Episode 52: The Overlap of Chronic Illnesses - ME-CFS, MCAS, and EDS
What have you heard about the connection between having chronic fatigue, your immune system, and inflammation? In this episode of the YMyHealth podcast, Co-Host Julie Woon and Dr. Sujana Reddy delve into the complexities of chronic conditions such as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME-CFS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Dr. Reddy shares her personal journey with these conditions and discusses the interconnectedness of various chronic illnesses, the challenges of diagnosis, and the importance of patient advocacy. The conversation also highlights the impact of COVID-19 and Long COVID on awareness and research in the field of chronic illness, providing hope for future advancements in treatment and understanding.
Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction to Chronic Conditions and Advocacy
(07:01) Understanding ME-CFS: More Than Just Fatigue
(14:26) Exploring Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
(21:42) The Interconnectedness of EDS, POTS, and Other Conditions
(31:35) Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches
(36:54) The Impact of COVID-19 on Chronic Illness Awareness
(40:04) Advice for Newly Diagnosed Patients
Links:
Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/
Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com for sponsorship opportunities.
Learn more about this episode's guest, Dr. Sujana Reddy, DO, of The EDS Clinic here: https://www.eds.clinic/team/dr-sujana-reddy-do
Dr. Reddy's Recommendations for Awesome Sources of Information on MCAS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME-CFS), and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome:
Crunch ME (a patient-led organisation powering data-informed advocacy for infection-associated chronic conditions (IACCs) - including ME/CFS, Long Covid, and POTS)
Have a question about one of our podcast episodes? Email us at ymyhealthpodcast@gmail.com. We will be answering your podcast episode questions in our upcoming Q&A episode this summer.
Thanks again to our sponsor, Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com