The Relationship Between Fibromyalgia and CandidaFibromyalgia and Candida have similar symptoms. A definition of Fibromyalgia would be something like this. You hurt all over and you feel exhausted. Your doctor, after taking several tests, can’t find anything specifically wrong with you.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by these fibromyalgia symptoms which include: widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, fatigue and multiple tender points on your body. It is a stress related auto-immune disorder and many of the symptoms mimic those of chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis and leaky gut syndrome. Fibromyalgia occurs in about 2 percent of the population in the United States. Fibromyalgia symptoms frequently begin after an emotional or physical trauma. In other cases, there seems to be no triggering event that causes these symptoms to appear.
Fibromyalgia isn’t progressive and generally doesn’t lead to other conditions or diseases. However, it can lead to constant pain, depression and lack of sleep. Women are more likely to develop this disorder than men. FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS Fibromyalgia and Candida symptoms are similar and varied. They include generalized pain. Joints, muscles and ligaments seem to feel this pain the most. Fatigue and sleep problems are frequently experienced. The list goes on to headaches, lack of concentration and poor memory, irritable bowel and bladder, neurological issues and chemical sensitivities. These symptoms are shared with people who have developed chronic fatigue syndrome and, in some cases, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). WHO IS MOST AFFECTED Women are much more likely to develop this disorder than are men and the risk of fibromyalgia increases with age. It tends to affect those between the ages of 20 through 50 years of age. MEDICATIONS Medications can help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia and improve sleep. The emphasis is on minimizing symptoms and improving general health. Some experience side effects from taking medications. PHYSICAL THERAPY Specific exercises can help restore muscle balance and may reduce pain. Stretching techniques and the application of hot or cold also may help. FIBROMYALGIA and CANDIDA So how can a yeast infection, lead to symptoms consistent with fibromyalgia and candida? Actually, an infection with Candida is quite likely to look like Fibromyalgia. The fact that women have Fibromyalgia as a result of Candidiasis more than men is also completely understandable, especially when you consider the following: • Candida resides in the intestinal tract, on the skin and in the female vagina. • Women are more likely to have risk factors for Candida, such as more antibiotic use for bladder infections and are far more likely to be using some form of hormonal birth control that promotes Candida growth. • Women experience more localized yeast infections, particularly vaginal Candidiasis. In either gender, the overgrowth of Candida anywhere in the body can lead to an overgrowth of Candida in the intestinal tract. Intestinal candidiasis interferes with the normal intestinal environment, which contains many healthy bacteria and a small amount of Candida. The intestinal ecological disruption causes good bacteria to be diminished and Candida to grow out of control. The result of intestinal candidiasis is that the gut becomes less permeable and this causes fungal organisms, toxins and products of food degradation to leak into the bloodstream. This is called leaky gut syndrome. When leaky gut happens, the body responds in several ways: • Diarrhea can be a common aspect of having an imbalance in intestinal flora. • A person can feel ill and fatigued from the presence of Candida and from the body’s infection-fighting response. • The presence of food by-products in the bloodstream causes the body to treat these molecules as foreign invaders; secondary food allergies can occur. • If there is sufficient exposure to toxins, the liver can become stressed, the individual can feel neurological symptoms as a result of the toxins and a generalized immune response can occur. Candida alone releases over 79 different toxins. • Because of the immune over-activity, infection and toxic exposure, those afflicted with Candida, which has expanded to show systemic involvement, often hurt all over, particularly in their muscles, ligaments and joints. If compared carefully, there is little difference between the symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Candida, those of chronic fatigue syndrome and the symptoms just described. Since there are no diagnostic tests that absolutely confirm or refute the presence of Candidiasis, the suspicion that Candidiasis is behind a cluster of symptoms we call Fibromyalgia, must remain high. If primary Candidiasis is suspected, the use of anti-fungal agents, alternative medical support for the immune system, probiotics to repopulate the bowel and a low sugar diet - fibromyalgia diet,may further the relief in those who have Fibromyalgia as a result of concurrent Candida infection. You are looking at a 'wheat free, sugar free, dairy free, candida diet, as I have mentioned before. Some of this article was taken from David Corner, who is the author and publisher of The Candida Cleanses Protocol.
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