Encephalomyelitis

/ɛnˌsɛfələmaɪəˈlaɪtɪs/ noun

Definition

Inflammation of both the brain and spinal cord, often caused by viral infection or autoimmune disease.

Etymology

From Greek enkephalos (brain) + myelos (marrow of spinal cord) + -itis (inflammation). This medical condition combines symptoms from inflammation in two critical nervous system regions.

Kelly Says

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) was historically called 'yuppie flu,' but research shows it's a serious multi-system disease affecting millions—the name keeps changing because scientists still don't fully understand its cause.

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