Unlike other chronic illnesses, ME has no universally approved cure and no cure for ME. Rather, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. Though ME treatments may be effective for some patients, other people may be sensitive to them. Health care providers can help ME patients apply for disability benefits, obtain assistive devices, and arrange for accommodations. Learn more about ME and treatment options. Listed below are some tips for finding help. But remember, the most important thing to do is get your ME diagnosed and treated by a medical professional.
Although there is no universally accepted diagnosis of ME, doctors are increasingly accepting of it as a disabling condition. In the UK, the National Institutes of Health have even awarded three collaborative research centers to speed the development of a cure for ME. Two of these centers are located in New York State, at Cornell University and Columbia University. The following organizations provide support and medical providers specializing in treating ME. For those in need of support, the #MEAction international network may be the best place to begin.
Diagnosing ME/CFS requires a medical professional with experience and a comprehensive understanding of the disease. The symptoms of ME/CFS are very distinct from other chronic conditions. When the symptoms do not occur at least 50% of the time, the diagnosis should be questioned. Most patients are diagnosed with the disorder using the NICE guideline. The diagnosis is made on the basis of the patient’s medical history and patterns of symptoms. The doctor must rule out other medical conditions and treatments that could be causing the symptoms. The condition cannot be caused by excessive exertion and it is not relieved by rest.
Although no one knows for sure how much it costs the NHS to treat ME/CFS, there is a lot of research on the disease. For example, a report published by the US Institute of Medicine suggests that the new name for ME/CFS should be changed to “ME/CFS.”
Although a cure for ME/CFS is still far off, the underlying cause of the illness is unknown. However, some factors can trigger the condition. Many doctors use clinical judgment when determining the diagnosis of ME/CFS. The 2003 Canadian clinical criteria, created by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, emphasize the importance of neuroimmune dysfunction. The resulting cure for ME/CFS should lead to the identification of the underlying cause and a treatment that will improve patients’ lives.