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Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that is composed of many different symptoms.
The primary symptom is pain and tenderness in multiple areas of
the body. This is often linked to fatigue, sleep disorders, digestive
problems, and depression. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
are considered to be overlapping disorders which many consider to
actually be the same illness. Dr.Khan has developed an aromatherapy
formula called Fibromyalgesic and an herbal formula called FibroTea
for these conditions.
Many people consider these conditions to be psychosomatic in origin
because people suffering from these conditions can look healthy
and normal from the outside, and yet complain of so many different
symptoms. These symptoms can include mental symptoms such as brain
fog, forgetfulness, spaciness, depression, moodswings, anger, and
extremes in behavior. Unfortunately, as a result many people with
this disease are viewed with skepticism by medical practitioners
and lay people alike and are often branded as hypochondriacs.
Another view of CFS and fibromyalgia is that the conditions are
auto-immune diseases which are triggered by an infection. Most doctors
take the view that Epstein-Barr virus, which is the virus that causes
mononucleosis, is the primary culprit. This is rather doubtful,
in my opinion, since most of the population is exposed to this virus
early on in life without this virus triggering any serious long-term
complications.
Then there is a new theory emerging among doctors who have used
long-term antibiotic therapy to treat these conditions that fibromyalgia
and CFS are not simply auto-immune diseases that are triggered by
infections, but that the symptoms are signs of a chronic ongoing
infectious disease process in the body. These doctors claim to have
had excellent results in the treatment of these syndromes using
long-term antibiotics, often in very high dosages. They have also
had very good results with treating other so called “auto-immune
diseases” with long term antibiotic therapy. Often, patients suffering
from fibromyalgia, CFS, and other diseases such as irritable bowel
syndrome, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis experience
complete remissions after a long course of antibiotics.
The positive results that these patients are experiencing implies
that many auto-immune diseases may actually be chronic undiagnosed
bacterial infections. There are a number of pathogens that are not
easily detected in the body through standard diagnostic procedures
and that are not easily killed off through a short course of treatment.
These pathogens may be involved in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
syndrome. There is a new theory that chronic fatigue syndrome and
fibromyalgia may be related to chronic mycobacterial infections.
It is also possible that many of these people actually suffer from
Lyme Disease which has never been diagnosed due to the lack of proper
testing. Lyme Disease is the fastest growing infectious disease
in this country next to AIDS. Cases have been found in all of the
lower forty-eight states. Lyme Disease is cause by a spirochetal
bacteria called borellia burgdorferi. Borellia burgdorferi is a
very resilient and adaptable organism. Doctors with clinical experience
in the treatment of this disease have noted that certain antibiotics
work for certain forms that the bacteria can take, but not for others.
The spirochete can take a cyst form where most antibiotics cannot
reach it. It also hides in the joints of the body, in areas of poor
circulation, and it may hide within the cells of the immune system.
The Center for Disease Control estimates that only one in ten Lyme
Disease patients are ever properly diagnosed. The CDC also estimates
that it takes an average of thirteen doctors and an average of two
years for these people to be properly diagnosed. By the time the
diagnosis is made, the disease can be quite entrenched in the body.
There are also often many co-infections in Lyme Disease patients
that may cause a host of other complications. Nevertheless, since
the disease and its associated co-infections are caused by bacterial
organisms, and these organisms can be killed, there is hope for
recovery.
Lyme Disease can cause all of the many symptoms that people with
fibromyalgia and CFS suffer from. It can cause achy muscles and
joints, depression, fatigue, migraine headaches, tingling nerve
sensations, insomnia, sleepiness, digestive problems, poor circulation,
blurry vision, hearing irregularities, mental problems, weak limbs,
pain in the rib cage, liver enzyme irregularities, hypothyroidism,
an increased tendency for red blood cells to clump together, swollen
lymph nodes, and much more. The irregularities in liver function
may be responsible for the chemical sensitivities that many people
with fibromyalgia and CFS experience. Because the organism that
causes the disease is often not in the bloodstream, it is difficult
to diagnose the disease through testing. Doctors who are familiar
with the disease tend to base their diagnosis mainly on the clinical
symptoms the patient presents and the risk factors that the patient
has had exposure to, using testing as only a secondary measure for
making a diagnosis.
According to the doctors who use it, long-term antibiotic therapy
may help people who suffer from fibromyalgia, CFS, Lyme Disease,
and many other “auto-immune diseases”. Nevertheless, there can be
serious side effects from this type of therapy. Antibiotics used
a long period of time can cause kidney and liver damage. They can
cause gallbladder problems. Many people also cannot tolerate oral
antibiotics well because of the strain on their digestive system.
There are many alternative health options that can complement treatment
with antibiotics and which may reduce side effects, and there are
many natural remedies that have antibiotic and immune-enhancing
properties of their own.
Acupuncture may help to improve blood circulation and oxygenation
to various areas of the body, enhancing the immune system’s ability
to fight off infections. The increase in oxygenation can also create
an inhospitable situation for bacteria that prefer a low oxygen
environment. It also can stimulate the body to release natural pain
relieving opiates into the body. The improvement in blood circulation
may also help to increase body temperature in hands and feet and
other areas of the body that tend to get cold easily. These are
often areas of the body where bacteria, such as borellia burgdorferi,
which prefer a low body temperature, may tend to congregate. Acupuncture
can be used in conjunction with antibiotic therapy. It may help
to improve the efficacy of antibiotic therapy by improving circulation.
According to Chinese research, there are many Chinese herbs that
have immune enhancing and antibacterial properties. There are also
many Chinese herbs that can help the various symptomatic aspects
of fibromyalgia and CFS. Some herbs such as astragalus and schizandra
can improve the body’s ability to handle stress and can boost immunity.
Other herbs such as coptis and scutellaria have anti-bacterial and
anti-inflammatory properties.
Zyzyphus seed may help with sleep problems and anxiety. Bupleurum
root may help relieve the moodswings and emotional aspects of fibromyalgia.
The various types of ginseng can help to improve one’s energy level.
Pseudoginseng, frankincense, and myrrh can help stimulate blood
circulation and may help with symptoms of muscle weakness due to
poor circulation. Walnuts, gingko biloba, frankincense, gotu kola,
and fo-ti may all help with the brain fog and cognitive difficulties
that many people with fibromyalgia and CFS experience. Codonopsis,
atractylodes, mint, and citrus peel may all help with digestive
problems. Chinese herbs are used together in herbal formulas that
are individualized to address the pattern of disharmony that the
person presents. They are generally not used separately on a symptom
by symptom basis.
For Lyme Disease, a few different Chinese herbs stand out for their
potential usefulness. Smilax (tu fu ling), coptis (huang lian),
garlic (da suan), houttuynia (yu xing cao), and teasel root (xu
duan) are all herbs that appear to help to treat Lyme disease in
different ways. Some of them have antibacterial properties, some
strengthen the body generally, and some improve circulation. Chinese
herbal formulas such as Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang,
and Xiao Fu Zhu Yu Tang can be helpful. Formulas designed to clear
heat, move qi and blood, tonify yang qi, and transform dampness
can all be helpful for different patients depending on the pattern
of disharmony they present. After a long period of illness or for
patients with emaciation and insomnia it may be necessary to nourish
yin as well. People with a babesial co-infection, an infection with
symptoms similar to malaria, generally need heat to be cleared from
the shaoyang channel and need nourishing of yin. Artemisia can be
a useful herb for babesia. It has been shown to have anti-malarial
properties in China and Vietnam. For people with Lyme Disease who
have nerve problems, it may also be necessary to clear liver wind.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy has been used to treat people with Lyme
Disease. Many have experienced good results and there is ongoing
scientific research at the moment concerning its efficacy. The bacteria
that causes Lyme Disease prefers an oxygen deprived environment.
Its presence in the body appears to increase coagulation of blood
and decrease circulation. It may thereby create the oxygen deprived
environment that it prefers. This is great for the bacteria but
can be the source of much of the difficulty that a person with this
disease experiences. Many of the symptoms that people with Lyme
disease, CFS, or fibromyalgia complain of are similar to symptoms
that people experience from altitude sickness, which is caused by
oxygen deprivation at high altitudes. The fatigue, the mental difficulties,
the sleepiness, the feeling of having a ton of bricks attached to
one’s limbs are all similar to symptoms that people with altitude
sickness experience. It makes sense to me that creating an oxygen-rich
environment could potentially be very helpful. It is important for
testing for co-infections before beginning this process, because
there are other bacteria that could be present that prefer a high
oxygen environment, complicating the picture. There are potential
side effects as well such as nearsightedness.
Colloidal silver is supplement that may have broad-spectrum antibiotic
properties. Its proponents claim that it can aid all sorts of conditions
from asthma to rheumatoid arthritis. It did appear to help my fatigue
quite a bit at the early stages of my Lyme disease. There is the
possibility that excessive use can cause a condition called argyria,
which is a permanent bluish discoloration of the skin, although
many people have huge quantities of colloidal silver with no problems
at all. I is also helpful to take an acidophilus supplement while
using this supplement in order to replace the good bacteria in your
intestines and prevent problems with candida. Large amounts may
be required to have an impact on Lyme Disease. It is possible to
buy a colloidal silver generator and make your own colloidal silver
at home. This is much cheaper than buying it on a regular basis
at the health food store, but care must be taken to make it properly.
Aromatherapy is one of the most promising holistic therapies for
conditions such as fibromyalgia, CFS, and Lyme Disease, in my opinion.
The essential oils are concentrated versions of the volatile components
found in herbs. It can take many pounds of plant matter to make
an ounce of essential oil. For the most precious oil, made from
the Bulgarian rose, it can take a ton of rose petals to make a pound
of oil. Most of the oils have antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Many of them stimulate the immune system and trigger increased production
of white blood cells. The oils also improve oxygenation of the body’s
tissues and promote detoxification. They may have a chelating effect,
which means that they may assist in carrying toxins such as heavy
metals out of the body. Some oils such as lavender can be sedative
and aid with sleep and reduce anxiety. Oil of oregano, which is
a popular supplement found in health food stores is essential oil
of oregano diluted in vegetable oil. It is almost always necessary
to dilute the oils before using them because they are so concentrated.
Interestingly, many people with CFS, Lyme Disease, and fibromyalgia
are likely to find that some of their symptoms worsen when inhaling
the fragrance of the oils. This is often a detoxification reaction.
People with Lyme Disease generally seem to derive greatest benefits
from stronger dilutions of essential oil than most aromatherapists
typically use. It is important to use care when the oils are utilized
in this manner. The oils are processed by the liver and kidneys
and may cause liver and kidney problems in extremely high amounts.
One should reduce the amount used if there is nausea or discontinue
use if there is any allergic reaction. People with these diseases
may discover that much of their fatigue, muscle weakness, mental
fogginess, and pain can be significantly reduced with regular application
of the oils. The oils can be used diluted in vegetable oil for massage
of affected areas of the body, and they can be used by the drop
in one’s bath water. They can also be absorbed into the bloodstream
via the lungs simply by inhaling their fragrance. The oils also
penetrate the blood-brain barrier and may be helpful for neurological
issues due to infections or other reasons. Some of the oils can
trigger seizures in people prone to them. Some other oils, such
as jasmine and ylang-ylang may help people to control seizures.
Oil of oregano taken internally as directed can also be helpful
in the treatment of Lyme Disease.
Massage can improve oxygenation of body tissues and improve blood
circulation as well as reduce pain. If a person has fibromyalgia
or CFS due to an infectious disease process, or a person has Lyme
Disease, massage should only be used in combination with a therapy
that is antibacterial in nature. Otherwise, it is likely to stir
up dormant bacteria and stir up symptoms instead of providing symptom
relief. When massage is used in combination with a therapy that
is antibiotic in nature, it may improve the efficacy of that therapy
by bringing bacteria out of hiding in order to be killed. Deep tissue
massage may improve the efficacy of treatment with antibiotics,
with herbs, with aromatherapy, or with heat. Used on its own, though,
it may stir up latent problems in people with these conditions.
Heat can be helpful for treating Lyme Disease because the bacteria
appears to prefer a low body temperature and is vulnerable to high
heat. There are many different sources of heat that can be used
to treat this condition. Heat can also be helpful for people with
fibromyalgia and CFS who may actually have undiagnosed cases of
Lyme Disease. People usually feel a worsening of symptoms before
they feel an improvement with the use of heat. My personal theory
is that this is because the heat stirs up the bacteria before it
kills it off or triggers the immune system to kill the bacteria
off. This is speculative on my part. The use of saunas can be very
useful. A far infrared heat lamp can be used on problem areas. Hot
baths taken for forty minutes at 102-104 degrees Fahrenheit have
been shown to enhance immune system response in people with infectious
diseases and auto-immune disorders in a research study done at Bastyr
University. A Chinese therapy called moxibustion can also be useful
in warming problem areas. I do not recommend the use of cold packs
or ice for pain in people with Lyme Disease, fibromyalgia, or CFS
as these therapies reduce circulation to areas where circulation
is likely to already be compromised. Also, the bacteria that causes
Lyme Disease appears to prefer a cool environment, so cold therapy
may cause real problems in people with this condition.
In spite of the fatigue that people with fibromyalgia, CFS, and
Lyme Disease may feel, a certain amount of exercise can be very
beneficial if they are up to the challenge. It is important not
to overexert oneself, but a brisk walk or other exercise that gets
one’s heart pumping can be helpful. Again, exercise can be helpful
because it can improve circulation in the body, and improve oxygenation
of the body’s tissues. Exercises such as stretching and yoga that
help to improve flexibility and loosen muscles can also be helpful.
Hot yoga, where yoga is done in a room where the heat is cranked
up can be particularly helpful because it combines exercise with
heat therapy. It is important not to push too hard when doing exercise.
The point is to improve your health, and not to wipe yourself out
more.
Magnesium appears to be a useful supplement for people with these
conditions. Many people report an improvement in their muscle pain
when taking a magnesium supplement on a regular basis. It is important
to reduce intake of sugar, dairy products and bread while increasing
intake of green vegetables. Spirulina can be a useful addition to
your health regimen as it is both nourishing and detoxifying. It
may also be helpful to reduce consumption of tomatoes as they seem
to encourage acidity in the body. Flax seed oil has an anti-inflammatory
effect that can be very helpful. Alpha-lipoic acid is a helpful
anti-oxidant. It may help nerve function and improve liver function.
As you can see, fibromyalgia, CFS, and Lyme Disease are complex
ailments, but there are many promising therapies that people with
these conditions are likely to find helpful.
Farah Khan is a New York licensed acupuncturist. She developed her
interest in the links between Lyme Disease, Fibromyalgia, and CFS,
after struggling to recover from Lyme Disease, as doctors told her
she had Fibromyalgia. You can find more information and products
related to these conditions on her site at http://www.yinessence.com
You can reach her at farah@yinessence.com.
Article Source: Articledashboard.com:
The Truth About Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Lyme Disease
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