By Liam Corr i The Conversation. Chocolate in all its forms is something that I, along with many others like to indulge in on an almost daily basis. But chocolate as it’s enjoyed today is quite different from when it first arrived in Europe from South America around the 16th century. To the indigenous Aztec people, […]
Updated by Rachel Bartholomew BA (Hons), Dip ION, mBANT, CNHC, GHW in Nutri Advanced. Despite the best marketing efforts of a huge drinks company, energy is not something you can buy in a can. Energy is actually something that your body makes. You supply the raw ingredients (aka food) and your body quickly gets to work on […]
By Hazel Flight in The Conversation. One of life’s true miracles, the humble egg is maybe one of the most versatile foodstuffs on the planet. It’s formed in 24 to 26 hours and hens can lay up to 250 eggs a year. The incredible egg is pure protein and there are numerous (both sweet […]
By Cort Johnson in Health Rising. This blog is one of a continuing series of blogs that are attempting to peer into the future and see what treatments possibly await us. This blog provides an overview on CoQ10 – what forms work best and how to take it – and then takes a look at […]
By Jeremy Howick in The Conversation. Free vitamin D supplements will be sent to over two million clinically vulnerable people in England this winter. Over 80% of patients hospitalised with COVID-19 are vitamin D deficient compared with the general population. In a small study, a high dose of vitamin D appeared to reduce the severity of COVID-19. […]
By Rochelle Embling, Aimee Pink, Laura Wilkinson and Menna Price in The Conversation. It’s well known that a healthy diet can help reduce disease risks that are related to overweight or obesity – such as some cancers, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As part of a healthy diet, experts around the world advise people to consume a […]
From the Matt Ridley Online Blog. A groundbreaking new study points to a cheap, safe, effective way of tackling Covid My article with MP David Davis, for the Telegraph: As we face six tough months of curfews, isolation and economic misery, with vaccines a distant hope, testing struggling to control the virus, and […]
By Alisia Welch and Richard Hayhoe in The Conversation. As we get older, our skeletal muscle mass, strength and power to move gradually decline, which may lead to a condition called sarcopenia. Sarcopenia affects more than 50 million people over the age of 50 years worldwide, and contributes to type 2 diabetes, frailty, physical disability, loss of independence […]
From Health Rising. Ritalin Is… a central nervous system stimulant. Created in 1954, Ritalin has been in use for over sixty years. (Check out a History of Ritalin here). It was first FDA approved in 1955 to treat ‘hyperactivity’ and later was approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Ritalin increases extracellular levels […]
By Erik Meijaard in The Conversation. Born in the Netherlands and brought up in Germany, it wasn’t until I was 21 that I met my first coconut. It was on a beach in Thailand where I ended up during a one-year sojourn away from home, trying to grow up. With nothing better to do, […]
By David C Gaze in The Conversation. It has been suggested that taking vitamin D may protect people from getting COVID-19. But should we be using supplements to ward off the virus? We need to separate fact from fiction. Vitamin D is essential for maintaining overall health, especially for bones, teeth and muscle. It regulates the […]
From Jisc R&D. This study is looking to recruit both healthy individuals and those with a diagnosis of MILD ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue). The aim is to investigate how food impacts your performance on 2 short cognitive tests, a colour naming task and a memory task. Participants will be allocated to either a food […]
By Ruth Fairchild in The Conversation. A recent study found that brown and organic rice sold in the UK tends to contain significantly more arsenic than white inorganic varieties that are often considered less healthy. Arsenic is found in many foods but can be especially concentrated in rice, particularly in the husk, which is removed to […]
By Clare Sansom in Chemistry World. All disease begins in the gut. That saying is attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who gave his name to the oath that doctors still use today. It is undoubtedly a simplification, but an enormous range of diseases, many with no digestive symptoms, have been associated […]
By Laura Brown and Kelly Jones in The Conversation. Plant-based diets have been popular in the media recently, but research shows that going vegetarian or vegan isn’t only good for the environment, but for our health, too. Meat-rich diets are linked to a range of health problems, from heart disease and strokes to type two diabetes and some cancers. […]
By Christine Byrne in Huffpost. On the surface, a plant-based diet sounds simple. And although it’s been trending lately, the idea of eating “mostly plants” has been in the zeitgeist since Michael Pollan spelled it out in “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” in 2006. That said, anyone who has tried to move towards a […]
By Michael Cole in The Conversation. It is estimated that there is a staggering £300m worth of medicine unused in the UK every year. But is it safe to take these medicines if they are past their expiry date? Expiry dates are put in place after rigorous trialling and controlled experiments to ensure the safety […]
By J Bernadette Moore, Mark Hopkins and Matthew Campbell in The Conversation. Imagine a synthetic product that can give your body all the essential nutrients it needs to survive, is easy to prepare, affordable, and has a low environmental impact. While it might sound too good to be true, this is what Huel, […]
By Chloe Laversuch in YorkMix. A popular city centre restaurant is set to expand into a neighbouring shop. Ate O’Clock on High Ousegate has applied for planning permission to take over the former Joy store next door to its entrance. If the proposals go ahead, the company would create a new deli shop […]
By Cini Bhanu in The Conversation. Dehydration is associated with a higher risk of ill health in older people, from having an infection, a fall or being admitted to hospital. But an appetite for food and drink can diminish as people age, so older people should drink regularly, even when they’re not thirsty. Older women […]
Good evening folks ! I got myself out of the house today on the scooter to take Marlie for a bit of a walk. I have a route that takes me past the shops on Broadway in Fulford. I was aware of the opening of a coffee shop at No 52 Broadway, next to the […]
By Damon Rose & Beth Rose in BBC News. With 13 million disabled people in the country, plus their friends and family, the political parties have a huge community to court. Universal credit is still making headlines, while the main parties are divided on what to do with the social care […]
By Oliver van Hecke in The Conversation. GPs in the UK carry out over 300m patient consultations every year and at least a quarter of these deal with children. Almost two-thirds of such appointments are for coughs, sore throats, or earaches – illnesses which young children commonly get. Doctors and nurses group these types of illnesses […]
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INTRODUCTION
The York ME Community is an ME Support and Awareness Group. What I believe we need is awareness of the illness to be raised and for that we need people to learn about ME and tell others. There are ME charities, and if in the future you or your friends or business wish to do a charity run or whatever in aid of ME, I will happily help and support that aim. (more…)
The figures below show the numbers of people with ME recorded in each country. This will be updated as and when fresh information is sourced. It is also acknowledged that it is difficult to be accurate as ME is still not recognised, therefore not recorded in very many countries.
It’s said that 17 million people in the world have ME/CFS – but this figure is no more than a rough guess based on crude prevalence estimates from developed countries (0.2 to 0.4%, including children) applied to the 7 billion inhabitants of planet Earth! In fact, rigorous, robust estimates of the occurrence of the illness in each country are needed, particularly to plan healthcare and allocate funding for research.
If you can update this information, please let me know the figure, plus source if known. I will be looking to add figures and comments from people living in those countries, so as to have a better feel for how things are there.
Where I give a figure tbc, it means this is the figure I have heard, but am seeking a source to confirm.
UK: 260,000. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) estimates the prevalence of CFS / ME to be 'at least' 0.2% to 0.4% of the UK population, implying up to 1 in 250 people affected, or 260,000 in total.28 Sept 2017
(The University of Bristol research in 2011 estimated the number of 11 to 16 year olds with ME at one in 100).
Ireland: 10,000 - 19,000. According to The Irish ME/CFS Association.
USA: 836,000 - 2.5 million According to an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report published in 2015, an estimated 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans suffer from ME/CFS, but most of them have not been diagnosed.
Canada: 560,000. A 2017 Statistics Canada survey revealed that more than 560,000 Canadians reported that they have the disease.
Sweden: 40,000. Riksföreningen för ME-patienter (RME, the Swedish ME Association) estimates that approx 40 000 people in Sweden are living with ME/CFS. Most of them have not been diagnosed.
Australia: 250,000 From Emerge Australia.
Italy: 500,000 tbc.
Malta: Due to unwillingness to diagnose and lack of knowledge on ME, it's difficult for doctors to give an accurate figure. Some doctors say it is approx. 0.02 % same as in Europe.
Portugal: 40,000 tbc.
Romania: 80,000 tbc. Based upon other European ratios, there are as many as 80,000 people living in Romania with M.E.
Slovakia: 20,000 tbc. It's estimated that there are approximately 20,000 people with ME living in Slovakia (in line with other European ratios).
Denmark: 10,000-20,000. Not recognised as a physical illness. Denmark has no national registration of ME patients. The estimate of 10-20.000 patients rely on NICE estimate that 0,2-0.4% of the population has ME. Diagnosing, treatment and health authorities recognition of ME is close to non-existent, even though their parliament voted to change all that...back in March, 2019.
Austria: Not recognised as a physical illness.
Worldwide: 17 million. This figure is given by NHS Choices.
15 - 30 million. This figure is given by #MEAction.
Paul Beresford Conservative, Mole ValleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much Government funding was allocated to biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis in the financial years (a) 2017-18, (b) 2018-19 and (c) 2019-20.
Helen Whately Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)In addition to the funding set out above, the National Institute for Health Research, funded through the Department, and the Medical Research Council have recently announced a £3.2 million award to fund research into potential genetic connections to ME/CFS. The project will analyse samples from 20,000 people with ME/CFS to search for genetic differences that may indicate underlying causes or increase the risk of developing the condition.
Written Question to the Department of Health and Social Care on 22 May 2018 by Carol Monaghan SNP, answered by Caroline Dinenage Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Financial Year
2014-15 £280,442
2015-16 £295,626
2016-17 £130,958
Link to Written Question In Full
The above shows an imbalance when viewed against the cost of ME to the UK economy. A 2017 report from the think tank 2020 health and the Optimum Health Clinic Foundation reported that the cost of CFS/ME to the UK economy was at least £3.3 billion in 2014/15
To read the ME Research Summary 2019 by ME Action covering the previous ten years, click on the link below:
As you will know, Hansard is an edited verbatim record of all matters discussed in Parliament and records all votes and written ministerial statements. You may be interested in when ME has been mentioned, and so a link to that record is below.
Carol Monaghan SNP spoke in Westminster Hall about the need for support and funds for ME Research. Many other MP's spoke passionately on the subject as it affects their constituents UK wide. Click on the link below to watch the full debate.
There has since been an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) formed to discuss the way ahead in helping MP's Constituents with ME. Contact your MP to ensure they're representing you !
To watch the video of Carol Monaghan MP addressing Parliament on M.E., click on the link below:
As we all know, especially those who need Wheelchairs or Mobility Scooters to get around, vehicles parking on pavements and blocking our way can have a major effect on our lives. It can mean that we are likely to put ourselves in danger by going onto busy roads because of inconsiderate parking. 
If you live in York, and you see a vehicle parked across a dropped kerb, call the council's hotline on 0800 138 1119 and the Civil Enforcement Officers will respond and are able to issue tickets. We know this won't help you right then and there, but the hope is that the more people report it, the more people get tickets, then slowly behaviour will start to change.
There are so many questions banded about as to the story of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), but this video gives a better and fuller insight than most. Once you've watched it, please copy the link and spread the word to raise awareness. Thank you.
To watch this video, click on the link below:
The York Access Group is a Facebook group which is aimed at improving Accessibility in York for those trying to get around with a Disability. Feedback on bad, and good Accessibility of shops, streets, cafes, restaurants and any other facilities are welcomed.
It's also the place to discuss mobility aids from walking sticks to scooters. If this sounds like a group for you, you're most welcome ! Due to lockdown, there has been very little opportunity to access anywhere, but hopefully this will change in the not too distant future !
After a pretty tough time, the guys riding as part of The Nomadic Knights group, made it to Everest Base Camp. I hope we can use this story to gain interest from media sources to help raise awareness for us all. It's the least the guys deserve for all their efforts.
19 May 2017.
“Very pleased to report that we reached Mt Qomolangma (Everest) Base Camp with the ME Awareness Flag at 1528hrs on Thursday 18th May. Three and a half hours after we had planned but time in Tibet can sometimes be very fluid. The base camp is located at 5200m, walking to the final destination was challenging in itself due to low oxygen levels.
Conditions at base camp were extremely windy (good for flag flying) with intermittent clouds with no particular destination in mind and the sun was not ideal for photos."
The York ME Community
@YorkMEAwareness
One of the major questions raised is the blending of ME with CFS. This chart on the Hummingbirds site illustrates the many differences between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).
As has been stated by Dr Sarah Jarvis and others, it’s possible that the Coronavirus could trigger M.E. in those people who get through the worst of the virus, and are seen to be in the recovery phase.
Please do not think that once you’re in that phase that you should just get back to your normal routine. As someone who has just passed his 14th anniversary with ME, the most important thing you can do is rest.
Resting should be from both physical and mental / cognitive activities.
Do not push beyond what your body is telling you. Your head might tell you something different, and you’ll be keen to make up for lost time, but please take advantage of this lockdown to recover properly. If you push beyond your limited energies now, and M.E. follows, it could change your life for years to come.
Be sensible and rest up. Take care.
Time For Unrest: Why Patients With ME Are Demanding Justice.
If you want the full story on ME and will read just one article about it, please make it this one,
Those within the ME Community have always known how damaging being prescribed Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) can be to their future health. We have a broken energy production system and therefore normal rules do not apply. The PACE Trial tried to show that it helps, but has been debunked by scientists and researchers worldwide. The PACE Trial in fact is now held up as an example of how NOT to conduct such trials.
To understand better the truth of GET and The PACE Trial, click on the link below to watch two short videos.
Dr Byron Hyde has dedicated his medical career to looking into M.E.
In this interview Dr. Byron Hyde, founder of the Nightingale Research Foundation in Ottawa, Canada, emphasizes the brain and enteroviruses. He also emphasizes his belief that Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are separate issues.
To watch this interview on YouTube, click on the link below:
We are the ME/CFS Biomedical Partnership, a collaboration between researchers and people with ME/CFS, carers and the public.
The DecodeME DNA study aims to help us understand the disease and ultimately find treatments.
To read more, or get involved, click on the link below:
This is open to any organisation looking to have a bit of fun whilst supporting your local community. We're underway now for the current season but will be recruiting teams for our 6th season around July 2021. Although the aim is spreading ME Awareness, as a bonus we have also raised over £920.00 for Invest in ME Research, so why not join us ?
The York Inset Scooter Club is based in York (UK) and has a membership of around 250.
They are a thriving, active club and look to support local charities when they can. They have an annual Mods and Rockers charity ride out, and for 2019 supported The York ME Community.
They headed off from The York Eye (Clifford’s Tower) on Sun 28 Apr on a run out to the coast, set off by the Mayor of York and the York Normandy Veterans.
All money raised will be used to raise the profile of ME in York through posters being produced and put up in local business premises, clubs, schools, GP Surgeries and venues.
THE FOLLOWING EVENTS ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED, EXCEPT FOR THE ME AWARENESS HOUR, WHICH IS ON TWITTER. STAY SAFE, BE KIND.
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The first Monday of each month at 11 am - The York ME Community Coffee Club at Bar Convent, 17 Blossom Street, York. There is parking available just around the corner at Nunnery Lane Car Park. Blue Badge holders can park for free.
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The third Wednesday of each month - at 2 pm - The York ME Community Coffee Club at The Novotel, York. Parking is free at the hotel.
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Weekly - Every Wed, 8 pm - 9 pm on Twitter, ME Awareness Hour using the #MEAwarenesshour hashtag.
I had a very productive meeting with Cllr Aspden and Cllr Runciman of City of York Council where they have stated they will back efforts to raise awareness of ME, understanding that much more is needed to increase understanding of this debilitating disorder, in York and across the UK. I will be aiming to keep up the pressure to ensure future support.
The motion put before Council with regard to support in raising ME Awareness in York was passed unanimously !
The City of York Council has followed through on their promise by lighting up the city walls and Clifford's Tower in blue over the ME Awareness Weeks since that meeting.
We had a brilliant day at York Explore Library raising ME Awareness. Lots of interest in what we're doing from local health groups, charities, the council and most heart warmingly, from those dealing with ME themselves who now know we're here for them.
If you'd like to hear more about ME, get in touch.
