What is ME/CFS?
In short, in its severe stage, it is the worst non-fatal physical disease you can have.
ME/CFS is a severe, physical and complex disease, usually caused by a viral infection. Because so little research has been done on it, scientists are not sure about the
underlying cause yet.
An incorrect response of the immune system to an infection is likely which then, as in a chain reaction, leads to a dysregulation of the immune system, the nervous system, the endocrine system, the energy metabolic system and the cardiovascular system.
The disturbed immune regulation also leads to a sustained T-cell activation and a reduced function of natural killer cells.
Who is prone to develop ME/CFS is also still unclear. There are probably two factors:
-An infection at the time of high physical activity or stress load
-familial disposition (heredity)
0.2-0.4% of the world's population is affected. Approx. 300k in Germany, 4m. in the US and 17m. people worldwide.
The main symptom is the so-called Post Exertional Malaise (PEM). This describes the worsening of the symptoms after physical and/or
cognitive effort.
Just because it's not a progressive, fatal disease doesn't mean people don't die from it. ME/CFS, especially in combination with being bedridden, can lead to secondary diseases. That’s why the number of deaths from cancer and heart failure is significantly
increased in ME/CFS patients.
Life expectancy is shortened by 20 years for ME/CFS patients with cancer and 25 years for those with heart failure.
Most common causes of death in ME/CFS patients are:
20,1%: Heart failure
20,1%: Suicide
19,4%: Cancer
11,1%: Complications from ME/CFS (e.g. infections, renal failure, respiratory failure)
Because of the severity of the disease, prejudice, disbelief and the lack of help for those affected, the suicide rate is about 7 times higher than that of other people.
This is ME/CFS.
#mecfs #mecfsawareness #pwme #myalgicencephalomyelitis #chronicillness #chronicfatigue #mecfs #mecfsrecovery #cirs #mecfsfighter #mecfsgermany #millionsmissing #pots #postexertionalmalaise #pem #biomarker #treatments #disability #chronicfatiguesyndromewarrior
Addition: it can be fatal.
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.