Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM)

People with ME/CFS experience a worsening of their symptoms after exertion, and this can last for a long time. This is called post exertional malaise (PEM).

Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) - Dr. Inge Zijdewind

People with ME/CFS experience that physical or cognitive exertion worsens their symptoms and that they suffer from this for an extended period. This is known as post exertional malaise (PEM) and is an important symptom for diagnosing ME/CFS. Physical or cognitive exertion affects many processes in the body, such as the heart, blood circulation, and metabolism. It is not yet known why these normal responses lead to symptoms in people with ME/CFS.

The aim of this project is to understand how physical and cognitive exertion can worsen ME/CFS symptoms. Fifty people with ME/CFS are participating and performing a variety of tasks. The physical effects before, during, and after these tasks are monitored. Changes in symptoms are linked to how well participants were able to perform the tasks, by assessing hand strength, fatigability, and cognitive performance. The researchers also examine how symptom changes relate to alterations in metabolism, as well as blood flow and activity in the brain.

Gaining a better understanding of PEM may help unravel the mechanisms underlying ME/CFS. With deeper insight into these processes, the disease is expected to become easier to treat.

Dr. Inge Zijdewind

University Medical Center Groningen

Inge Zijdewind’s research focuses on fatigue and fatigability in healthy volunteers and in various patient groups.

Antibodies

The immune system, or defense system, protects our body against intruders such as viruses and bacteria. There is evidence that disrupted immune responses are involved in ME/CFS.