What’s ME/CFS?

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Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a debilitating disease that affects huge numbers of people around the world. Although it is a very common disease, it has only recently been recognized as a serious medical condition. The symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis can vary greatly from sufferer to sufferer.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis is known by a variety of names. It is known as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome in the United States. The disease affects people 20 years of age and older, and the causes of the disease are not known.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis often occurs after a normal viral infection such as the flu or chicken pox. It can also appear after simple viral infections such as sore throat or joint pain, and even after the common cold. In other people, especially older people, myalgic encephalomyelitis can simply occur over a period of months without any underlying original viral infection.

As the name suggests, myalgic encephalomyelitis is a disease that affects the muscles and head. Symptoms can include severe fatigue, muscle spasms, depression, and muscle pain. The sufferer can often sleep much more than they normally would, but it is not restful sleep. The sufferer will still feel tired after sleeping for extended periods. The tiredness that the victim feels will often leave them completely drained of all energy. Patients have been known to be bedridden for days, weeks and even months.

People with myalgic encephalomyelitis sometimes appear completely normal, with no symptoms. They can go about their daily lives and exercise as non-sick people would. What you don’t see is the effect the day after. It has been described as the muscles run out of energy and the ability to function stops altogether. This is when complete bed rest is needed.

These aren’t the only symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis. Sufferers often have memory problems and forget what they have just been told. They may also suffer from digestive problems, chills, fever and incessant pain. Each sufferer will have their own set of symptoms, which is why the disease is very difficult to diagnose.

There have been many controversies surrounding myalgic encephalomyelitis. Because it is very difficult to diagnose, many people treat the disease with skepticism. It is up to the doctor to decide whether the sufferer actually has the disease or not. In the 1980s, it was brought to public attention by the media under the name Yuppie Flu. Many people still think of it as an umbrella term for simply feeling tired and lethargic, but it is a medically recognized and serious disease.

Doctors can administer medications to combat the symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis, but traditional medicine can do little to help sufferers. Self-help and adherence to certain known regimens appear to be of great help. The disease can last for a long time, from a few months to decades. It is a relapsing and recurring disease, and periods of well-being and illness can vary greatly from person to person.

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