In the News

27 May, 2024

Exercise Does Not Cause Post-Exertional Malaise In Veterans With Gulf War Illness: A Randomized, Controlled, Dose–Response, Crossover Study

Chronic multisymptom illnesses (CMI) such as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, long-COVID, and Gulf War Illness (GWI) are associated with an elevated risk of post-exertional malaise (PEM), an acute exacerbation of symptoms and other related outcomes following exercise. These individuals may benefit from personalized exercise prescriptions which prioritize risk minimization, necessitating a better understanding of dose–response effects of exercise intensity on PEM.

27 May, 2024

Long Covid Course Is ‘Exploiting People’, Says Ex-GB Rower

A former Team GB rower claims a treatment she underwent for long Covid leaves participants feeling "blamed" for being ill. Oonagh Cousins was offered a free place on a course run by the Lightning Process, which teaches people they can rewire their brains to stop or improve long Covid symptoms quickly. Ms Cousins, who contracted Covid in March 2020, said it "exploits" people.

27 May, 2024

Fibromyalgia, IBS Patients Linked To Multiple-Drug Intolerance

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center study findings may help physicians diagnose patients who would benefit from drug allergy evaluations.

26 May, 2024

ME Alliance To Hold June Fundraiser With Band At Twyford

Twyford Parish Hall will be alive with the sounds of swing and soul this June to raise funds for a local non-profit organisation. On Saturday, June 8 The Liam White band, who regularly play at the Concorde Club, will be performing at the parish hall to raise funds for The ME/CFS Alliance.

26 May, 2024

Author Profile — Stuart Murdoch

“I would never have written a book without chronic fatigue. I would never have been in a band without ME”

26 May, 2024

From Infection To Chronic Illness: Learning From Long COVID

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has caused unexplained, chronic, post-infection symptoms in survivors. The phenomenon, known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection or "long COVID," surfaced shortly after COVID-19 testing was introduced to the public, and doctors began noting a pattern of onset of chronic fatigue and dysautonomia in patients who had recovered from acute COVID-19 infection. Yet, SARS-CoV-2 is not the only pathogen that has been linked to chronic symptoms. While there are known links between bacterial and viral infections with post-acute infection syndromes, much is still unknown about the mechanisms that underpin these illnesses or why they occur.

25 May, 2024

From Infection To Chronic Illness: Learning From Long COVID

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has caused unexplained, chronic, post-infection symptoms in survivors. The phenomenon, known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection or “Long COVID,” surfaced shortly after COVID-19 testing was introduced to the public, and doctors began noting a pattern of onset of chronic fatigue and dysautonomia in patients who had recovered from acute COVID-19 infection. Yet, SARS-CoV-2 is not the only pathogen that has been linked to chronic symptoms. While there are known links between bacterial and viral infections with post-acute infection syndromes, much is still unknown about the mechanisms that underpin these illnesses or why they occur. A silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic is that it reignited research interest in this field. How can we better recognize and treat these chronic disabilities? We dive into the research to better understand the relationship between microbe and host, as well as the immunological landscape these pathogens leave behind.

25 May, 2024

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Protesters Call For Specialist ME Services

A former champion Irish dancer who has myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) has joined other protesters calling for better support for those with the condition.

25 May, 2024

Groundbreaking Discover ME Campaign With Virtual Reality Experience Comes To Portadown

Hope 4 ME & Fibro NI have teamed up with Libraries NI to bring their powerful Discover ME campaign to Portadown Library through a moving VR experience. The Discover ME campaign has been organised by the Charity Hope 4 ME & Fibro NI, as part of an ongoing initiative to raise awareness for the medical conditions Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), Fibromyalgia, Long Covid and other Post Viral Syndromes (PVS) such conditions can demonstrate overlapping characteristics. Members of the public are invited to Portadown Library from 10-11am on Monday, June 3 to have the opportunity to experience the Discover ME virtual reality awareness film and have access to a variety of information and resources.

24 May, 2024

Deciphering Nociplastic Pain: Clinical Features, Risk Factors And Potential Mechanisms

Nociplastic pain is a mechanistic term used to describe pain that arises or is sustained by altered nociception, despite the absence of tissue damage. Although nociplastic pain has distinct pathophysiology from nociceptive and neuropathic pain, these pain mechanisms often coincide within individuals, which contributes to the intractability of chronic pain. Key symptoms of nociplastic pain include pain in multiple body regions, fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, depression and anxiety. Individuals with nociplastic pain are often diffusely tender — indicative of hyperalgesia and/or allodynia — and are often more sensitive than others to non-painful sensory stimuli such as lights, odours and noises. This Review summarizes the risk factors, clinical presentation and treatment of nociplastic pain, and describes how alterations in brain function and structure, immune processing and peripheral factors might contribute to the nociplastic pain phenotype. This article concludes with a discussion of two proposed subtypes of nociplastic pain that reflect distinct neurobiological features and treatment responsivity.