30 Apr Could You Be Suffering From Fibromyalgia?
Treating Fibromyalgia Naturally
Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness characterised by a combination of chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness, accompanied by varying degrees of other symptoms, including fatigue, sleep disturbance, musculoskeletal pain and stiffness, cognitive dysfunction and high levels of distress. There are often associated conditions such as headache, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression. It is more prevalent in women, ages 20-50 years.
What is the cause of Fibromyalgia?
Biochemical, metabolic and cellular changes have been demonstrated in multiple systems, including:
- Mitochondria dysfunction with ATP synthesis and use
- Central Nervous system (CNS) changes affecting cerebral blood flow
- Neurotransmitter synthesis and function
- Increased Pain perception
- HPA axis function is affected, resulting in a hypo responsiveness of the adrenals and circadian rhythm abnormalities
How do you treat Fibromyalgia?
In Fibromyalgia, pain is the primary symptom, with the most common concomitants being fatigue, mood disorders and other neural symptoms. There are many natural supplements that have been used to reduce the symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia. Some of these nutrients include; magnesium, vitamin D, B vitamins, CoQ10, D-Ribose, GABA, glutathione, N-acetyl cysteine, fish oil, and probiotics.
It is important to speak to a naturopath or healthcare practitioner to find out if these nutrients are suitable for you. At NatMed we focus on treating the underlying cause of your symptoms. The core component to address in treatment is the effect of chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress.
Chronic inflammation is a sign of a hyper-responsive immune system. In order to modulate and stabilise the immune response, it is critical to avoid inflammatory foods and food allergens, repair the gut, optimise vitamin D3 levels, and improve neurological connections. Most individuals with chronic inflammatory based pain have a leaky gut that allows large food particles to pass thru easily and end up in the bloodstream. These undigested food particles are tagged as foreign invaders by the immune system. The immune cells then create a massive inflammatory reaction to destroy the food particle. This results in varying levels of insensitivity and allergenic reactions that damage many systems of the body.
The following tests for chronic inflammation and fibromyalgia can be done at our NatMed clinic:
- IgG ELISA food allergy test
- Organics Acid Test
- Urinary Indicans Test
- Live Blood Analysis
- Esteck Body Scan
At NatMed we have various analyses and tests to check for causes of fibromyalgia. These tests show us biochemical, metabolic, and cellular causes that may be contributing towards your symptoms of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and other concomitant symptoms. If fibromyalgia is affecting you, book an appointment today with one of NatMed’s specialised naturopaths and begin the journey to a life without pain and dis-ease.
(* the electro-dermal interstitial body scan is available at NatMed. Ask your naturopath for more information.)
