Root causes of fibromyalgia

Gluten intolerance SIBO / leaky gut

Digestive disturbances that occur due to food sensitivities such as glucose intolerance, SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth), and leaky gut can lead to gut microbiome imbalances due to which the vital functions of the immune system are affected.

This could contribute to widespread inflammation and an increased secretion of neurotransmitters like prostaglandins due to which the patient’s sensitivity to pain is increased. As a result, the patient experiences severe pain all over the body.

Parasite or pathogenic bacteria overgrowth

Previous co-infections such as Lyme disease, candida, EBV, and mold exposure as well as the adverse effects of medications used to treat these diseases could contribute to the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the intestine. As a result, the gut microbiota is adversely affected.

This would create imbalances in the immune system functions and the gut-brain axis putting patients at risk of chronic inflammatory conditions like fibromyalgia.

Traumatic event / chronic stress / HPA axis dysregulation

Traumatic stress events and chronic mental stress could lead to the disruptions in the levels of hormones resulting in the dysregulation of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis.

Hormonal disturbances play a key role in triggering inflammation and lowering the person’s pain threshold. Restoring the balance of hormones, especially stress hormones like cortisol and thyroid hormones, through effective stress-relieving techniques such as medication could inhibit the dysregulation of the HPA axis thereby preventing the risk of fibromyalgia.

Restoring a healthy adrenal response and resetting the body’s circadian rhythm by improving the sleep-wake cycle would also reduce stress, and enhance the normal bodily functions thereby allowing a person to derive relief from the symptoms of this condition.

Mitochondrial dysfunctions

Mitochondrial dysfunctions can trigger fibromyalgia by reducing the availability of a source of energy to the organs at the cellular level. Supporting mitochondrial functions could offer an effective strategy to reduce pain and prevent fibromyalgia.

Inflammation

Inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress play a major role in causing widespread chronic damage to the healthy tissues making patients vulnerable to developing fibromyalgia.

Toxicity due to heavy metals like mercury and lead can contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress. Similarly, MTHFR mutations and immune dysregulations can also trigger inflammatory damage and weaken the body’s defense mechanisms against inflammation. These factors can trigger the development of fibromyalgia.

Nutritional deficiency

Deficiency of nutrients such as vitamin D, B vitamins, magnesium, and glutathione can make the immune system less efficient at fighting infections, inflammation, and oxidative stress due to which the risk of fibromyalgia may worsen. It may also prolong the recovery of patients even after the treatment has started.