Publisher's Synopsis
PREVIEW
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex and disabling disease. It has been classified as a neurological disorder by the World Health Organization, though it affects many parts of the body, including the brain and muscles, digestive, immune and cardiac systems.
The term 'myalgic encephalomyelitis' means pain in the muscles, and inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. Scientists are starting to understand some of the biological changes in the bodies of people with ME/CFS, although they have not yet found how to prevent, or cure it.
Research has found that ME/CFS is associated with problems involving:
The body's ability to produce energy at a cellular level
Immune, neurological and hormonal systems
Blood pressure and heart rate regulation
Digestion
Sleep
Cognition - how quickly information is processed
ME/CFS affects men, women and children of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 75-80% of people with the disease are female. It is estimated that up to 600,000 Victorians may be living with ME/CFS, and as many as 90% are undiagnosed.
The main symptom of ME/CFS is extreme physical and mental tiredness (fatigue) that does not go away with rest or sleep. This can make it difficult to carry out everyday tasks and activities.
Most people with ME/CFS describe their fatigue as overwhelming and a different type of tiredness from what they've experienced before.
Exercising usually makes the symptoms worse. Sometimes the effect is delayed and you'll feel very tired a few hours after you've exercised, or even the next day.
Symptoms vary from person to person, and the severity of symptoms can vary from day to day, or even within a day.
