Naperville Integrated Wellness

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Fibromyalgia Flare Up and Functional Medicine

Do you suffer with fibromyalgia (FM)? If so, then you understand all too well how debilitating this condition can be.  A fibromyalgia flare up can be sudden and cause major discomfort in day to day activities.  Fibromyalgia affects millions of people and women are much more likely to suffer from this debilitating condition than men. One of the most frustrating aspects of this health issue is how poorly it is understood by researchers and doctors. To make matters worse, traditional treatment options are usually limited to medications like Cymbalta or Lyrica. The usefibromyalgia-flareup of these medications does however provide some insight into what is really happening with FM. Currently, experts seem to agree that FM is the result of altered neurological function. If you have FM, your brain and nerves are struggling and failing to work properly.

Fibromyalgia Flare Up

A fibromyalgia flare-up refers to a temporary worsening or intensification of symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. During a Fibro lare up, individuals may experience heightened pain levels, increased fatigue, stiffness in muscles and joints, sleep disturbances such as insomnia or unrefreshing sleep, and heightened sensitivity to touch, sound, or other stimuli. Other symptoms commonly associated with fibromyalgia, such as headaches, digestive issues, and mood disturbances, may also worsen during a flare-up. Flare-ups can be triggered by various factors, including stress, overexertion, changes in weather, lack of sleep, illness, or certain activities or foods. Managing flare-ups often involves a combination of strategies, including rest, gentle exercise, stress management techniques, pain management strategies, and adjustments to lifestyle and daily activities.

Cause of A Fibro Flare Up?

Doctors and researchers don’t know what causes fibromyalgia and they probably never will. I say this because there is not a single cause. Sometimes FM can be caused by a stressful or traumatic experience or it follows an infection. It can run in families, so there may be a genetic component but it also is more common among those with autoimmune disease. Women are much more likely to suffer with FM than men, so there is a strong likelihood that hormones play a role. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) “Most researchers agree that FM is a disorder of central processing with neuroendocrine/ neurotransmitter dysregulation.” If you break down these big words like “neuroendocrine” and “neurotransmitter” then you will see that researchers are saying that the nervous system is involved, but so is the endocrine system which includes glands like the thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, etc. So, hormonal balance between cortisol, estrogen, progesterone may be involved.

No One Direct Cause To Fibromyalgia

My point is that there is not a single reason someone develops FM. This is precisely why functional medicine provides more hope than other current treatment options. Functional medicine physicians assess the health and function of the various systems that lead to the imbalance called fibromyalgia. The NFA also states that; “An increasing number of scientific studies now show multiple physiological abnormalities in the FM patient…” Even the Mayo Clinic website says; “Doctors don’t know what causes fibromyalgia…” Again, this is because there is not a single cause for this condition; but we do know that the various imbalances in one’s health ultimately disrupt normal neurological function. Why do I say this? Let’s look at some of the most common symptoms experienced by fibromyalgia sufferers.

Common Symptoms of a Fibromyalgia Flare-Up

  • Pain: Pain can only be perceived via the nervous system and fibromyalgia sufferers experience heightened levels of pain throughout the body.
  • Fatigue: If the cells of your body cannot produce sufficient levels of energy, they will not function properly and your brain requires more energy than any other organ in your body.
  • Insomnia: Insomnia is most often related to imbalances in brain chemical (neurotransmitter) production.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS is considered a motility functional disorder of the digestive system with a strong neurological component.
  • “Fibro-fog”: poor memory and concentration: Fibro-fog, brain-fog, poor concentration and memory are clearly related to brain / nervous system function.fibromyalgia-flare-up
  • Sensitivity to touch, light and sound: Sensitivity to touch, light or sound; these are sensory functions and they are controlled by the nervous system.

These common symptoms are all related to nervous system function one way or another.  The point I’m trying to make is that imbalances in other systems of the body can interfere with normal neurological function and cause the syndrome called fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is classified as a syndrome; it is a health condition that causes several different symptoms. A syndrome is a set of medical signs and symptoms that are correlated with each other; they are related. They are related through altered neurological function. Isolating the cause(s) of this dysfunction is where an integrative approach really shines. At our Naperville office, we look for the underlying disorders that lead to the development of fibromyalgia. The human nervous system is a highly complex and sensitive system; a disruption in proper digestion, energy production, hormonal balance, detoxification, etc. can have a significant impact on your nervous system’s ability to regulate itself and keep itself working the way the it should.

Schedule A Functional Medicine Fibromyalgia Flare Up Appointment

Traditional healthcare often focuses on symptom management rather than addressing the root cause of fibromyalgia, typically relying on psychiatric medication or anti-inflammatory drugs. For those struggling with fibromyalgia, consulting a functional medicine doctor may offer a more comprehensive approach to healthcare. This article aims to provide a new perspective on fibromyalgia and highlight the importance of adopting a functional medicine approach.  Learn more from our fibromyalgia specialist at Naperville Integrated Wellness.  We approach by seeking the root of the problem of your fibromyalgia.

As one of the best FM doctors for Fibromyalgia in Chicago, relying solely on medication for managing fibromyalgia may not be sustainable in the long term, as it fails to address the underlying health issues contributing to its development. If you’re seeking a functional medicine doctor in Aurora, Naperville, Chicago, Bolingbrook, St. Charles or Wheaton, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. For more information about functional medicine for Fibromyalgia, or to learn about Dr. Sexton, visit www.napervilleintegratedwelness.com.

Encourage self-education through diligent research and critical evaluation of information sources. It’s vital to assess the credibility of sources, as healthcare information may be inaccurate or biased, even from reputable outlets. Furthermore, it’s important to recognize that this approach does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease, as per FDA regulations which limit these terms to drug-related treatments. Instead, the focus lies on managing nutritional deficiencies. According to FDA guidelines, nutritional deficiency management cannot be considered synonymous with treating, curing, mitigating, or preventing disease.

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