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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is a little-understood, female-biased [1] illness. It is estimated that up to 90% of people with the condition go diagnosed [2] and about 25% of sufferers are severely ill [3]. In recognition of this disease’s profound physical and psychological impact on its victims, August 8th has been designated as a Severe ME Awareness Day.
The disease is best known for a state of extreme and unremitting fatigue. A range of additional symptoms may suggest the presence of an infectious disease: myalgia, nausea, cognitive disturbance, “flu-like” symptoms, sore throat, palpitations, headache, and insomnia [4]. In severe cases of ME, fatigue syndrome patients may be bedridden and lose the ability to do the simplest tasks, such as boiling eggs for lunch [5] or feeding themselves [6].
Although outbreaks of possible ME or chronic fatigue syndrome have been recorded since 1955 [7], and several studies have suggested a viral or bacterial etiology, a lack of coherent understanding of etiology and pathogenesis makes the diagnosis of ME or chronic fatigue syndrome particularly difficult. Fatigue syndrome symptoms may persist for years [8], and patients in general practice settings may be sent from one specialist to another until all other potential disorders (notably Lyme disease [9] [10]) are discounted. Since most patients with ME or chronic fatigue syndrome are ultimately referred to Infectious Diseases specialists, GIDEON lists the condition in its database, allowing clinicians to compare side-by-side with similar diseases.
Treatment to improve the quality of life of chronic fatigue syndrome patients demands significant changes in lifestyle, such as creating a quiet environment to help reduce the effects of hypersensitivity [11, 12]. Fatigue syndrome treatment is tricky, especially with the range of symptoms and difficulty of diagnosing the illness.
There is currently no known cure for this syndrome. Various drugs are currently under review, including Metformin and Momordica charantia extract [13]. Newer diagnostic techniques include a nanoelectronics-blood-based diagnostic biomarker [14].