====== ME / CFS ====== >//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. ME/CFS may get worse after people with the illness try to do as much as they want or need to do. This symptom is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM). Other symptoms can include problems with thinking and concentrating, pain, and dizziness. \\ __Researchers have not yet found what causes ME/CFS, and there are no specific laboratory tests to diagnose ME/CFS directly.__ >\\ Source : [[https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/about/index.html|US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.]] ME /CFS is estimated to affect around 0.2 – 0.4% of the general population. //Note:// The worsening of symptoms after physical exertion - PEM, as described above - is a further puzzling aspect. >“Post-exertional malaise following normal activities is unique to ME/CFS and we do not understand the biology underlying this severe and harmful feature of the disease,”\\ Source :[[https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-details-self-reported-experiences-post-exertional-malaise-me-cfs|US NIH]]