People with ME/CFS find that activities they once took for granted take an enormous toll on their health. Depending on the amount and type of exercise or activity, PEM may last for a few days, or serious relapses lasting weeks, months or even years. The response may be delayed, perhaps after 24 or 48 hours, which can make it hard to work out how much activity is too much. The amount of exertion that causes PEM varies according to illness severity, and can change over time. This includes abnormal exhaustion after any physical or mental activity that would not have caused problems before developing ME/CFS. Research shows that people with ME/CFS have a different physical response to activity or exercise from other people. Sometimes people refer to this as a “crash” or “payback”. The core symptom of ME/CFS is called post-exertional malaise (PEM), which is an increase in symptoms and reduction in function after minimal physical or mental activity. Research clearly demonstrates that ME/CFS is a biological illness, and it is not caused by being unfit or mental health problems. In other people, ME/CFS may develop slowly over months or years. For some people, the disease may be triggered suddenly by an infection, toxic exposure, anaesthetic, immunisation, or trauma such as car accident. What causes ME/CFS?ĭespite researchers identifying many biological abnormalities in people living with the disease, we do not yet know the cause. It is estimated that up to 600,000 Victorians may be living with ME/CFS, and as many as 90% are undiagnosed. 75-80% of people with the disease are female. ME/CFS affects men, women and children of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Cognition – how quickly information is processed.Blood pressure and heart rate regulation.Immune, neurological and hormonal systems.The body’s ability to produce energy at a cellular level.Research has found that ME/CFS is associated with problems involving: 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. The term ‘myalgic encephalomyelitis’ means pain in the muscles, and inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. 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. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex and disabling disease. What is myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)?
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