Chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis [ME], or fibromyalgia, or post-viral fatigue syndrome)

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is established as a recognized syndrome or illness. It is estimated that at least 300,000 people in the UK suffer from ME/CFS. Some CFS sufferers have been found to have much higher levels of choline than other people in the areas of the brain related to voluntary movement. The overwhelming symptom of ME/CFS is long-lasting and debilitating fatigue that is medically otherwise unexplained. Other symptoms often associated with this are muscle pains, tender neck or armpit glands, poor sleep, or mood disturbances. Symptoms of CFS often develop after a flu-type virus, or glandular fever, or an Epstein-Barr type of virus infection. Some medications can apparently help with some of the symptoms: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief, sleep-enhancing medication, low dose tricyclic anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, and so on. Sometimes the symptoms just disappear after a significant period of time, especially if there has been a change in lifestyle, attitude, or environment.