#EndMalnutritionInME – Severe ME day
August 8th marks an important day for the global ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) community as we come together to observe Severe ME Day.
This year, the focus is on #EndMalnutritionInME, shedding light on the often overlooked and challenging aspect of accessing appropriate dietary support for individuals battling severe ME.
Severe ME affects roughly 25% of people with ME. For those affected, seemingly simple tasks become insurmountable challenges, making daily life a constant struggle. One lesser-known but crucial issue that significantly impacts the lives of individuals with severe ME is malnutrition.
Malnutrition can occur in people with severe and very severe ME for a number of reasons. In people with very severe ME one of the major causes is sheer debility; the person is just too debilitated to eat and drink sufficiently. Other causes include difficulty swallowing and gastrointestinal problems.
The Battle Against Malnutrition:
#EndMalnutritionInME serves as a rallying cry to address the distressing reality faced by some individuals with severe ME – the difficulty of accessing appropriate dietary support including tube feeding. At its worst, this has led to the death of some individuals.
To aid in spreading awareness about severe ME and #EndMalnutritionInME, our Alliance has created eight eye-catching graphics, each focussing on a different aspect of life that severe ME limits. These graphics are available for free download and use, and we encourage individuals, organisations, and communities to share their message and raise awareness on social media platforms and other channels on August 8th.
