Is CFS a serious illness?

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious, long-term illness that affects many body systems. People with ME/CFS are often not able to do their usual activities. At times, ME/CFS may confine them to bed. People with ME/CFS have severe fatigue and sleep problems.

Is myalgic encephalomyelitis the same as fibromyalgia?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (also called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) is more often tied to immune-system abnormalities than fibromyalgia. And fibromyalgia is generally more painful than ME/CFS. But both conditions affect multiple systems in the body.

How do you get myalgic encephalomyelitis?

Causes of ME/CFS

  1. viral infections, such as glandular fever.
  2. bacterial infections, such as pneumonia.
  3. problems with the immune system.
  4. a hormone imbalance.
  5. your genes – ME/CFS seems to be more common in some families.

Why is it called myalgic encephalomyelitis?

The term myalgic encephalomyelitis is a portmanteau of several of the key signs and symptoms of the disease: myalgic (muscle pain), encephalo (brain), myel (spinal cord), itis (inflammation). The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) are inflamed.

Will CFS ever go away?

There is no cure or approved treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). However, some symptoms can be treated or managed. Treating these symptoms might provide relief for some patients with ME/CFS but not others.

Is CFS a mental illness?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a “serious, debilitating” condition with a cluster of clear physical symptoms — not a psychological illness — a panel of experts reported Tuesday as it called for more research into a disease that may affect as many as 2.5 million Americans.

Does myalgic encephalomyelitis show up on MRI?

Results. Data showed that ME/CFS has been a subject of MRI studies for decades. Even so, it was not until the past decade when the brainstem emerged in the research line applying MRI, especially in terms of brainstem function (Table 1 and Figure 2).

Is CFS a disability?

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a hidden disability thought to affect over a quarter of a million people in the UK.