Glossary

A glossary of *key* ME-related terms.

C
Canadian Consensus Criteria

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Crash

E
Energy Envelope Theory

H
Heart rate monitor (HRM) - (noun) a device that measures your heart rate / pulse. Typically a chest strap, wrist strap, or mobile phone app. See also Pacing with a heart rate monitor

Heart rate variability (HRV) - a measurement of the specific changes in time (or variability) between successive heart beats. This is related to autonomic and cardiovascular function. See also Pacing with a heart rate monitor

I
International Consensus Criteria

M
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

O
Orthostatic intolerance (OI) -- is the development of symptoms when standing upright which are relieved when reclining

P
pacing - the practice of staying within one's 'energy envelope' by interspersing periods of activity with periods of rest. Patients may use pacing with a heart rate monitor as an objective measure of exertion.

payback - see post-exertional malaise

post-exertional malaise (PEM)- (noun) a worsening of ME symptoms due to physical or cognitive exertion

post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion -- see post-exertional malaise

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) -- a form of orthostatic intolerance where the cardinal symptom is excessive tachycardia due to changing position (e.g. from lying down to sitting up).

PwME Person with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

T
Two-day cardiopulmonary exercise test