MEDICAL MATTERS
- Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
- Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
- Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor’ series in ME Essential magazine.
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Questions in the Category: Muscle Cramps
Low sodium levels – Hyponatraemia
I’ve been feeling generally unwell and more fatigued – mentally and physically, for the past few months.
My GP ordered some routine blood tests – all of which were normal apart from having a slightly lower than normal level of sodium in the blood. My GP isn’t too concerned and is going to repeat the blood test. Could a low sodium level be caused by having ME?
Symptom: Mild heat stroke
Recently I went to the seaside for the day. It was very hot and I felt it was too much for me, so I went down to the sea to cool off – just paddling in the water (which was surprisingly cold – in fact, downright chilly). It was fine initially but then I started to feel off-balance and then ill, and had to get back to the car quickly (and I had to sit down on the way several times) and then lie down on the back seat of the car. What might have caused such a reaction?
Dr Charles Shepherd
Dr Shepherd has been Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association for more than 40 years. He is integral to the charity's activities and provides information and support based on his professional knowledge, personal experience as a doctor with ME/CFS, and the understanding gained from helping many thousands of people with the condition. He was a member of the comittee responsible for the 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline and is a recognised expert on ME/CFS in the UK. His knowledge extends to Post-Viral Fatigue Syndromes (PVFS), Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or Long Covid.
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Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor‘ series featured in the highly-regarded member’s magazine, ME Essential, and in the healthcare professional magazine, ME Medical. Both are produced by the ME Association and published as hard-copy magazines every 3 months and sent to members and healthcare professionals by post to home or business addresses.
If you are a Health Care Professional you can sign-up to receive ME Medical magazine (people with ME/CFS can also nominate their HCP by completing the sign-up form).