Fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue syndrome, has increased by 200 to 400 percent in the last decade and now affects approximately 6-12 million Americans. It's a syndrome with symptoms of hormonal, sleep and autonomic control dysfunctions.
Those with fibromyalgia often suffer from widespread pain in muscles, poor sleep, and low energy levels. Co-existing conditions are food reactivities and irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, chronic sinusitis, restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea.
Medical treatment may include analgesics for pain relief such as with acetaminophen or NSAIDS. Most will require treatment for hypothyroidism with Armour Thyroid. A Cortef prescription or supplementation with adrenal glandulars or licorice is also helpful for adrenal support. Lastly, sex hormone therapy may be needed.
Nutritional support may include supplements of iron to guard against iron-deficiency anemia,which may contribute to lacking energy, as well as coQ10, which is fat-soluble antioxidant needed in the mitochondria for production of energy. In addition, acetyl-l-carnitine may be helpful for supporting mitochondrial energy and d-ribose may help increase energy and reduce pain.
Reference
1. Kohlstadt I. Food and Nutrients in Disease Management. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2009.
