International ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 12 May

What Is International ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 12 May?

International ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 12 May focuses on remembrance as well as education and support. It highlights two critical yet often neglected diseases—Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia.

These patients live with crippling pain, unrelenting fatigue, mental fog, and for a lot of them, the inability to work. Some patients struggle to leave the house. This day is for learning, sharing, and supporting one another.

🧠 What Are ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia?

Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome (CMP) and fibromyalgia are both chronic illnesses. This means they have a long-lasting effect. Also, they impact individuals in various ways.

The Symptoms of ME/CFS:

• Severe tiredness even after resting.
• Difficulty thinking clearly (known as “brain fog”).
• Pain in the muscles and joints.
• Problems sleeping and dizziness.

The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia:

• Pain all over the body.
• Stiffness upon waking.
• Memory and sleeping issues.
• Heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and temperature.

Though these illnesses are unique, they share many common signs. This is the reason they are recognized together on International ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 12 May.

🧬 What is the Cause of These Conditions?

These conditions have not been fully understood by the doctors and researchers. They both may stem from an infection, an injury, or severe stress.

Some individuals might have a family history with such conditions. Others might develop these symptoms without an apparent reason.

As a result of the absence of definitive tests, these individuals feel like no action is taken. Due to a lack of education surrounding the diseases, even medical professionals tend to question their validity; this is the reason awareness is crucial.

📅 Why May 12?

May 12 commemorates Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. After getting an infection, her life changed completely. Just like the many symptoms she battled for the rest of her life.

International ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day was created to raise awareness about these conditions by using the date of May 12th, which serves as a reminder that strong individuals also suffer silently at times.

💔 The Daily Struggle of Living with ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia

People with these conditions encounter different challenges that are often not visible towards the outside.

• These people tend to lose jobs, friends, and hobbies.
• Many self-care and pay for care-giving assistance.
• Seclusion and loneliness becomes frequent.
• Lack of good mental health is common in such situations.

On International ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 12 May, people together pause their routines to understand these challenges and listen to these individuals. We strive to learn about issues involving these individuals and make them better.

💪 How You Can Show Support

Giving hope to people makes a positive impact. Even minor measures are welcome.

• Use blue or purple clothing as a supporting symbol.
• Share a post or make a statement on a social platform.
• Use hashtags like #MECFSawareness or #FibromyalgiaAwareness.
• Contribute monetarily to research or advocacy groups.
• Have a conversation with one of the suffers

You can advocate for someone and aid a sense of invisibility amongst them by changing the perception that these individuals feel unheard or unseen.

🔬 The Call for Better Research and Treatment

ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia do not have a defined treatment, thus no functional cure exists. Only symptom control is available under treatment, having limited durations of effectiveness.

There is why doctors and researchers need more funding. There is also a need for better training for doctors. Patients need access to more caregiving options.

International ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 12 May works towards seeking help. It aims to push governments and public health systems to advance their efforts.

🧠 Final Thought on International ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia awareness day 12 May

This day is not just another date marked on the calendar. It serves as a hope for those who have been termed as ‘forgotten.’

Let’s not forget: these are real illnesses. The people with these illnesses are real, The pain is real.

Observe ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 12 May for educational, advocacy, and outreach efforts to seek changes globally.