Chronic fatigue – the misunderstood disease

Variously called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID), the disease generally known as chronic fatigue can sometimes elicit ridicule, yet it is no laughing matter…

The condition is characterised by intense fatigue after even the most minor of exertions, which lasts for a long time, along with joint pain, sore throat and headaches. It often manifests following a viral or bacterial infection.

This complex disease is still poorly understood, both by the general public and even doctors themselves, and often represents a heavy burden for sufferers. Nevertheless, there is now a blood test you can take to detect it, thanks to Stanford University researchers.

Their study revealed that blood samples from chronic fatigue sufferers presented a point of electric current when cellular stress was induced by adding sodium, compared to no effect observed in
controls. Though small, this breakthrough represents a first step towards understanding this disease and helping patients.