Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are more or less similar in their characteristics and occurrence. Fibromyalgia is the muscle pain whereas chronic fatigue syndrome is a general feeling of being tired. In both cases, people who are suffering from the disorder find it difficult to cope up with life. In both of these conditions the central sensitization is the responsible factor. The cause can also be a mix of nutritional deficiencies bowel dysbiosis, acquired toxicities, inadequate stress coping abilities, inappropriate or excessive medication, sensitivities and allergies, inadequate sugar control mechanisms, poor posture and breathing dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, current or past viral, parasitic, impaired organs of digestion and elimination, yeast or bacterial infections, emotional distress and many more factors.

For people suffering from these syndromes, it is important to understand that the body has a self-healing mechanism. At times, the homeostatic system of the body breaks down and diseases start appearing. At this point the body is in need of help, care and treatment.

• You should start by decreasing the load on the body and your emotions as this can lead to a lot of serious side effects. Improve your posture, eating habits, include small forms of physical activity, and learn how to cope with stress and more. You can also opt for a detoxification program and try to keep the pressure away from the defense mechanism of the body.

• Try to enhance the defense mechanism of the body by a number of means mostly by eating the right diet and focusing on the nutritional contents.

• Treating the symptoms is the last stage of the line of treatment for both the conditions. You should however, make sure that it does not affect the other parts of your body functioning.

There are a number of drugs used in the treatment of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Some of the most commonly used drugs include antidepressants; allergy medications (antihistamines), antivirals; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve); and immune-system boosters.

There are a number of clinical trials being carried out that focus on the specific treatment of patients with these diseases. It has been seen that bringing in dietary changes or adding nutritional supplements to the diet would also help the person improve the condition. Many people also opt for yoga, homeopathic medications and acupuncture to get relief from the symptoms and the disease. Both of these conditions can worsen because of stress. It is hence important that you should:

• Plan out to limit the exertion and exhaustion. Keep yourself away from emotional stress and take out time every day to relax.

• Getting proper sleep is one of the most important factors. You should make sure that you are getting regular and sound sleep that leaves you fresh in the mornings.

• Exercising regularly can also help you improve your condition. Start with regular exercises like walks, swimming, water aerobics, biking, and the like that will help you in relieving the pain and also leaves you fresh.

You should have a regular schedule to treat and beat both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jonathan Pitts

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