How are fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue related? Causes and how to treat them

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has many symptoms and general aspects in common with fibromyalgia; two types of illnesses that are both limiting and chronic, but with some differences. What are they and how can we treat them naturally?

What is fibromyalgia and how is it similar to chronic fatigue?

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterised by chronic, widespread, mild to severe musculoskeletal pain. As reported by the National Library of Medicine (NIH), all people suffering from this disease feel generalised pain throughout the body for no specific reason and, most commonly, the pain lasts for months, and in the most acute cases, permanently.

The disease can become quite incapacitating if certain recommendations and measures are not taken to alleviate the symptoms and treat them effectively, as it is a disease that affects the way the brain processes pain signals and amplifies the sensation. Furthermore, and as the NIh report states, it is a condition that is more prevalent in women, up to almost 5 per cent more than in men, and its age range is between 40 and 49 years old.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disease which, like fibromyalgia, has unknown causes and common symptoms include muscle pain, which also increases with exercise. But let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of both illnesses.

Common symptoms and treatment of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue

People with CFS and fibromyalgia all have many common symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, there may even be a possibility that they could be the same illness, but that they could be classified into two different evolutionary facets. Despite this, they are treated as two separate illnesses, although at first professionals may confuse the diagnosis by overlapping the symptoms of each.

The most prevalent symptoms of fibromyalgia are:

• Muscle aches and pains
• Extreme tiredness and fatigue
• Mild to severe general mental and physical debility
• Symptoms do not go away with rest and rest
• The disease could be made more severe by exercise.

According to experts, when Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is prolonged over time it is often associated with other related conditions such as fibromyalgia, so it is necessary to treat all the symptoms to stabilise the sufferer. And among its causes, as described by the National Library of Medicine (NIH), the main problem could be due to a problem with how the central nervous system processes pain.

And concerning the triggers of the disease, the health institution explains how it could be emotional or physical trauma, constant sleep disturbances, a virus or infection, an abnormal response to pain or being exposed to high-stress situations that could be the origin of the disease, among other factors such as genetics.

Thus, among the symptoms of fibromyalgia, we find:

Cognitive difficulties: or what is called “foggy fibre” which means difficulty concentrating because of the pain experienced.

Fatigue or feeling very tired, leading to insomnia and other sleep disturbances

Generalised pain: which the person feels as intense and continuous muscular discomfort all over the body.

Lifestyle and prevention of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue

One of the first things experts recommend is good stress management. As opposed to limiting overexertion, rest is recommended while remaining active through basic breathing exercises, meditation and general relaxation. For this, Yoga Nidra body techniques or something as simple as going for a walk can be of great help.

Good sleep quality and sleep hygiene: Allowing enough time to go to sleep, as well as creating a sleep routine and limiting naps is another basic recommendation.

Consistently doing basic exercises: Practices such as walking, cycling, aerobics, gentle yoga or swimming are often very effective and pain is reduced if practised regularly, as are stretching and postural exercises.

Nutrition: healthy eating is another of the most important things. Reducing caffeine and not smoking are other pillars.

Alternative medicine such as tai-chi, acupuncture or other relaxing techniques can also be effective in relieving symptoms and pain.

In conclusion, in the case of fibromyalgia, the most predominant symptoms are usually pain and generalised tenderness in the body, whereas, in CFS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fatigue is the most dominant symptom.

You can live with both conditions with the right treatments, the above and with organic silicon-based reinforcements such as Orgono G7 Sport Recovery Cream cold gel that oxygenates the entire musculature and provides immediate relief or Orgono Articomplex capsules; a multimineral and multivitamin based on organic silica that helps to strengthen and gain elasticity in the joints.