Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
An Overview of ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis)
Oct 20, 2008
CFS is also known as ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis). Myalgia is muscle pain, and encephalomyelitis is the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. ME is a commonly used term, although it's sometimes considered too specific to cover all the symptoms.
CFS is a debilitating chronic condition that makes everyday activities difficult. Sufferers feel exhausted most of the time, and find it very hard to undertake even basic tasks such as walking. While it can adversely affect sufferers in a number of ways, there are many treatments and resources available to provide support.
Facts About ME
An estimated 150,000 people in the UK have CFS. Anyone can get it, although it's more common in women than in men. It usually develops in the early twenties to mid-forties. Children can also be affected, most commonly between the ages of 13 and 15.
Causes Of CFS
The exact cause of CFS is unknown, although there are several theories. A viral infection, such as glandular fever, can trigger the condition. Tiredness is normal after a viral infection, but this doesn't explain why symptoms persist and get worse.
It's more likely that CFS is caused by a combination of physical and psychological factors, which also affect how severe the condition is and how long it lasts.
The main factors that contribute to CFS are thought to be:
- Inherited genetic susceptibility (it's more common in some families)
- Viral infections such as glandular fever, which weaken the immune system
- Exhaustion and mental stress
- Depression
- A traumatic event such as bereavement, divorce or redundancy.
Treatment For CFS
There's no specific treatment for CFS. Sometimes, simply diagnosing CFS and giving advice about how to deal with it can help. CFS tends to last for months, if not years, but most people do recover, or at least improve their symptoms by adjusting aspects of their lifestyle.
There's no cure for CFS, so treatment tends to focus on easing the symptoms. The effectiveness of treatments depends on how CFS affects the sufferer. Early diagnosis, balancing rest with activity, medication to control certain symptoms, and self-help measures can all help to varying degrees.
Common treatments include:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Graded exercise
- Pacing and avoiding large bursts of exercise that may prove unhelpful.
- Antidepressants
- Over-the-counter painkillers.
- Complementary therapies such as osteopathy, nutritional therapy and homeopathy.
Lots of people with CFS improve in health over time, and can sometimes recover within two years. However, health and activity may not return to pre-illness levels. People who have been affected for many years are less likely to recover. However, with the appropriate advice and treatment, the condition can be successfully managed.
Source:
The ME Association
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