Greater than 1 million People have myalgic encephalomyelitis/continual fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Whereas researchers tie it to issues involving the mind, immune system, and vitality metabolism, the causes of the sickness and a treatment stay undiscovered. Dana J. Brimmer, PhD, a visiting scientist on the CDC, explains what medical doctors do know.
Q: What is that this illness?
Brimmer: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/continual fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a critical, long-term sickness that may radically alter sufferers’ lives and final for years. Folks with ME/CFS usually have [symptoms that include moderate, severe, and substantial] ache, [debilitating] fatigue, and sleep issues.
Whereas there isn’t a treatment, a analysis may help sufferers and households by giving them a greater understanding of ME/CFS and information about managing signs. As well as, [the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)] now offers medical doctors the steerage they should consider and handle the situation.
What are the signs?
In accordance with the [NAS], ME/CFS has 5 predominant signs:
- A big drop in skill to carry out an individual’s standard actions that lasts for greater than 6 months and is accompanied by fatigue
- Signs that worsen after doing bodily or psychological actions that might have been “standard” earlier than they grew to become unwell (also referred to as post-exertional malaise, or PEM)
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Issue pondering, processing info, or concentrating
- Signs that worsen when an individual stands up however enhance when mendacity down (also referred to as orthostatic intolerance)
Many sufferers with ME/CFS say that PEM is the symptom that interferes with their lives probably the most. PEM isn’t all the time predictable, so it’s onerous to plan actions. For instance, an individual with ME/CFS might be able to go to the grocery retailer with out issues on some days. However on others, the journey might confine them to mattress relaxation for a number of days after. Folks with ME/CFS may additionally have ache, a sore throat, or flu-like signs.
What if an individual suspects ME/CFS?
Discuss to a physician. Solely a well being care supplier could make a analysis. Since signs range, some sufferers discover it useful to maintain observe of signs and produce an inventory to the primary appointment. Folks can discover details about ME/CFS on the web sites of the CDC and the Nationwide Institutes of Well being (NIH).
How can I help somebody with ME/CFS?
ME/CFS impacts sufferers, households, and pals. A very powerful help you possibly can present is to know that the sickness is actual and has long-term penalties. The severity of ME/CFS varies by individual — for instance, some folks can nonetheless work, however others are very sick and homebound.
The sickness may range for a single affected person — typically she might seem “high-quality,” whereas different occasions, she could also be too unwell to do regular actions. Attempt to perceive these ups and downs, and ask what you are able to do to assist.
By the Numbers
2x: Variety of ladies who’ve ME/CFS as in comparison with males, though folks of each sexes can have the situation.
30s and 40s: Ages when the situation most frequently seems. Nevertheless it can also have an effect on younger youngsters, teenagers, and older adults.
$17 billion to $24 billion: Quantity in annual medical payments and misplaced earnings attributable to ME/CFS within the U.S.
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