DIAGNOSE & CARING FOR PATIENTS
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), or myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS0 is a neurological, infection-associated chronic illness. That means the majority of people report an infection prior to onset. Many diseases classified as neurological are infection-associated, including multiple sclerosis and disorders of the autonomic nervous system. Studies show that approximately half of the Long COVID population meets the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS at six months.
In 2015, the US National Academy of Medicine created new diagnostic criteria for myalgic
encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome ("the IOM criteria") to affirmatively diagnose ME through a core set of symptoms including post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive dysfunction, and orthostatic intolerance,
along with significant loss of functional capacity - an inability to carry out everyday activities.
The IOM criteria is helpful for providing a quick diagnosis, but to understand the full spectrum of symptoms, we recommend clinicians review the CCC criteria.
(2003)
MAJOR SYMPTOMS INCLUDE
-
Post-exertional malaise
-
Unrefreshing sleep
-
Cognitive dysfunction and/or orthostatic intolerance.
Many patients also experience a range of other neurological, autonomic, and immunological symptoms either as a permanent feature of their illness or during a “crash” or flare. These symptoms include:
-
Pain in the muscles and joints
-
Headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
-
Cognitive symptoms such as confusion, difficulty retrieving words, poor working memory, spatial instability, and disorientation
-
Sensitivity to light, sound or vibration, taste, odor or touch
-
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or abdominal pain
-
Muscle fatigability, weakness and fasciculation; poor coordination and ataxia
-
Autonomic and endocrine symptoms such as poor temperature regulation, cold or heat intolerance
-
Immune symptoms such as tender lymph nodes, recurrent sore throats, fevers, or flu-like symptoms, and new food or chemical sensitivities
MANAGEMENT
While there are currently no FDA-approved treatments for ME/CFS, many patients can live a higher quality of life if they have access to a healthcare provider who can help them:
1. Pace activity to minimize exacerbating symptoms
2. Manage their symptoms such as neuropathies, pain, unrefreshing sleep, and orthostatic intolerance
3. Treat common comorbidities
Learn more about diagnosing and treating ME/CFS: Read the concise clinical review in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings. To delve deeper, read the ME/CFS Essentials of Diagnosis & Management in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
RESOURCES
MEpedia is a crowdsourced database on the history, science and medicine of ME, CFS, and related diseases.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Join the global directory: Are you an ME/CFS specialist or a clinician ally? Get listed in our a global directory. No matter what your specialty, you can support patients by providing informed and compassionate care.