Please note: Throughout the years, as the medical community has tried to pinpoint just what this illness is, they've come up with different names, each with a similar but different definition. As time has passed, it has emerged that they were actually looking at various sub-groups of illnesses. Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are believed to fall under the umbrella term 'ME/CFS'. To make it easier for you to read through this page, Sleepydust will use the term 'ME/CFS' to refer to them collectively.

ME/CFS is a complex illness and a lot more research needs to be done before we understand it fully. Not enough is known about ME/CFS and no universal cure has yet been found.

Having said that, it is possible to for many sufferers to recover a partial or significant amount of their former health, and some even recover completely from M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome...

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Then you may be interested in the free Sleepydust E-Magazine, which provides lots of free information and the latest news about ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

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To date, medical research suggests that there are numerous possible causes of ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome...

What Are The Specific ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes?

No-one knows exactly what causes M.E./ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but there are several theories.

However, more and more research now proves that ME/CFS is most definitely not 'all in the head', as many still mistakenly believe (more...).

Ever since around 1970, when two psychiatrists published a controversial paper in the British Medical Journal, saying that M.E. was hysterical, the condition has been inaccurately perceived as being psychological.

Although a more accurate picture of the actual ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome causes is emerging, there still remain many medical professionals who still mistakenly believe that the illness is 'all in the sufferer's head'. This has resulted in thousands of sufferers not receiving the adequate care, support and medical advice they so badly need.

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Cause Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /ME

Experts and researchers seem to suggest that there are numerous possible causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /ME.

In his highly recommended book, Living With M.E., Dr Shepherd writes:

"It now appears that ME/CFS may be a three-stage illness involving:

(a) predisposing factors which make people more susceptible;

(b) events which then act as stressors on the immune system and so trigger the onset;

(c) factors which are then responsible for perpetuating the symptoms and resulting disability."

-- Dr Charles Shepherd,
'Living With M.E.: The Chronic/Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome', p25 --

Some possible / proposed causes have yet to be proven. Other causes are only relevant in some cases. But there do exist some known causes of ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for which there is apparently reliable research evidence.

In the same book, 'Living With M.E.' (p.26), Dr Shepherd lists the following causes of ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as having "reliable research evidence" that suggests that they can trigger ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome :

Brain abnormalities
Changes in levels of hormones and chemical transmitters
Sleep disturbances
Viral infections (this can include instances where the illness is referred to as Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome) including:
- Enteroviruses (including polio, coxsackie, echoviruses and hepatits )
- Epstein - Barr Virus infection (often mispelt as Epstien Bar , or Epstien Bar Virus ). Epstein-Barr is a common cause of Glandular Fever (which is referred to as 'Infectious Mononucleosis ' in the USA).
Pesticides
Toxins
Vaccinations

Dr Shepherd also lists the following ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome causes as being "relevant in some cases":

Stress
Psychological factors
Depression
Poor coping strategy

And finally, Dr Shepherd lists the following have "roles as yet uncertain":

Persisting infection
Immune disturbance
Muscle abnormalities
Change in blood flow
Other infections

However, since Dr Shepherd's book has been published, many more discoveries have come to light. You can read the latest news and discoveries about ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia here...

What Helps? Reviews Of Helpful Items And Supplements For ME / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Sufferers - Click Here...

Can A Virus Infection Be A Possible Cause Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /ME?

In her book M.E., Dr Anne Macintyre discusses the possibility that in some cases, ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome could be a persistent virus infection. This view seems to be quite common among ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome experts.

"It now seems possible that in some cases, part of a virus is remaining inside cells, and is interfering with the cells' functions."

-- Dr Anne Macintyre, 'M.E.', p46 --

However, Dr Macintyre later goes on to explain that:

"People may worry that ME/CFS is itself infectious. The microbes that could cause ME/CFS are carried by a large percentage of the population, in the throat, nose or in the gut, without causing any ill-health. It does not appear that people with ME/CFS are any more likely to spread these common bugs about than the rest of the population."

-- Dr Anne Macintyre, 'M.E.', p49 --

Some experts suggest that the cause of ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome could even be a virus that has not yet been identified.

Top 3 Books On ME/PVFS/CFS

1. Read review: 'Living With M.E.' by Charles Shepherd

2. Read review: 'M.E.: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome' by Anne MacIntyre

3. Read review: 'The Chonic Fatigue Healing Diet' by Christine Craggs-Hinton

More ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia book reviews...

Please note: Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are believed to fall under the umbrella term 'ME/CFS'. To make it easier for you to read through this page, we have used the term 'ME/CFS' or 'ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome' to refer to them collectively. So this page gives you a very broad view of the possible causes. However, it's worth bearing in mind that ME/CFS consists of sub-groups of illnesses, some yet unidentified, and each with different definitions and causes that are specific to that sub-group.

Next, stress can be both a cause and a symptom of ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ...

Back to main section on Myalgic Encephalopathy / Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome ...

Category: Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /ME: Covers: Epstien Bar/ Epstein Bar / Epstien Bar Virus, Mononucleosis

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