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