Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

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Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome, also known as M.E. or Yuppie Flu,

In may 1956 a leading article in the Lancet entitled "A New Clinical Entity?"  suggested that the term "Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis" might be suitable for the large numbers of outbreaks of infectious disease which had been reported in the medical literature over the previous 20 years. From a considerable list of synonyms myalgic encephalomyelitis has been generally adopted, and is now colloquially called M.E. The adjective "benign" has been omitted since the condition, though unaccompanied by any mortality, is far from "benign for those victims who suffer permanent physical incapacity as a sequel to the attack. The term "myalgic" is certainly fully justified since an almost unique form of muscle fatigability is the dominant clinical feature of syndrome which may manifest itself in both epidemic and endemic forms, while "encephalomyelitis" is likewise justified in that the condition is accompanied by varying degrees of cerebral dysfunction.

Although Coxsackie group B viruses were shown to be the aetiological agent in two outbreaks in Scotland in 1980, virological and serological investigations in most outbreaks have failed to detect any specific virus, Nevertheless, interest in the condition has been further aroused by three papers in the American press describing "prolonged and atypical illnesses" following infection with Epstein-Barr (EB) virus and these illnesses are virtually identical with ME. Discussing evidence of immunological imbalance presented in these papers a leading article in the Lancet in May 1985 states that "although these observations do not prove that EB virus causes chronic ill-health, nevertheless whatever the underlying mechanism -- wether continuing infection per se or an immuno-regulator disorder -- the patients may be much helped by the knowledge that their persistent vague symptoms could have an organic basis. I am in no doubt that in the very near future it will be fully established that ME. is an organically determined entity.

                             Quote taken from Dr Melvin Ramsay

Ok, lets try to explain a little more about how this affects a person, First, and a very important thing to remember, is that no two people are the same !! it can and does affect age ranges from Children as young as 10 years of age, to the older people of 60 plus, However, there does seem to be a common factor in as much as it mainly seems to affect either the brain, or the muscles, for the people that have the brain infected then it leads to very severe headache's, loss of balance, vomiting, lethargy, blurred vision, and pain induced from light, or sound, For those affected in the muscle, then this leads to total lack of control from the muscles, usually in the legs purporting the use of wheel chairs, and for some, even the loss of doing everyday things like having the energy to dress or move, weight loss usually follows but the main reason for this is through lack of eating, or of not being able to, very deep depression also sets in through the inability to act a normal life, and do things that was once taken for granted, there is no doubt in my mind that also the food that is eaten plays a major part as well, I know if Catherine has Yoghurt, Coffee, Brown Bread, Cheese, Yeast, and many other things which she will tell you about in her pages, then she is set back by about two weeks !!! click here to go direct to "Catherine's page"