What Is The Difference Between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And
Fibromyalgia
What Is The Difference Between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome And Fibromyalgia.
Figuring out the difference between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia is not always an easy task.
Researchers and the medical community are still baffled by both of these conditions. Some researchers believe
that the two diseases are completely separate while others believe that they are separate diseases but with very
similar kinds of symptoms.
Still other researchers believe that they are different versions of the same kind of disease. Regardless of what
the case is, people who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia find that neither disorder is easy to
live with on a day-to-day basis.
To make the situation even more complicated, many people who have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (FM) also
suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
It is estimated that approximately 70 percent of people who suffer from FM also suffer from CFS and in turn the
opposite is also the case.
A researcher of Fibromyalgia by the name of Muhammad B. Yunus has created the term Central Sensitivity Syndromes
(CSS) to include a large group of illnesses that have overlapping features.
What these conditions have in common is that they cause sensitivity of the central nervous system. Under the
category of CSS Yunus includes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine
headaches, TMJ, restless legs syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, chemical sensitivities and a variety of other
health problems.
The one thing all of these problems have in common is that they share many of the same symptoms that overlap
each other. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia share many of the same symptoms.
These symptoms include excessive fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, memory loss, depression and
anxiety, numbness, generalized weakness in the body, forgetfulness, and problems with concentrating on
tasks.
Chronic Fatigue Fast Facts
Vitamins And Supplements That Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients Use
As with any treatment plan, patients should discuss any vitamin or supplement therapy with their physician who is treating them for the disease. Vitamins and supplements can have a beneficial affect towards giving some relief to the symptoms CFS patients' experience.
Doctors treating patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) have recommended and patients report feeling much better while taking Probiotics. Two brands that patients are taking are called: Health Trinity and one by...
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However there are other similarities as well. In both disorders there is a limited flow of blood in both the
midbrain as well as the cerebral cortex.
Stage four of sleep is often interrupted for patients suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
and/or Fibromyalgia and there is a serious suppression of the hypothalamic pituitary axis as well as decreased
levels of the growth hormone.
Those who suffer from CFS or Fibromyalgia experience reduced levels of normal serotonin in the
brain.
Both Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are believed to have a genetic link. There are
differences between thee diseases as well.
The most significant difference between the two is that the predominant symptom of Fibromyalgia is
pain in the muscles and joints and indeed sometimes all over the body whereas the number one symptom of Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome is extreme, prolonged and unexplained fatigue.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Facts
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Acupuncture has proved to be useful for many Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients. This is because
Acupuncture looks at the human body in its entirety. Acupuncture helps to control the discomfort
levels for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients, and can also be very good at decreasing the chances
of bacterial and viral infections.
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Those who suffer from Fibromyalgia have elevated levels of Substance P in their bodies while CFS
sufferers do not. Substance P is a neurotransmitter that sends signals regarding pain to the brain.
Those who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have elevated RNaseL, which is a cellular antiviral
enzyme whereas those who suffer from Fibromyalgia do not have this.
It is believed that CFS is brought on by an infectious illness or by a type of flu whereas
Fibromyalgia is believed to come about as a result of one form or another of trauma to the body, such as an
accident, surgery or an injury.
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