The British Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalopathy (BACME) has published guidelines for therapy and symptom management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalopathy (CFS/ME). The first part of this paper is a symptom management guide. The second half provides guidance for therapists providing treatment options for patients with CFS/ME.
CFS/ME is defined as a “syndrome with a characteristic pattern of symptoms but no consistent abnormalities on physical examination or on imaging/laboratory evaluation.” This is often a diagnoses of exclusion. BACME provides a synopsis which discusses evaluation by a medical examiner and treatment. Treatment options range from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Graded Exercise Therapy (GET), or varying medications.
Symptoms from CFS/ME may range from fatigue, pain, cognitive difficulties, sore throat/swollen glands, sleep disturbance, or post exertional malaise. This ultimately results from dysregulation of the neuroendocrine, autonomic nervous system, and immune response. Known trigger factors for CFS/ME may include infection, injury, sleep disturbance, or stress. Predisposing factors can be genetic, environmental, or due to prior trauma.
This guideline offers an excellent synopsis regarding the symptoms and disease management. It is beneficial for any medical provider needing assistance in understanding CFS/ME and how to treat it.
CFS/ME is defined as a “syndrome with a characteristic pattern of symptom but no consistent abnormalities on physical examination or on imaging/laboratory evaluation.” This is often a diagnosis of exclusion. BACME provides a synopsis which discusses evaluation by a medical examiner and treatment. Treatment options range from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Graded Exercise Therapy (GET), or varying medications.
Symptoms from CFS/ME may range from fatigue, pain, cognitive difficulties, sore throat/swollen glands, sleep disturbance, or post exertional malaise. This ultimately results from dysregulation of the neuroendocrine, autonomic nervous system, and immune response. Known trigger factors for CFS/ME may include infection, injury, sleep disturbance, or stress. Predisposing factors can be genetic, environmental, or due to prior trauma.
This guideline offers an excellent synopsis regarding the symptoms and disease management. It is beneficial for any medical provider needing assistance in understanding CFS/ME and how to treat it.