FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic pain conditions, affecting up to 10 million folks in the U.S. and up to 3 to 6% worldwide. Approximately 10% of affected patients have severe symptoms that can result in partial or total disability. Reported symptoms include chronic aches, pains and stiffness with an emphasis on the shoulders, neck, low back and hips. The pain and fatigue are frequently heightened secondary to physical exertion or psychological stress. How do we know this it not a psychosomatic issue (frequently identified as such)?

1. Identification of functional abnormalities in muscle tissue

2. Mitochondrial defects (powerhouse of most cells)

3. Oxidative stress (free radicals)

4. Neuroendocrine abnormalities (thyroid etc.)

5. Elevated brain glutamate (excitatory neurotransmitter)

6. inFibromyalgia creased inflammatory markers

7. Bacterial overgrowth in the gut (SIBO)

8. "leaky gut"

9. Vitamin D deficiency

10. Low levels of L-tryptophan (precursor to serotonin)

Fibromyalgia is one of the most frustrating things to treat and involves addressing all of the following:

1. sleep

2. hormones (sex, thyroid (high doses of t3) etc.)

3. Infections

4. toxicity

5. nutrition/glutamine

6. GUT/ SIBO, glutamine, H pylori

7. exercise

8. pain

9. chemical sensitivities

10. oxidative stress

This can be overwhelming. Most clinicians start by addressing sleep issues however, I have had good success starting with healing the gut.

For additional information check out Dr. Alex Vasquez book entitled "inflammation Mastery 4th edition)"..He goes into incredible detail in chapter 5 section 4.

AUTOIMMUNITY

One of the functions of the immune system is to protect the body by responding to invading microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, by producing antibodies. However, if the immune system malfunctions, it mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues and organs resulting in autoimmunity. These attacks can affect any part of the body, weakening bodily function and even turning life-threatening. There are more than 100 autoimmune diseases. The more common ones are; rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Sjogren's, scleroderma, restless leg syndrome, myasthenia gravis, MS, etc. So what can cause autoimmunity? The following is a list of things that have been associated with autoimmunity.

smoking

agricultural chemicals

organic mercury

genetics

poor nutrition, i.e. low vitamin d levels

leaky gut

viral infections, i.e. Epstein Barr

estrogen dominance (more women present with autoimmunity then men)

chronic infections

toxins

adrenal fatigue

toxins like mold (see mercury above)

age-usually starts between the ages of 15 to 44

How is autoimmunity treated? From an allopathic perspective (western medicine) there are numerous drugs (biologics) that are used, with a myriad of side effects (not going to list them here) that never address the "why" or what has caused this problem in the first place. Addressing the cause is critical (from a functional medicine perspective) as other autoimmune diseases tend to follow. There are natural (vitamin d, CBD, PEA) interventions as well as compounded prescriptions (low dose naltrexone/LDN.)

MIGRAINES

A migraine is characterized by recurrent headaches that may be moderate to severe. They usually effect one side of the head and tend to be pulsating in nature and last from a few hours to 3 days. Associated symptoms may include nausea, vomiting and light sound or smell sensitivity. One third may have an aura which precedes the migraine. Onset may start as early as puberty. Causes may include environmental stimuli and genetics (15% worldwide). Risk factors include family history (genetics) and being female (3 times more prevalent). Preventative treatment (pharmacological) includes metoprolol, valproate and topiramate. Treatment includes ibuprofen, triptans and ergotamines. The underlying mechanisms are not completely known, however it appears that the mediator is small protein called CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide). It is highly prevalent in the sensory nerves that supply the head and the neck and is involved in pain transmission as well as being a very potent vasodilator (may be part of the pathology). The big question is, and knowing that CGRP seems to be involved at the outset, are there other (more natural/less onerous options)? The following papers identify interventions that directly/indirectly address CGRP.

1. Endocannabinoids in Chronic Migraine: CSF findings suggest a system failure. Neuropsychopharmacology. The endocannabionoid system responds to CBD (in this case I use ONEcbd) and an endocannabionid that is natural to the body (PEA-palmitoylethanolamide)

2. 2. Tolerability of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)in a Pediatric Population Suffering from Migraine:A pilot study. Pain Research and Management.

3. The Preventive Treatment of Migraine with Low Dose Naltrexone(LDN)/Acetaminophen Combination: Findings of a Small, Randomized Double Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial with an Open Label Extension for None-Responders.

4. Herbal supplements that impact CGRP include Sangre de Grado (Dragons blood) and grape pomace.

In summary, and ignoring all of the science, ONEcbd,PEA and the herbal supplements have an important role in treating migraine.