are disrupted. In addition, the PWC copes daily with lowered self-esteem, a very restricted activity level, an inability to predict health fluctuations, and feelings of powerlessness and worthlessness due to the inability to function as in the past. Many have based their self-esteem on what they were able to do rather than on who they were and are, leading to changing roles and identity problems that must be addressed. The emotional fallout of CFIDS can be as devastating as the symptoms themselves. There is no laboratory test to diagnose CFIDS. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, length of the illness, degree of impairment, and by ruling out other illnesses with similar symptoms. In the past an Epstein-Barr antibody panel was used, but this should no longer be regarded as a diagnostic tool since the elevation of Epstein-Barr virus antibodies found in most patients is now viewed as an epiphenomenon - a secondary phenomenon accompanying another and caused by it - rather than a cause of CFIDS. Many PWCs see numerous doctors before being diagnosed. CFIDS is both underdiagnosed (when patients’ symptoms are not understood or taken seriously by their doctors) and overdiagnosed (when fatigue is caused by other factors, including anemia, sleep disorders, psychological/psychiatric disorders, effects of drugs, metabolic disorders, and other chronic illnesses). The severity of the illness varies considerably among patients as well as individual patients across time. Some are mildly affected and can carry on a modified activity schedule, others are extremely debilitated, and many are completely disabled. Those in the latter group are unable to work and may be bedbound or housebound. Most cases fall between these extremes, with the illness following a waxing and waning cycle. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, initially resistant to acknowledging the existence of this illness, issued a definition and symptoms criteria for the diagnoses of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (the term they prefer) in March 1988. Revised diagnostic criteria were published in December 1994. Although the criteria were developed for research purposes, they are often used as a diagnostic tool by physicians and the Social Security Administration. CFIDS researchers, medical practitioners, and patients agree that their definition is quite narrow in scope and needs to be updated. The mode of transmission is unknown. Multiple cases of CFIDS in families are common, and those afflicted are usually genetically related (blood relatives) rather than nonblood relatives such as spouses. Some researchers suspect that the risk for partners of PWCs of developing the disease increases over time due to increased viral "load" or repeated exposure, while others believe that the risk of contagion is high only in the early stages of the disease. However, there is no evidence that CFIDS is contagious or transmissible. If CFIDS is found not to be highly contagious, then genetic predisposition and/or exposure to environmental agents may explain the route by which the disease is contracted. Although there is no known cure, CFIDS is treatable. Rest and lifestyle modification are the most helpful treatments. PWCs who are used to being active achievers find that moderating their activity levels falls somewhere between inconvenient and impossible. However, it is absolutely necessary to adapt by altering one’s activity level. The worst thing PWCs can do is push themselves too hard, thereby inviting relapses and possibly prolonging the course of the illness. In addition to rest and moderation of activity, general and symptomatic treatments are available. It is essential to work with a physician who is knowledgeable about CFIDS and current treatment regimens. Individual or group psychotherapy is helpful for dealing with the emotional devastation that invariably accompanies CFIDS: illness-imposed limitations, anger, losses, depression, relationship and family issues, and lifestyle alterations. Instruction in relaxation and stress-reduction techniques can also be helpful. Most support groups provide referral lists of recommended professionals. Is there life after CFIDS? Do people recover? Many PWCs have been told by their physicians that they will get well in a specified amount of time, such as three to five years. However, it is impossible to predict how long an individual will remain ill or whether full or significant recovery will take place. Although the prognosis is uncertain in individual cases, various clinicians have noted trends in the course of the illness. Daniel Peterson, M.D., has noted that 75% of patients improve gradually, 20% reach a plateau at a certain level of dysfunction, and 3% remain severely disabled and may continue to deteriorate. Paul Cheney, M.D., has reported that about 12% of patients recover fully, usually during the first one or two years or during the fourth or fifth year. Another expert finds that 30% of patients experience significant remission, although full recovery is unlikely. Degree of recovery seems to be associated not with how severe the illness is, but with how long it has lasted. Several experts observe that those who remain ill for longer than three years have a low incidence of complete recovery, although many improve. Those who have become fully disabled often remain disabled for many years. The majority of patients continue to have chronic moderate-to-severe symptoms. Although most continue to have symptoms, a small subgroup recovers and most patients do improve - often substantially - over time. "CFIDS is a mystery waiting for a miracle," wrote one PWC. "CFIDS changes your priorities and puts you firmly in the now. You can't remember yesterday, and you can't predict tomorrow. When your now is full of pain and frustration, it's the end of the world. When your now improves, there's hope in your heart." CFIDS has been defined and described by many experts. Paul Cheney, M.D., noted that although we lack a specific definition of this syndrome, "we know it when we see it" (February 1990). He described the common denominators of PWCs as immune system dysregulation and neurocognitive dysfunction. Noting both similarities and differences among PWCs, Mark Loveless, M.D., calls CFIDS a "spectrum of disease." Jay Goldstein, M.D., has referred to CFIDS as "the most complex disease I have ever studied." He defined CFIDS in March 1991: "I regard CFIDS as the final common pathway of a multifactorial psychoneuroimmunologic disorder with a limbic encephalopathy causing autonomic dysfunction and subtle neuroendocrine derangements." Although this definition is the most specific to date, it is difficult for those outside the medical profession to understand. Its essence is that disruption in normal brain functioning is the cause of most or all CFIDS symptoms, although the causes of the brain abnormalities are not currently known. Defining CFIDS as a psychoneuroimmunologic disorder addresses the interactions among behavior, the immune system, and the central nervous system. These interactions are quite complex and form the basis of understanding illness and wellness in an appropriate and meaningful way. Various community-based studies indicate that the prevalence of CFIDS is between 76 and 267 cases per 100,000 people in the United States. Some estimates indicate 2 to 10 million cases in this country alone, and millions more in other countries around the world. Because systematic studies have not been done and many cases remain undiagnosed, we can only guess at the actual number of PWCs. One reason for the underdiagnosis of the syndrome is the resistance or unwillingness of many physicians to diagnose a poorly understood illness whose name reflects only one symptom: fatigue - the most common complaint among all medical patients. CFIDS is an illness that is easy to diagnose if the physician has experience with it; however, it is difficult and expensive to treat, making it especially unpopular with HMOs (health maintenance organizations). Pocket outbreaks of the illness have occurred in many areas, including Incline Village, Nevada; Lyndonville, New York; and parts of North Carolina and northern and southern California. The CDC, the CFIDS Association of America, local support groups, and health practitioners are continually deluged with requests for information about CFIDS. Clearly this is an epidemic of huge proportions. CFIDS isn't just chronic fatigue. The medical profession and general public have tended to confuse chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome, an unfortunate result of the terminology used for this illness. The name CFIDS is often preferred because it includes the "immune dysfunction" aspect of the illness, but the term "CFS" remains more widely used. The CDC insists on using this name, a point of contention for many researchers, practitioners, and PWCs. CFIDS has significantly affected us individually and collectively. By afflicting those in their most productive years, CFIDS is a serious threat to the nation's work force. The loss of workers, the mounting medical and research expenses, and the increasing number of disability cases and cumulative disability payments from Social Security and private insurers are potentially devastating to our national economy. Also devastating are the divorce rate and suicide rate of PWCs. The divorce rate for chronically ill persons is an astounding 75%. The suicide rate is unknown but believed to be much higher than that of the general population. Because many PWCs (including children and adolescents) feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, depressed, and hopeless, suicide is often contemplated and sometimes attempted by PWCs as an alternative to a life of desperation and pain. Anthony Komaroff, M.D., wrote, "Chronic fatigue syndrome and its related conditions represent an illness distinct from other known physical and psychological illnesses" (1988). Other researchers concur and remain baffled by this illness, which resembles other illnesses but is a phenomenon all its own. CFIDS is a disease like no other."
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Friday, June 19, 2026
On Pacific Boulevard in Yaletown. Spring of 2019.
Pacific Boulevard runs along the northern edge of False Creek, a central waterway in Vancouver, and serves as a defining boundary for Yaletown. The neighborhood itself is roughly bounded by Nelson, Homer, Drake, and Pacific streets, as noted in the history provided by the Roundhouse Community Centre. Pacific Boulevard is a bustling corridor that connects Yaletown to other parts of downtown Vancouver, sitting between the Granville Street and Cambie Street bridges. It’s a major thoroughfare that offers both practical access and a scenic backdrop with views of False Creek.
Yaletown, including the area around Pacific Boulevard, has a rich history tied to Vancouver’s development. According to the Roundhouse Community Centre, the area was initially shaped by the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1887. By 1900, the city planned a new eight-block warehouse district in what is now recognized as modern Yaletown, with Pacific Boulevard marking its southern edge. Back then, this area was a hub for processing, repackaging, and warehousing goods, thanks to its proximity to the railway and waterfront. It remained largely industrial until the late 20th century.
The transformation of Yaletown—and Pacific Boulevard by extension—began in the late 1970s and 1980s when young urban professionals started moving in, drawn by the affordable and attractive old warehouses. The area’s revitalization kicked into high gear after Expo 86, the world’s fair held in Vancouver, which turned Yaletown into a festival site and sparked widespread redevelopment. Today, Pacific Boulevard is part of a neighborhood known for its mix of art galleries, retail stores, restaurants, and residential towers, as described in the same historical overview.
Pacific Boulevard is home to several notable spots. David Lam Park, 1300 Pacific Boulevard, is a 12-acre park located right on Pacific Boulevard. It's a large open space adjacent to Yaletown. It’s a popular spot for events, especially in spring and summer, and offers a place to relax with views of False Creek. The park hosts events like the annual lantern procession and “Labyrinth of Light” around December 21st, organized by the Roundhouse Community Centre. Roundhouse Community Centre is located near Pacific Boulevard. This centre is a hub for community activities and events, reflecting the area’s evolution from industrial to cultural. It’s tied to the history of Yaletown and often organizes events that spill into nearby spaces like David Lam Park. The street is dotted with businesses catering to both locals and visitors. For example, Atlantis Dental Yaletown at 1278 Pacific Boulevard offers dental services with extended hours (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Wednesday). Similarly, P Nails & Spa at 1271 Pacific Boulevard, formerly Posy Fingers & Toes Spa, provides nail and spa services, reflecting the area’s focus on lifestyle and wellness.
Today, Pacific Boulevard in Yaletown is a lively, pedestrian-friendly area that reflects the neighborhood’s “trendy” reputation. It’s a mix of modern high-rises, converted warehouses, and green spaces, with a strong emphasis on urban living. The street itself is a blend of functionality—connecting key parts of downtown—and leisure, with proximity to parks, dining, and cultural spots. It’s a hotspot for both residents and tourists, especially given its location near False Creek, which offers scenic views and access to seawall pathways for walking or cycling.
Pacific Boulevard is easily accessible via public transit, with the Yaletown-Roundhouse SkyTrain station nearby on the Canada Line. It’s also a short walk from downtown Vancouver. The area is active throughout the day, with businesses like Atlantis Dental operating from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and the park and seawall drawing crowds for recreation at all hours. As noted, David Lam Park hosts seasonal events, making Pacific Boulevard a focal point for community gatherings, especially in warmer months or during festivals like the winter solstice lantern procession. Pacific Boulevard in Yaletown is a dynamic street that encapsulates the neighborhood’s evolution from an industrial warehouse district to a trendy urban hub. It’s a place where history, modernity, and community intersect, offering a mix of green spaces, cultural activities, and lifestyle amenities.
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