ME/CFS Information

ME/CFS is a complex and disabling disease that affects many systems of the body. These include, but are not limited to, the brain, muscles, digestive, immune and cardiac systems.

A diagnosis of ME/CFS can raise many different questions. There is often a lot of information to absorb, and advice from many different sources.

This page will provide you with information to help you understand the symptoms people living with ME/CFS experience and how they might affect their ability to participate in everyday life.

Emerge Australia Patient Support and Information Services Team

If you have questions about ME/CFS that haven't been answered through these information pages, please contact our us on 1800 865 321 or you can contact us here.

How to support your friend who lives with ME/CFS or Long COVID

Emerge Australia has put together this guide to help you understand what someone with ME/CFS may be experiencing, and to provide some tips to help support them to stay connected. Read more

Basics of ME/CFS

Join Emerge Australia's Nurse Educator Kate Herbert as we dive into the basics of ME/CFS, including outdated and current understanding of ME/CFS, the importance of post-exertional malaise (PEM) in diagnosis, and management techniques such as pacing that you can use to manage life with ME/CFS. Read more

What is ME/CFS?

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex and disabling disease that affects many parts of the body, including the brain and muscles, digestive, immune and cardiac systems. ME is classified as a neurological disorder by the World Health Organization. Read more

Diagnosis

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) can affect anyone of any age and background. While there is currently no diagnostic test for ME/CFS, an accurate diagnosis can be made by a doctor using accepted diagnostic criteria. Read more

ME/CFS Facts

ME/CFS is a complex illness and has been misunderstood by doctors and scientists worldwide. As we move forward and learn about ME/CFS there are some important key facts Emerge Australia wants to share. Read more

Associated Conditions

In addition to ME/CFS, it common for people living with ME/CFS to have other conditions including fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and orthostatic intolerance amongst others. Read more

Latest

Research Digest 30/3/23

Welcome to the Research Digest’s 93rd edition. This month's edition summarises research that investigates factors that influence the prognosis of ME/CFS and demonstrates that high muscle sodium content, maybe a contributing factor to the pathophysiology of ME/CFS. A review is also highlighted that conveys what is presently known about Long COVID and finally, a local study sheds light on brain structure changes that are common to Long COVID and ME/CFS.
Run Melbourne 2023

We're participating in Run Melbourne 2023. Join now to help reach our goal by running, walking or performing your own activity with us!
Tom’s buzz for ME/CFS

I'm fundraising to give hope and help to the 250,000 people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) across Australia, including my older brother Zach.
GP Education at GPCE in 2023

We know how difficult it is to find a GP with knowledge of ME/CFS. One of the main aims for our GP education program is to grow the GP workforce confident to take on people with complex presentations.