Myalgic encephalomyelitis, better known as ME/CFS, is an illness which has many symptoms and can have different levels of severity. It is a complex, neuroimmune condition which is very poorly understood and has no cure at present. It can affect people of all ages and is twice as common in females as it is in males.
The onset of ME/CFS can be sudden or develop gradually. It can occur after an infection (often, but not always viral), or there may be no obvious trigger. It can be triggered by physical activity or mental stress. A key symptom of ME/CFS is post-exertional malaise, which is when your symptoms get worse after physical or mental activity and take longer than usual to recover. You can experience other symptoms including unrefreshing sleep, difficulty concentrating and pain.
ME/CFS can affect all aspects of your life, and can lead to severe impairments in work, school and family life. One in four people with ME/CFS become housebound or bedbound on their worst days and many are unable to access the services they need.
Most people with ME/CFS have a lot of trouble getting a diagnosis. They often have a long list of problems that seem to be unrelated, and it can be hard for doctors to put together a diagnosis. This is partly because ME/CFS can be misinterpreted as a psychotic or depressive disorder. Some patients are not believed by their doctor at all, which can make it difficult for them to get help.
There is no single test for ME/CFS and it can be difficult for GPs to distinguish between it and other conditions. Keeping a diary of your symptoms can help. GPs will ask about your health history and do a clinical examination. They will look for signs of other illnesses that could be causing your symptoms and will order blood and urine tests.
ME/CFS is thought to be caused by abnormal immune function and can be triggered by certain infections. It is also possible that there are other factors, such as genetics and environmental exposures. It is important for research to continue so that more precise diagnostic tools and treatments can be found as soon as possible.