Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsThe Lack of Understanding and ResearchDiagnosisCriteriaTreatment and Coping

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Symptoms

The Lack of Understanding and Research

Diagnosis

Criteria

Treatment and Coping

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From CFS to MEMyalgic encephalomyelitis was formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). While this term is still in use in some medical communities, an overall shift was made to better reflect the idea that ME doesn’t solely involve being tired. You can now find ME referred to as ME/CFS as CFS becomes less frequently used.

From CFS to ME

Myalgic encephalomyelitis was formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). While this term is still in use in some medical communities, an overall shift was made to better reflect the idea that ME doesn’t solely involve being tired. You can now find ME referred to as ME/CFS as CFS becomes less frequently used.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as myalgic encephalitis, is a serious and complex long-term illness that has a primary symptom of intensefatigue.Abbreviated as ME, this illness can impact neurological, autoimmune, and metabolism functions of the body. Patients often experience sleep problems, chronic pain, and more.

Ahead, we will look at the symptoms of ME, how to know if you may have it, and the different treatments available.

What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

The primary and most known symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis is the feeling of being fatigued no matter how much rest you get for a period of more than six months. Physical activity or exertion will usually worsen the feelings of fatigue. The fatigue symptom is broken down into several diagnostic criteria, which we’ll discuss ahead. Patients with ME may be bedbound for weeks or even longer.

In addition to feeling endlessly tired long term, ME can have many additional symptoms; patients may experience all, some, or none of them, and myalgic encephalomyelitis can feel like any of them, in addition to fatigue. These are the additional symptoms one may experience with ME.

13 Possible Reasons Why You’re Tired All the Time

According to the Institute of Medicine, 90% of ME patients are undiagnosed. They estimate that anywhere from 836,000 to 2.5 million people have it in the United States alone. ME is not taught in most medical schools, and it is common for patients not to be believed for their symptoms.

Even once properly diagnosed, the lack of understanding and research around ME has led to many patient complaints of poor medical care. Patients have experienced hostility from practitioners and received treatments that worsened their condition. Because there isn’t a known cause of ME and may not be any lab tests available for diagnosis, not much progress has been made in the many years since the illness was first discussed on television.

Coping With an Invisible Illness

How Do I Know If I’ve Got Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Read on to learn how to get properly diagnosed. Though most common in people aged 40-60, it can occur at any age, including during childhood.

What Are the Criteria That Must Be Met for a Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

To be diagnosed with ME, patients must meet three primary criteria, all of which are centered around fatigue. Each of the below must be met:

In addition to these criteria, patients must also meet one of these two:

If you think you have ME, it’s vitally important to find a doctor who understands the illness. Keeping an activity journal that details the duration of your fatigue and other symptoms, which you can present to a doctor, may prove helpful.

Why Am I Always Tired?—Common Causes of Fatigue and What to Do

Treatment and Coping With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Diet may help ease some of the symptoms of ME, but it is not a cure for it. Eating simple, wholesome foods and avoiding foods such as refined sugars, artificial ingredients, alcohol, caffeine, and MSG may be helpful.

Treatment may involve pharmaceuticals, holistic remedies, experimental treatments, or diet. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before starting any of these treatment options.

Pharmaceuticals

There are no medications that can directly treat ME, but medications may help to relieve symptoms.

Holistic Remedies

For those seeking a more natural approach, some alternative treatments are also available.

Experimental Treatments

There are two drugs that are used in an experimental context for the treatment of ME.

Diet

Because ME can lead to many gastrointestinal issues, crafting your diet into one that does not upset your system further is paramount. Beyond that, eating for energy is key.

The American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society suggests that you listen to your body in regards to what it needs, eat as simple of foods as possible, and eat as many whole foods as you are able to. They recommend avoiding stimulants such as caffeine, alcohol, and sugar.

You’ll want to work closely with a doctor to monitor your progress, and all treatments may take a considerable amount of time before symptoms improve.

The American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society has afree physician and clinic databaseavailable. This is an excellent resource to consult if you are seeking a doctor who can properly care for you after a diagnosis of ME, or in order to obtain one.

Anergia: When Is a Lack of Energy Cause for Concern?

12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.CDC.What is me/cfs? | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).Murga Gandasegui I, Aranburu Laka L, Gargiulo PÁ, Gómez-Esteban JC, Lafuente Sánchez JV.Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a neurological entity?Medicina. 2021;57(10):1030.CDC.Symptoms of me/cfs | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).McCain H.Chronic fatigue and the golden girls – living with disability and chronic painNews-Medical.net.Chronic fatigue syndrome history.CDC.Iom 2015 diagnostic criteria | diagnosis | healthcare providers | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).CDC.Diagnosis of me/cfs | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.What Causes ME/CFS?American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Treatment overview.Chronic fatigue syndrome (Cfs): Suggestions for a nutritional treatment in the therapeutic approach.Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2019;109:1000-1007.American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Experimental treatments.American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Diet.

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.CDC.What is me/cfs? | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).Murga Gandasegui I, Aranburu Laka L, Gargiulo PÁ, Gómez-Esteban JC, Lafuente Sánchez JV.Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a neurological entity?Medicina. 2021;57(10):1030.CDC.Symptoms of me/cfs | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).McCain H.Chronic fatigue and the golden girls – living with disability and chronic painNews-Medical.net.Chronic fatigue syndrome history.CDC.Iom 2015 diagnostic criteria | diagnosis | healthcare providers | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).CDC.Diagnosis of me/cfs | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.What Causes ME/CFS?American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Treatment overview.Chronic fatigue syndrome (Cfs): Suggestions for a nutritional treatment in the therapeutic approach.Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2019;109:1000-1007.American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Experimental treatments.American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Diet.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

CDC.What is me/cfs? | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).Murga Gandasegui I, Aranburu Laka L, Gargiulo PÁ, Gómez-Esteban JC, Lafuente Sánchez JV.Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a neurological entity?Medicina. 2021;57(10):1030.CDC.Symptoms of me/cfs | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).McCain H.Chronic fatigue and the golden girls – living with disability and chronic painNews-Medical.net.Chronic fatigue syndrome history.CDC.Iom 2015 diagnostic criteria | diagnosis | healthcare providers | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).CDC.Diagnosis of me/cfs | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.What Causes ME/CFS?American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Treatment overview.Chronic fatigue syndrome (Cfs): Suggestions for a nutritional treatment in the therapeutic approach.Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2019;109:1000-1007.American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Experimental treatments.American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Diet.

CDC.What is me/cfs? | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).

Murga Gandasegui I, Aranburu Laka L, Gargiulo PÁ, Gómez-Esteban JC, Lafuente Sánchez JV.Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a neurological entity?Medicina. 2021;57(10):1030.

CDC.Symptoms of me/cfs | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).

McCain H.Chronic fatigue and the golden girls – living with disability and chronic pain

News-Medical.net.Chronic fatigue syndrome history.

CDC.Iom 2015 diagnostic criteria | diagnosis | healthcare providers | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).

CDC.Diagnosis of me/cfs | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (Me/cfs).

American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.What Causes ME/CFS?

American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Treatment overview.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (Cfs): Suggestions for a nutritional treatment in the therapeutic approach.Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2019;109:1000-1007.

American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Experimental treatments.

American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society.Diet.

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