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M.E. - The Illness


  • M.E. can be described as an INVISIBLE CHRONIC ILLNESS.
    • There are no visible symptoms to see such as a rash or a cut.
    • Most M.E. sufferers are so ill or in so much pain that they are house-bound.  Thus, they are out-of-sight.
  • M.E. is a chronic, debilitating multi-system disorder comprised of numerous symptoms which include extreme malaise, pain, cognitive dysfunction, and overwhelming fatigue.  At this time there is no cure for this illness.  M.E. has similar symptoms to many disorders, but should not be confused with them.
  • The links at left will guide you through information regarding M.E.
  • The information presented here is not intended to be comprehensive, but rather, to be a starting point for readers to find relevant information about M.E.
  • The links to external web sites are not intended to be a complete listing of all M.E. sites on the internet.  However, you will discover that most of the links that are provided, have many more links to peruse.
 
WHO GETS M.E.?
  • Anyone can be afflicted with M.E. at anytime.
  • Higher incidence is noted among those in high public contact such as teachers, students, healthcare workers and airline attendants.
WHAT CAUSES M.E.?
  • No one knows.
  • It usually starts after an infection (such as influenza, bronchitis, mononucleosis, etc.)
  • It may start after a severe physical trauma (such as an automobile accident).
  • In rare cases, it starts as a slow progression of symptoms which takes the sufferer and physician months or years to recognize as M.E.
CAN CHILDREN GET M.E.?
  • Yes.
  • Children exhibit some symptoms differently than adults which makes it difficult to diagnose M.E. in children.
IS THERE A CURE FOR M.E.?
  • No.
ARE THERE TREATMENTS FOR M.E.?
  • Not really.
  • The universal remedy is REST, and lots of it.
  • Symptoms may be treatable, but the illness as a whole is not treatable.
  • M.E. sufferers must learn what there limits are, and try to live as comfortably as possible within these limits.  Unfortunately, for many M.E. sufferers, their limits are so severe that it's impossible for them to live comfortably.
  • Useful treatments may include:

 
 

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