Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Blogger

CHAPTER XVII MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS or EPIDEMIC NEUROMYASTHENIA Taken from 147-152 pages of A. Melvin Ramsay and Ronald T.D. Emond's "Infectious Diseases" (Second Edition) 1978  book .  Synopsis Myalgic encephalomyelitis or epidemic neuromyasthenia is a condition suggesting a primary infective process for which an aetiological agent has not yet been identified. Epidemics have been reported in various parts of the world since 1934. Approximately two-thirds of the cases show objective evidence of involvement of the central nervous system; tender foci occur in the muscles in rather more than a third of all cases; general asthenia and inability to concentrate are features of most cases and there is usually a prolonged aftermath characterised by emotional lability and fatigue. Relapses are common and may continue to occur over a period of many years. Some patients are left with permanent neurological and psychological sequelae; others recover uneventfully. An abnorma...

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - is it a real disease? Charles Shepherd MB, BS (Vice President to the M.E. Association) This article was first published in The Practitioner on 8th January 1989 MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS (M.E.) has divided the medical profession for 30 years and has become the subject of considerable media publicity. As a consequence, many patients who are “tired all the time”, or have “undiagnosed ill health,” want to know if they could have this controversial illness. Many doctors remain perplexed as to whether M.E. has a genuine organic basis. Current research strongly points to M.E. being the result of a viral illness, with enteroviruses and the reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus being the most favoured culprits. The continuing viral presence within the muscle cells causes energy metabolism dysfunction. Historical perspective Numerous outbreaks of M.E. have been reported over the past 50 years, particularly from temperate climates and closed communities...