Kindling hypothesis

The Kindling hypothesis attempts to explain the hypersensitivities to pain, sensory input, and the immune system responses found in patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Kindling "occurs when an organism is exposed repeatedly to an initially sub-threshold stimulus resulting in hypersensitivity and spontaneous seizure-like activity."

See also

• Medical hypotheses (category)
• Leonard Jason
• Sensitivies
• Pain

Learn more

• An Etiological Model for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Full text)

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

etiology The cause of origin, especially of a disease.