Autorentext

Patrick Ussher is a writer, composer, and health communicator who has lived with ME/CFS for seven years. He runs the YouTube channel 'Understanding ME/CFS', where he explores the science of ME/CFS and Long Covid in accessible language and shares personal insights into treatment strategies he has tried. He is the author of the medical hypothesis 'The Myth of Primary Polydipsia', which argues against the concept of 'psychogenic water drinking' and suggests a biomedical basis for thirst in ME/CFS and related illnesses.Patrick regularly gives talks to patient organizations such as The Irish ME Trust and has contributed essays to the ME/CFS blog Health Rising on a range of topics.Outside of health advocacy, Patrick is the author of 'Stoicism and Western Buddhism: A Reflection on Two Philosophical Ways of Life', and the editor of the books 'Stoicism Today: Selected Writings' (Volumes One and Two). In 2018, he worked with Columba Press to republish his late mother's book on coping with breast cancer, 'Following the Pink Ribbon Path'.He holds a BA and MA in Classics from the University of Exeter and is also a composer of contemporary classical music, with tracks available on Spotify and the Artlist catalogue. Originally from Ireland, Patrick has lived in both Ireland and France during his illness.

Klappentext

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) might - at last - have been explained and demystified. Recent research has mapped out the central, interlinking mechanisms which can create an illness of exercise intolerance and post-exertional malaise. Those mechanisms include low blood volume, vascular and cardiac autoimmunity, dysfunctions in the cells and mitochondria, microclots and, in general, a reduction in blood perfusion throughout the body. In particular, research from Germany has mapped out a convincing model for how all of these dysfunctions inter-relate and how they are likely part of one big vicious cycle. For the first time, this provides a 'unifying model' of what ME/CFS probably is. Aimed at a patient audience, this book offers accessible explanations of this crucial, breakthrough research by Prof. Klaus Wirth and Prof. Carmen Scheibenbogen. This book also focusses on healing strategies and solutions. This includes discussion of various conventional medical procedures and treatments as well as of: - the Buteyko method (to improve bodily oxygenation) - ancestral approaches to nutrition and diet (to improve gut health and energy production) - the Perrin technique - treatments for microclots - the potential strengths - and limitations - of neuroplasticity interventions. Possible future medications are also discussed, including the 'Mitodicure' pill. Based on the research of Wirth, this pill could become the world's first ME/CFS-specific medication and one which could be capable of profoundly reducing the suffering of millions worldwide. It could even be a medicine which leads to recovery. Patrick Ussher, an ME/CFS patient, weaves together the personal and theoretical in this book, unravelling the most exciting research 'in plain English' but also talking about his own personal experience with various treatments to improve quality of life. He also shares advice on how to construct a life of hope and meaning, despite having a chronic illness. This is primarily intended to be a guide and handbook for ME/CFS and Long Covid patients (although it will also likely be of interest to patients with the closely related Fibromyalgia and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)). It will help many sufferers understand the true physical nature of their illness and provide them with a range of healing strategies. But most importantly, this is a book which inspires hope for a future in which ME/CFS patients are at last treated with the dignity they deserve and in ways which truly do diminish their suffering. The book has a foreword written by Prof. Klaus Wirth in which he describes his encounter with ME/CFS, subsequent research and initial work on developing the 'Mitodicure' drug.