There are millions of people in America, most of them women, who are suffering with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and/or lupus. All three of these syndromes are classified as autoimmune diseases. That means that the immune system has turned against a specific part or parts of the body and is attacking and destroying those tissues and organs. For years, doctors have been trying to get answers regarding these illnesses, their causes, treatment options, and symptom-attacks called episodes or flares. Here's why...
Fibromyalgia Syndrome- A chronic condition causing: intense widespread pain, painful points on specific parts of the body, extreme fatigue that doesn't go away with sleep or rest, muscle stiffness and weakness, cognitive and memory problems, mental fog, insomnia and other sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal issues including irritable bowel syndrome, depression and anxiety, mood swings, hypersensitivity to heat/cold/ noises/ odors/foods/medications, unexplained vision changes and blind spots, dry eyes, vertigo and dizziness, endometriosis, migraines and headaches...and dozens of other symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is frequently misunderstood by family, friends, co-workers and even medical doctors who don't believe that the person is actually ill. Getting a diagnosis of fibromyalgia may take months or even years. Sufferers of fibromyalgia usually end up seriously limiting their physical activity level, changing their lifestyle to cope with the symptoms, and may even have to modify their jobs or quit working altogether. Blood tests, x-rays, and other imaging tests are currently not available for diagnosis of fibromyalgia, although blood tests may be used to rule out other syndromes and illnesses.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- A chronic condition causing: Incapacitating fatigue/exhaustion, chronic pain, chronic flu-like symptoms, joint pain without swelling or redness, muscle weakness, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, chronic cough, nausea, earaches, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, problems with concentration and/or short-term memory, mental fog, depression and anxiety, panic attacks, personality changes and mood swings, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, frequent resistant respiratory infections, alcohol intolerance, hypersensitivity to heat/cold/ noises/ odors/foods/medications, low-grade fever, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), rashes, endometriosis, seizures, and dozens of other symptoms.
Often confused with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome is thought to possibly be a different manifestation of the same autoimmune disease. Both illnesses are thought to be caused at least in part by an infection... possibly from Epstein Barr virus, although there is a long list of viral suspects being tested today. Also there seems to be a genetic component in both conditions and sufferers frequently have symptoms of both syndromes.
Just as with fibromyalgia, the sufferer may not be diagnosed for months or even years, and their support system may be hampered by disbelief in the condition. Chronic fatigue sufferers have trouble keeping up with their responsibilities both at home and at work, and job changes, modifications, and even quitting work altogether, are common. The sufferer is not only dealing with the extreme fatigue, but with the wide range of other symptoms that make it hard to function at all. Because of the broad spectrum of symptoms, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome misdiagnoses are not unusual. The symptoms themselves are, in many cases, distinct and separate diseases that accompany or co-exist as a manifestation of the syndrome.
Lupus- A chronic condition causing: Fatigue, fever, joint pain, stiffness and swelling, a reddish butterfly-shaped rash on the face covering the bridge of the nose and cheeks, chest pain, shortness of breath, skin lesions that are worse with exposure to the sun, Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers and toes that turn blue when exposed to cold or during stressful situations), dry eyes, headaches, confusion and memory loss, and many other symptoms.
Symptoms of lupus may manifest suddenly or develop slowly over time. They may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. No two cases of lupus are alike. Most people with lupus have a mild form of the disease until severe episodes erupt. Then, symptoms get worse for a time... then may improve... or even disappear indefinitely!
Because the signs and symptoms of lupus in individuals vary widely, diagnosing lupus is difficult. The symptoms change over time and overlap with many other disorders... just as with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Fortunately, a combination of tests (urine and blood), plus the symptoms and physical examination can provide doctors with the answers they need.
In time, new developments in the study and treatment of autoimmune diseases will lead to cures for these debilitating syndromes. For now, treatment and learning behaviors (taking precautions to reduce or eliminate flares) for the symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and lupus, can give sufferers some relief.
As a sufferer of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and/or lupus, your knowledge of what works for you are your best defense against flares. Keep records of changes in your health and medications, food allergies, and any activity that triggers symptoms. Then, give the information to your doctor so that he can benefit from what you've learned and provide you with the best treatment options.
And take control of your nutrition. Natural treatments including strengthening your body from the inside out by repairing damage caused by these autoimmune syndromes, can go a long way to helping you control the symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and lupus. I am a fibromyalgia "survivor" and I can tell you that for long-term remission of symptoms, the best treatments I've found have been the inclusion of nutritional supplements into my diet. They've gotten me off expensive medications with my doctors' approval and they can do the same for you! For more information about using natural treatments to help you control your symptoms, contact me now by clicking on one of the links below.
http://www.overcomefibro.com/fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-lupus.html
LupusCarol Ryland is the President of a successful health and wellness business, dedicated to educating and mentoring individuals in the natural treatment of illnesses. Writer of many articles on fibromyalgia and related topics, she is a fibromyalgia survivor with a deep personal understanding of the syndrome and its devastating effects. http://www.overcomefibro.com/fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-lupus.html