In the News

11 September, 2023

What Happens Inside A Long Covid Clinic?

Close to 100 NHS long covid clinics have sprung up. Erin Dean visits one and meets a multidisciplinary team tailoring support for this wide ranging and poorly understood condition.

10 September, 2023

Is Fibromyalgia A Fashionable Diagnosis Or A Medical Mystery?

Despite its prevalence, there is no clear-cut diagnostic path or treatment paradigm for fibromyalgia; this can lead to a multiplicity of symptoms and comorbid conditions that complicate care. “Overlapping symptoms” describe conditions that can occur concomitantly with fibromyalgia and include migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, and pelvic pain syndromes. A variety of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments are available for fibromyalgia, but treatment is best personalized for an individual and recognizes potential comorbidities. Opioids are not the recommended front-line treatment, cannabinoids hold promise but with limitations and nonpharmacologic options, such as aerobic or resistance exercise and cognitive behavior therapy, can play a very important but often underestimated role. Amitriptyline appears to be safe and effective in treating six of the main fibromyalgia domains: pain, disturbed sleep, fatigue, affective symptoms, functional limitations, and impaired cognition (“fibro fog”). Very low-dose naltrexone (2.5-4.5 mg) may offer analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits to fibromyalgia patients, but further studies are needed. Fibromyalgia can be a devastating and debilitating condition for patients, and clinicians are challenged with its diagnosis and treatment as well. Further research as well as compassionate approaches to offering personalized care to those with fibromyalgia are required.

10 September, 2023

Mold, Antibiotics Linked To Controversial Chemical Intolerance

Chemical intolerance is a term used to describe a condition in which the sufferer experiences a complex array of recurrent unspecific symptoms ultimately attributed to low-level chemical exposure that may not affect other people. At this time, it is a controversial issue as to whether it is a clinical diagnosis or not. Many in the medical community lean toward these symptoms being physical manifestations of psychiatric illness rather than a primary medical illness. While others in the medical community, along with organizations, agree that severe chemical intolerance is a real negative physical reaction.

09 September, 2023

Why Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Nothing Like Everyday Tiredness

There's a saying in the myalgic encephalomyelitis community that it's "hard to say, but harder to live with". That rings true for Adelaide resident Dee Sunyata, who lives with the condition, often referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). While the phrase "chronic fatigue" might make it sound like Dee just needs a few extra hours of sleep a day, the reality is devastating. The Adelaide resident says she can no longer safely stand for more than a minute and spends 22 hours a day either lying down or in a reclined position. It's not something any amount of sleep can fix, either.

09 September, 2023

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome May Have A Post-Viral Infection Origin

Professor Maureen R. Hanson of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, has looked into historical outbreaks of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and their association with enteroviruses and other pathogens.

08 September, 2023

Downham Market Girl To Take On Norwich Inflatable 5k To Fundraise For ME Association In Support Of Mother

A young girl from Downham is set to take on a colourful obstacle course later this month to show support for her mother, who has been living in a darkened room for almost two years with a severe medical condition. Evie-Mae MacMurray, 12, will be at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich on September 23 as she takes part in the Norwich Inflatable 5k. She is taking on the challenge as a fundraiser for the ME Association, which supports people like Evie-Mae’s mum Lucy, who has severe ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) – a post-viral fatigue syndrome which is a long-term, multi-system disease that can have a devastating impact on functional ability and quality of life.

08 September, 2023

Marathon Run To Raise Money For Research

A Dunedin woman is running the Emerson’s Dunedin Marathon this weekend to fundraise for research of a serious long-term illness that is on the rise. Dr Megan Elder hoped her fundraising efforts would support her old PhD supervisor and University of Otago emeritus Prof Warren Tate’s research into chronic fatigue syndrome. "I want to support him by raising some money because he works mainly off donations at the moment."

07 September, 2023

Unveiling The Mysteries Of Long COVID Syndrome: Exploring The Distinct Tissue And Organ Pathologies Linked To Prolonged COVID-19 Symptoms

The ongoing battle against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has encountered a complex aspect with the emergence of long COVID syndrome. There has been a growing prevalence of COVID-19-affected individuals experiencing persistent and diverse symptoms that extend beyond the initial infection phase. The phenomenon known as long COVID syndrome raises significant questions about the underlying mechanisms driving these enduring symptoms. This comprehensive analysis explores the complex domain of long COVID syndrome with a view to shed light on the specific tissue and organ pathologies contributing to its intricate nature. This review aims to analyze the various clinical manifestations of this condition across different bodily systems and explore potential mechanisms such as viral persistence, immune dysregulation, autoimmunity, and molecular mimicry. The goal is to gain a better understanding of the intricate network of pathologies contributing to long COVID syndrome. Understanding these distinct pathological indicators provides valuable insights into comprehending the complexities of long COVID and presents opportunities for developing more accurate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, thereby improving the quality of patient care by effectively addressing the ever-changing medical challenge in a more focused manner.

07 September, 2023

Long Haul Ahead: The Prolonged Impact Of Severe Long COVID

A new study has found that many people with post-COVID syndrome who suffer from fatigue six months after a coronavirus infection are still severely physically impaired up to 20 months afterward. The vast majority of patients who develop myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) remain severely ill, with no change. By contrast, patients with similar symptoms who do not meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS experience gradual improvement in their symptoms.

07 September, 2023

Viral Origins Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome May Be Hiding In Plain Sight

As anyone living with chronic fatigue syndrome knows, it can be an infuriating condition made worse by the lack of understanding and no treatment options. But people might be buoyed by the efforts of researchers like Maureen Hanson, a molecular biologist at Cornell University who has revisited the viral origins of chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS) in a new paper.