What is Post Exertional Malaise?

People who deal with chronic ailments like Long Covid or ME/CFS will often endure flareups of certain symptoms. Post-exertional malaise is characterized by any level of exertion or activity triggering fatigue and/or malaise (that were previously tolerated).

Other symptoms:

• cognitive impairment
• flu-like symptoms
• pain
• weakness
• trouble sleeping
• worsening of existing symptoms

Symptoms usually appear 12-48 hours after the triggering activity. They can also be immediate or delayed up to 7 days.

Triggers:

PEM is triggered by “minimal” physical or mental activities that were previously tolerated, and that healthy people tolerate, like attending a social event, grocery shopping, or even taking a shower. Sensory overload, emotional distress, injury, sleep deprivation, infections, and spending too long standing or sitting up are other potential triggers. The resulting symptoms are disproportionate to the triggering activity and are often debilitating, potentially rendering someone housebound or bedbound until they recover.