>What is M.E?
Simplistically put:
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) is defined by the World Health Organisation as a neurological illness (code WHO-ICD-10-G93.3). There are at least 250,000 sufferers of ME in the UK alone, many of them children.
At present there is no medical diagnostic test for M.E and no known cure for the illness as yet. Unfortunately, in most scenarios especially in Malta, a person would have had to be suffering from a sufficient range of symptoms for at least 6 months before M.E is even considered.
This is particularly unhelpful since rest is so critical in the early phase of the illness. After a process of elimination that rules out any other conditions, including a substantial number of blood tests and any other tests the doctor deems necessary, a diagnosis is finally made.
Up till now, there is no cure - and until the exact cause/s of M.E is found, a cure is unlikely to be found. However, symptomatic relief may be possible to some extent. Treatments aimed at various symptoms can help some people, but not others, and it is often a question of trial and error to find the optimum regimen for each individual.
The first symptoms are often similar to flu, but they do not go away and, in many cases may become worse.
Unnatural and inexplicable fatigue and severe malaise (not relieved by rest) are common ailments of an ME sufferer, however there is an accompanying list that is unique to every individual sufferer. Again, an ME sufferer’s symptoms might change or fluctuate during the course of illness and not all people with ME suffer from all the symptoms.
The varying symptoms experienced by many severe ME sufferers may include: -
Muscle, nerve and joint pain and/or stiffness
Disturbed sleep, insomnia, nightmares
Glandular swellings
Migraines
Poor temperature control
Poor circulation
Low-grade fever
Increased sensitivity to bright light, noise and odours
Increased sensitivity to medication
Intolerance to certain foods
Indigestion and nausea
Diarrhoea/constipation
Brain fog
Loss of short-term memory and concentration
Blurred vision and dizziness
Light-headedness and difficulties with balance
Moodiness or depression [brought on by the condition’s difficult recovery]
There are also different stages of ME ranging from slight to VERY severe. Some ME sufferers are mildly affected and manage to juggle work and rest. People with severe ME are bedridden and need 24hour care. Since ME is an erratic and fluctuating condition of highs and lows, improvements and relapses; sufferers often get a taste of the various levels. Indeed, an ME sufferer's condition can vary from one day to another or even hour by hour.
ME is not a contagious illness and some studies have suggested that it could also be a matter of genetics.
Many do improve but not equivalent to full pre-illness levels. It has presently been estimated that between 6 and 12% M.E sufferers in the UK regain full health within two years, but around 60% never regain their previous level of health and up to 20% become permanently disabled. Those sufferers who are diagnosed early and given appropriate advice on managing the illness have the best prognosis.
ME is a multi-system illness and requires investment in biomedical research to provide treatment and a cure. The recent case of Sophia Mirza, who died from ME, shows the urgency of funding research into treatments and in finding a cure. ME is five times more prevalent in the UK than HIV/AIDS.
For a more detailed and comprehensive answer, please view the historical, medical and political overview of M.E provided by Jodi Bassett at: http://www.ahummingbirdsguide.com/whatisme.htm