Myalgic encephalomyelitis
Synonyms
3
Overview
Due to the life style that we live today we might very often feel tired. The tiredness is prolonged in some cases and this indicates that the person is suffering from ME. It disorder is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome. Though fatigue and tiredness is experienced by everybody in this case the intensity and the duration is more. They are also accompanied with various other symptoms. This discomfort is also referred as myalgic encephalomyelitis. Many suggest that this disorder is due to the presence of some viral infection along with stress but there is no evidence that it is a contagious disease.
Symptoms
People who are diagnosed with ME are said to be suffering from this chronic fatigue fro the past 6 months without any other medical problems. Sometimes fatigue is related to various other physical diseases but in the case of this disease the patient does not suffer from any other disease. To be diagnosed with this disease there are some symptoms that are associated with this disease. People suffering from ME have problem with their concentration power as they tend to have short-term memory though this is only a temporary phase. The chronic fatigue is also associated with muscle pain and pain in the joints. These pains are not accompanied with swelling of the body parts. The lymph nodes of the patients suffering from ME have the tendency of becoming tender. They also suffer from constant headache with an altogether new pattern and severity. As they suffer from constant sore throat and body fatigue they do not enjoy a sound sleep. This further aggravates the physical condition. Without proper body rest the condition worsens further. The effect of any type of exertion can be seen immediately. They with great difficulty carry on with their regular work and duty. Without proper medical help and advice the condition turns from bad to worse. Along with physical tiredness they also suffer from mental problem. All these symptoms do take a toll on their mental state as they are unable to realize the real cause behind this constant fatigue. The condition of the ME patients do not improve totally by advising them with total bed rest. But if the physical and the mental activity is increased then it only worsens the situation. There are many other symptoms that are generally associated with this disease. The patient might suffer from morning stiffness, irregular heartbeat, abdominal pain as well as chest and jaw pain, sudden loss of weight, nausea and dizziness. These are the physical problems that the patient suffers from. Apart from these problems there are some psychological problems. Due to constant fatigue the patient might feel constantly depressed and irritated.
Causes
Currently, the cause of CFS/ME remains unknown, although several factors have been suggested, including immunological, genetic, viral, neuroendocrine and psychological. It may be best regarded as a spectrum of illness that is triggered by a variety of factors in people who have an underlying predisposition. There is evidence that some people may be genetically susceptible to the condition, as it is more common in some families. Other causes may include viral infections, such as glandular fever, mental stress, depression or a reaction to a traumatic event, such as bereavement or redundancy. The condition appears to be exacerbated by infections, not taking enough exercise, over-exercising and social isolation.
Diagnosis
ME is diagnosed definitively using case history to look for a distinctive pattern and type of symptoms and signs. Diagnosis necessitates involvement of the CNS and muscoskeletal symptomology. There are no accepted clinical criteria for ME but all descriptions tend to emphasize muscle fatiguability and central nervous system involvement. The Canadian Consensus criteria represents international efforts to standardize the diagnosis of ME using clinical data and laboratory data but are controversial. The list of symptoms is long and there is therefore a danger of misdiagnosis. Research criteria based on Ramsay's descriptions have been used in various studies e.g. Costa et al, 1995. Generally consistent findings of a novel low molecular weight antiviral protein (Rnase-L) have shown promise as a potential diagnostic test for CFS and may be relevant to ME. Another test which may become important in the future is an assay of genes for the immune system and mitochondria, however, these tests are so far seen as discretionary. Without research criteria for ME, it is not possible to confirm that abnormalities found in people with chronic fatigue syndrome are also generalizable to ME.
Prognosis
The prognosis (the expected future course of the disease) for a person with myalgic encephalomyelitis depends on severity and chronicity of the disease and initial symptoms; the age; and the degree of disability the person experiences. Fatalities are rare. Research on CFs identified deaths due to heart or pancreatic failure, opportunist infection, neurodegeneration, cancer and suicide. The degree of disability varies among individuals with ME. In general, 25% are severely disabled, though a number move in and out of categories due to relapse-remission. Currently there are no clinically established laboratory investigations available that can predict prognosis or response to treatment.
Treatment
The people who are suffering from ME do not receive any particular type of treatment. This is because the real reason behind the disease is not known. Doctors prescribe medicines as per the symptoms of the disease. Painkillers are administered for providing some relief from the joint and muscle pains and for reducing the depression antidepressants are being prescribed. The help of the counselors can be taken to control the mental situation of the patients. If stress is reduced and a healthy diet is maintained then it might prove the condition of the people suffering from ME.