Adrenaline rush
Adrenaline rush, also called adrenaline crash, and adrenaline surge is a physiological state described in some people with ME/CFS and Long COVID.
Although the word "adrenaline" is used for the phenomenon, it is unknown if the release of adrenaline (epinephrine) is the cause of the phenomenon, which is described as being characterised by:[1][2][3]
- A temporary increase in energy levels compared to baseline
- Inability to rest and anxiety
- Lessening of some symptoms
- Autonomic dysfunction (fast heart rate, jittering / muscle spasms, low heart rate variability etc.)
Possible causes[edit | edit source]
Adrenaline rushes have been described in some patients during and after overexertion, but before post-exertional malaise (or a crash) begins.[1][2][4]
Co-Occurring Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Some patients report Adrenaline rushes co-occurring with temperature dysregulation, specifically a feeling described as “overheating” in various parts of the body.[4]
Prevalence[edit | edit source]
In a 2020 CPET-based study of 44 patients diagnosed with ME/CFS, 25% reported experiencing an adrenaline rush during the study and also in their personal lives during and/or after overexertion.[1]
Symptom recognition[edit | edit source]
An adrenaline rush is similar to the state of being "wired but tired", however tiredness is not necessarily a feature of an adrenaline rush.[5]
It is not to be confused with a panic attack, as a panic attack has a psychological cause, whilst an adrenaline rush has an organic cause.[6]
Notable studies[edit | edit source]
- Stussman B, Williams A, Snow J, Gavin A, Scott R, Nath A and Walitt B (2020) Characterization of Post–exertional Malaise in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Front. Neurol. 11:1025. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.01025
See also[edit | edit source]
Learn more[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Stussman, Barbara; Williams, Ashley; Snow, Joseph; Gavin, Angelique; Scott, Remle; Nath, Avindra; Walitt, Brian (September 18, 2020). "Characterization of Post–exertional Malaise in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Frontiers in Neurology. 11: 1025. doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.01025. ISSN 1664-2295. PMC 7530890. PMID 33071931.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bested, Alison; Marshall, Lynn (August 18, 2015). "Review of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: an evidence-based approach to diagnosis and management by clinicians". Review of Environmental Health. 30 (4): 223–249.
- ↑ Dryden, Jim (March 10, 2021). "Podcast: Loss of smell, heart problems common symptoms for long-haulers". Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Dafoe, Whitney (April 27, 2021). "Extremely Severe ME/CFS-A Personal Account". Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland). 9 (5): 504. doi:10.3390/healthcare9050504. ISSN 2227-9032. PMC 8145314. PMID 33925566.
- ↑ "Chronische Erschöpfung bedeutet nicht, einfach nur müde zu sein". springermedizin.de (in Deutsch). doi:10.1007/s15014-022-4043-z. PMC 9203140. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Panic Disorder: When Fear Overwhelms". National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
