FIBROMYALGIA AND CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

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Chronic  Fatigue  Syndrome  was  first  dubbed  the  Yuppie  flu  in  the  1980's,  because  it  seemed  to  be  concentrated  in  young, affluent  white  professionals  and  the  subjective  nature  of  the  symptoms.  Now  chronic  fatigue  and  immune  dysfunction  syndrome,  afflicts  an  estimated  three  to  four  million  people  in  North  America  alone.  Can  I  just  observe   that  this  is  the  starting  time  of  the  age  of  the  computer.  Chronic  Fatigue  syndrome   and   Fibromyalgia  both  occur  with  a  cluster  of  symptoms  that  include  deep  fatigue  unrelieved  by  sleep,  muscle  and   joint  pain  or  weakness,  headache,  memory  loss,  mental   confusion  and   poor  concentration,  digestive   problems,  recurring   infections,  low   grade  fever,  often   in  the  afternoon,  swollen   lymph   glands,   food   and  environmental  allergies  and  sensitivities,  severe  exhaustion  from  minor  activity   and  - depression. -  ( I wonder why )  I  wrote  sarcastically.  How  could  you  not  be  depressed   with  all  that  going  on.   Also  other  symptoms  include  dizziness,  anxiety  attacks,  night  sweats,  rashes,  breathing  irregularities,  irregular  heartbeat,  and  hypersensitivity  to  heat   and  cold  and  to  light  and  sound.

There  is  no  single  cause  of  chronic  fatigue  syndrome   or  Fibromyalgia.  Multiple  factors  combine  to  overwhelm  the  immune  system.  They  may  be  virus  and  low  grade  infections,  candidiasis,  underactive  thyroid  gland,  stress  and  adrenal  exhaustion,  toxic  overload,  nutritional  deficiencies,  allergies  and  the  extensive  use  of  antibiotics,  hydrocortisone  and / or  vaccinations.   Also  chronic  exposure   to   environmental   pollutants   and   food   allergies..

PESTICIDE  EXPOSURE

According   to   the   cdc   the   symptoms   of   pesticide   exposure   look   very   much   like   the   symptoms   of   Chronic   Fatigue   and   even  more  so,   Fibromyalgia.   Clinical  signs  and  symptoms  of  malathion  intoxication  are  typical  of  organophosphate  poisoning.  Malathion  and  its  metabolite, malaoxon,  inhibit  the  enzyme  acetylcholinesterase  and  thus,  prevent  the  hydrolysis  of  the  neurotransmitter acetylcholine  in  the central  and  peripheral  nervous  systems.  Continuous presence of acetylcholine at parasympathetic autonomic  muscarinic  receptors  results  in  ocular  effects (miosis, blurred vision),  gastrointestinal  effects  (nausea,  vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea),  respiratory  effects  (excessive  bronchial  secretions,  chest  tightness,  bronchoconstriction),  cardiovascular effects (bradycardia,  decreased  blood  pressure),  effects  on  exocrine   glands  (increased  salivation,  lacrimation),  and  effects   on   the  bladder  (incontinence).  At   the  level  of  parasympathetic   and   sympathetic   autonomic   nicotinic   receptors,  acetylcholine   will  induce  tachycardia   and   increase   blood   pressure.  At   the  neuromuscular   junction,   excess   acetylcholine   will   induce   muscle  fasciculations,  cramps,  diminished   tendon   reflexes,    muscle   weakness   in   peripheral   and   respiratory   muscles,  ataxia,  and   paralysis.  Finally,  overstimulation   of   brain   cholinergic   receptors   will   lead   to  drowsiness,  lethargy,  fatigue,  headache,  generalized   weakness,  dyspnea,  convulsions, and  cyanosis.  The  signs   and  symptoms  described  above  have  been  documented  in  almost  all  of  the  cases  of  accidental  or  intentional  ingestion of  high  amounts  of  malathion  and  in  cases  of  dermal  intoxication. Lethal doses can be estimated from case reports to have been between 350 and 2,000 mg/kg. These dose levels usually inhibited plasma and RBC cholinesterase activities to levels ranging from undetectable to 10–30% of normal. Studies of workers exposed to a combination of pesticides, including malathion, have shown decreases between 10 and 50% in both plasma and RBC cholinesterase activities. In general, plasma cholinesterase activity can be inhibited by 20–25% without significant physiological consequences. Studies also have shown that the rate of decrease of RBC cholinesterase correlates better with appearance of symptoms than the absolute value reached after exposure. It was found that plasma cholinesterase activity in workers who exhibited cholinergic symptoms and signs was 17% lower than in workers without symptoms and signs. Similar findings were reported in another study (Ernest et al. 1995). No cholinergic signs were seen in a study in which the activities of RBC and plasma cholinesterase varied   less than 10% between pre- and postexposure. A study in volunteers exposed to 85 mg/m3  of a malathion aerosol for 2 hours/day over a 42-day period observed no clinical signs and no significant inhibition of plasma or RBC cholinesterase activity over the study period. In an additional study of volunteers orally administered 0.34 mg malathion/kg/day for 56 days, there was a maximum depression of 25% in plasma cholinesterase approximately 3 weeks after cessation of treatment. A similar depression in RBC cholinesterase was observed, but occurred later. Administration of 0.11 mg malathion/kg/day for 32 days or 0.23 mg/kg/day for 47 days did not produce any significant depression of plasma or RBC cholinesterase activity. No clinical signs were seen in the volunteers. As detailed in Section 3.2, numerous studies in animals exposed to malathion by any route have shown inhibition of plasma, RBC, and brain cholinesterase activities.   

Here   at   Sunnyslope   Healing   Arts   we   have   seen   substantial   improvement   in   all   the   symptoms   of   Fibromyalgia  and   Chronic   Fatigue   syndrome  in  our   patients   who   have  had   treatments   to   clear   pesticides   from  their   bodies,  sometimes   just   as   stunning   as   the   results   for   our   patients   with   Endometriosis.   If  you   have   Fibromyalia   or   Chronic  Fatiue  syndrome   it  is   highly   recommended   that   you   get   checked   for  pesticides   to   see   if   they   are   a   mitigating   factor   in   your   illness.

    One  place  to start  approaching  healing  your  body  is  where  Traditional  Chinese  Medicine   and   Acupuncture  theories  meet  with   some  recent   western   medical   theories.  

   In  Traditional  Chinese  Medicine  we  always  check  for  and   treat  stagnant  chi  and   stagnant   blood  for  they   are  considered   one  of  or  part  of    the  cause  of  many  ailments.  In  some  medical   theories  hidden  viruses  are  causing  a  hypercoaguable  state  in  the  body. They  call   it   thick  blood   where   the  blood  is  super  clotted,  thick,  and  sticky.  This  also  describes  stagnant  blood.  This   occurs   in  thirty   percent  of  the  population  where  they  are  given  the  genes  to  have  blood  that  is  too  thick.  It   worked   great  for  our  ancestors  to  protect  them  from  bleeding  to  death  on  the  battlefield.  Today  there  are  foods  that  can  cause  stagnant  blood  too.  But  viruses  can  hide  in  the  thick  blood,  which  acts  kind  of  like  a  wall,  sort  of  like  the  king  being  protected  in  his  castle.  The  immune  system  which  is  usually  protective ,  can't  get  rid  of  these  viruses  because  they  are  buried  in  this  thick  blood,  so  they   continue   to  cause   problems  in  the  patient.

     In Traditional  Chinese  Medicine  (TCM)  stagnant  blood  of  the  heart  manifests  as  palpitations,  cardiac  retardation  and  pain,  prickly  pain  in  mild  cases  and  colicky  pain  in  severe  cases  that  refers  to  the  shoulder  and  back,  mental  depression,  dullness,  muttering  to  oneself,  mental restlessness   and  blurred  mind.  

   In  TCM  stagnation  of  the  liver  and  liver energy  channel  manifests  as  lower  abdominal  pain,   dizziness,  blurring  of  vision,  dryness  of  eyes,  spasm  of  tendons  and  muscles,  numbness  of  limbs..

   In  TCM  stagnation  and  weakness  of  the  qi  of  the  kidney  manifests  as  soreness and  weakness in  the  lumbar  region  and  knee  joints,  frequent  urination,  shortness of  breath,   achy  muscles,  dizziness,  blurring  of  vision,  tinnitus,  poor  memory,   and  night  sweating.  

    The  good  news  is  that  Traditional  Chinese  Medicine,  Acupuncture  and  Needle  Free  Acupuncture  treat  this  condition  very  effectively.   All   the  while  creating  a  energy  field  that  causes  the  body  to  get  alkaline  which  acts  like  a  natural  antibiotic  and  a  good   systemic   treatment  for  infections  of  all  kinds.   This  stagnant,  dark   or  thick  blood   is  also  starting  to  be  implicated  in  all   the  chronic  diseases  of  aging.

   So   many   menopausal   women   are   contracting   fibromyalgia.   Fibromyalgia   is   an   inflammatory    state.   Women   with   fibromyalgia  have  more   pain   in   the   premenstrual   and   menstrual   phase   of   their   cycle.   Pain   is   worse   with   menopause.   Seems   like  a  hormone   connection   to  a  lot  of  researchers   and   MDs.   Female   reproductive   hormones   all   need   to  be   checked    and    balanced.   Thyroid   is   often   the   missing   link   but  chemicals   of   all   kinds    get   involved   and   deficiencies   in   minerals   happen   and   then   the   patient   has   hormone   resistance   where   they  can't    produce,   utilize ,     synthesis,    absorb    and   process   the  hormones  they   need.   A    careful    physical   evaluation   is   necessary   to  determine   what   is   happening   in   the   patients   body.   Here   at   Sunnyslope  Healing  Arts   we   see   overall   rapid   improvements   in   our   patient   as   each   contributing    issue   is   addressed   with   our   integrated   holistic    therapies. 

   Other   hormone    imbalances   common   in   CSF   and    Fibromyalgia    are   imbalances   or   deficiencies   in    the   adrenal   hormones.   DHEA,,   cortisol   and   adrenocorticotropic    hormone,   secreted   by    the   pituatary    gland. 

Since    adrenal    glands   play   a   central   role   in   maintaining    the   body's  energy   levels,  when    these    glands   are   functioning   poorly   the   result   is  fatigue.   Low    amounts  of   melatonin,   the   pineal    gland   hormone    that  regulates   the   body's   sleep    cycle,  may    also   be   contributing   to   the  overall    symptom   picture   of   CSF.    For   adrenal    insufficiency,  a   correction   of    this   disorder    will    often    occur    as   a   result    of   a   holistic    treatment    to   raise    the    body's   own    melatonin    levels   secreted    on    the    body's    own    time    schedule.  The   pineal    gland   and   melatonin    controls   the   function   of   both   the   thyroid   and   adrenal   hormones.   An   adequate   production   of   melatonin    can    often    serve    to   correct   hypothyroidism   and   adrenal   insufficiency,  both   of    which   are  associated    with    chronic   fatigue.  

Nutritional    deficiencies   are   often   a  feature   of   chronic   fatigue   syndrome.   As   with   most   of   the   factors   involved   in   this  disorder,  deficiencies  and   the   immune   breakdown  are   related.   The   body   needs  proper  nutrition  in  order  to  maintain  health.  People   with   this  condition  have   seen   positive   results   just  by   avoiding   GMO   food   and   eating  healthier.   Without   enough   of    the   right   kinds  of   nutrients , the  body   cannot  operate   at   an   optimum   level.   If   the   nutritional   deficiency  becomes   chronic,  breakdowns   in   function   will   occur.

    In  addition,  a  body   whose   immune   system   is   continually   overactive,  as  it   is  in  CFS,  requires   far   more   nutrients   to  keep  it  going   than   a  healthy  body   does.   Conversely,  this   overactive   immune   system   with   its  accompanying   nutritional   drain   can   in   itself   lead   to  deficiencies  in  key  nutrients. 

   Those    with   CSF   should   first  have  a  careful  nutritional  evaluation,  including   a   complete   examination   of   levels   of   vitamins,  minerals , trace  elements,  amino   acids,  hormones,  and   essential   fatty   acids.  This   is   what  we   do    here   at   Sunnyslope   Healing   Arts,  with   very   good   and   interesting   results    for   the   patients.  It  becomes  an   interesting   learning  experience   for   them  along   with   how   much   better  they  feel  after   a  treatment.   We   also   check   for   allergies   of   all   kinds,  including   environmental   and   food   allergins.  Allergies  and   the   immune   response  they   generate   can   be   an   underlying   factor  in   up   to  80%  of  patients  with   chronic   fatigue.    As   a   contributor   t o   immune   overload,  ongoing  allergic   reaction   is  an  essential   condition  to  address  in   the   treatment  of  CFS.   Maladaptive   reactions  to  any   subs tance   (food,  chemicals   or  inhalants)   can   produce   CSF.   It   is  imperative   to  first   identify   these  substances   and   then  avoid   them.  In  addition,  one  should  avoid   the  use  of   caffeine,  tobacco   and   alcohol.

   Without   determining   precisely    what  is  happening  in   the  patient's  body ,  treatment  is  guesswork.  A   careful   medical   history,  a  physical   examination  and   selected   tests  can  pinpoint   the   imbalances,  deficiencies,  infectious  agents  and   specific    immune    system   weaknesses  which   are   contributing  to  your  CFS.    Your   conventional    doctor   may   not   be   aware   of   the  specific   parameters   to   investigate. 

Viruses,  candidiasis,  bacterial   infections,  or  intestinal  parasites  are  often  a  factor  in  chronic  fatigue  syndrome.   Whether  these  infections  are   in  combination  are  the  cause  of   CSF   or   opportunistic   invaders  of  an  already  weakened  immune  system  has  not  been   conclusively  determined.  In  either  case,  infections   involved   perpetuate   and  deepen  immune  dysfunction  by  further  taxing  an  already  overloaded  system.  One  infection  puts  demands  on  the  immune  system  which  can't  kick  it,  and  another  infection  may   join   in,  leading  from  one   to  another  in  a  domino  effect.   The  most  common  infections  are  yeast  and  parasites.   Hidden  bacterial  infections   such   as   Lyme  disease   and   abscesses  in  the  teeth  and  sometimes   chronic   sinusitis  and  gastritis  may  also  be  factors.  

   The   damage   caused  by  parasites  in  particular  can  be  quite  extensive.  Parasites   can   destroy  cells  faster  than  they  can  be  regenerated;  they  can   release   toxins   that   damage   tissues,  resulting  in   pain   and  inflammation;  and   over   time,  they   can   depress,  even   exhaust ,  the  immune  system.

   People  who  have  accumulated   pesticides  in  their  bodies  show   to  have  suppressed   immune  systems,  inflammation  and  pain  until   they  are    cleared  systematically  from  their  bodies  in  a  quick  and  easy  Needle  Free  clearing  process.  For  many   toxic   elements  the   clearing   procedure   is   the  most   efficient  and  effective   way   to  clear  the  body  of  them.  

 CHRONIC  ELECTROMAGNETIC  FIELD  EXPOSURE

   According  to  an  Environmental  Protection  Agency  study,  there  is  growing  evidence  of  a  link  between  exposure  to  electromagnetic   fields (EMFs)   which  are  generated   by  electrical   currents   and   technological  devices  ----and  cancer.  While  EMFs  are  part  of  nature  the  quality  and  intensity  of  the  energy  can  either  support  or  destroy  health.  As  a  rule,  EMFs  generated  by  technological  devices   tend   to   be   much  more  harmful  than   naturally    occuring  EMFs.  EMFs   affect   enzymes   related  to  growth   regulation,  gene  expression   and   cell  division  -   all  of  which   effects   the   health   and   well being   of   an   individual,   especially   if   they   already  have  a  compromised  immune  system.  People  with  mercury  poisoning  or  other  environmental  contaminants  are  often  more  sensitive  to  EMFs  and  have  to  be  even  more  careful  about  exposure  to  them.  It  is  important  to  turn  off as many  devices  as  possible  at  night  before  bed.