what is me?
A complex multi-system disease
Affects approx 250,000 in UK (more than MS or PD)
No single cause. No cure
Children and adults. Female > male
Affects mobility, cognition, work and quality of life
Varying levels of severity
symptoms & diagnosis
Systems affected include:
endocrine, muscular, immune & neurological
Diagnosis can be problematic leading to inaccuracies in research and practice experience
post exertional malaise
The "Hallmark characteristic"
A worsening of symptoms triggered by physical, cognitive, sensory or emotional exertion
Response is delayed, hours or days after the exertion and can last days, weeks, or indefinitely
Physio interventions CAN trigger PEM
physiological responses
People with ME have an adverse physiological response to physical exertion
Disease-specific changes to:
Heart rate
Blood pressure
Anaerobic threshold
Intracellular acidosis