Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also called chronic fatigue syndrome or ME/CFS, is a long-term condition that can affect different parts of the body. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness. ME/CFS can affect anyone, including children.
Symptoms of ME/CFS
The 4 main symptoms of ME/CFS are:
- Feeling extremely tired all the time (fatigue), which can make daily activities like taking a shower, or going to work or school, difficult.
- Sleep problems, including insomnia, sleeping too much, feeling like you have not slept properly and feeling exhausted or stiff when you wake up.
- Problems with thinking, concentration and memory (brain fog).
- Symptoms getting worse after physical or mental activity, and possibly taking weeks to get better (also called post-exertional malaise, or PEM).
Some people with ME/CFS may also have pain in different parts of the body or flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, headache and aching joints or muscles. Symptoms often get worse when people exceed their usual levels of physical or mental activity or when they have been standing for long periods of time. It can lead to difficulties in attending work or school or participating in social activities. At its most severe, affected individuals can be housebound.
The cause or causes of ME/CFS are not well understood. It can be triggered by certain infections, including infectious mononucleosis and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection. Those who have long COVID often meet the definition of ME/CFS.
