Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Chronic Fatigue

Chronic Fatigue is a vague, undefined, and undiagnosed health concern with the primary symptom of extreme fatigue lasting more than 6 months. No amount of sleep, coffee, or other stimulants help alleviate the fatigue. Typically there are no other overt symptoms.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue SYNDROME is a medically diagnosed condition. One of the symptoms is Chronic Fatigue (CF). Other symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) include an increase in the fatigue after exercise, moderate headaches, sore throat, brain fog and concentration issues. Unlike CF, there are known neurological issues which show up on lab work that confirm a diagnosis of CFS, but many doctors still dismiss CFS as being a fake illness.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia has symptoms of CFS but with widespread pain and tender points in specific areas of the body. It too can be confirmed by the presence of neurological biomarkers on labs.There is also a increased sensitivity to touch and pain.
Other symptoms of Fibro include:

• Stiffness and achiness in the morning. This may improve throughout the day
  
• Sleep issues
  
• Headaches including migraines
  
• Tingling, numbness, burning or prickly sensations in the extremities
  
• Painful menstrual periods in women
  
• Digestive issues such as Irritable Bowl Syndrome, constipation, diarrhea
  
• Depression or anxiety
  
• Bladder control issues
  
• Tight facial/jaw muscles resulting in Tempo-mandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) which restricts jaw movement, causes clicking or popping in the jaw and can cause misalignment of the upper and lower jaw
  
• Exercise intolerance
  
• Heart Palpitations

All three of these conditions can have the same underlying causes. Among them:

• Leaky Gut typically caused by poor diet, fast food, alcohol, prescription drugs, etc.
  
• Mold exposure - Even if your exposure was years ago, mold hides out in your body unless you have taken steps to eradicate it
  
• Heavy Metal exposure (working in a chemical plant, or other factory environments that work with or produce metal)
  
• Food Sensitivities - low level sensitivity causes autoimmune and low level allergic responses
  
• Stress
  
• Inflammation - whether from chronic injury or food sensitivity, inflammation moves throughout the body and causes muscle and joint pain

Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia - Who is more likely to develop symptoms?

• Women are almost twice as likely to develop these issues, especially between the ages of 20 and 55. Some say it is because women have more anxiety and stress with inadequate coping strategies, in addition to monthly hormonal changes.
• Some studies have shown that the prevalence is close to the same in adolescents as adults
• Those with depression or anxiety. Both can contribute to CF, CFS, or Fibro but can also be a result.
• They can also run in families, so if your mother had one of these you are more likely to experience them as well, especially if you are a woman. The genes responsible are unknown at this time.

What can you do to heal yourself?

• Labs - Gut Health, Mold and parasite exposure, stress, sex hormones, and in-depth blood work. These functional labs can uncover signs that standard labs won't find. Even standard blood work when analyzed by most doctors may not show you underlying causes. See my article Rethinking Normal Lab Ranges for more information on lab ranges.
  
• Try to get 8 hours of good uninterrupted sleep
  
• Get morning sunlight, and be outdoors as much as possible, preferably in the country or woods
  
• Pay attention to what you are eating. Too much sugar intake, fast food and highly processed foods fuel diabetes and inflammation
  
• Avoid wheat - it can also cause inflammation and trigger autoimmune issues which can in turn, cause or exacerbate Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or Fibromyalgia
  
• De-Stress - Learn to unwind. Read a book, do something you enjoy that isn't stressful
  
• Exercise as much as you can tolerate without making symptoms worse
  

If you need help uncovering the root causes of your Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, of Fibromyalgia, book a call