Yeast Infections and Fibromyalgia

These two medical conditions are seemingly worlds apart in terms of prevention, causation and treatment. Yet, a close examination of these syndromes yields essential information that draws them closer in terms of causation and treatment. If you suffer from chronic yeast infections and/or fibromyalgia, this information will be of interest for you.

Fibromyalgia consists of pain and stiffness in your muscles, tendons and ligaments. There are eighteen "trigger points" on the body that are associated with fibromyalgia such as the shoulders, neck, lower back of the head, chest, elbows, knees and around the buttocks. Primary fibromyalgia is the most common type of this syndrome, usually occurring in young or middle-aged women who have no associated underlying medical disorder. Secondary fibromyalgia occurs when there is another underlying medical condition like hypothyroidism (inadequate functioning of the thyroid gland). Both types of fibromyalgia cause chronic pain in the trigger point areas, sleep disturbance, stress and anxiety, chronic fatigue, irritable bowl, and a weakened immune system. Since fibromyalgia has no identified cause, it also has no cure. Its symptoms can be treated with medications to decrease discomfort.

A yeast infection, also known as Candidiasis, is caused by an overgrowth of the naturally occurring fungus, candida albicans. This fungus normally inhabits the intestines, mouth and vagina. It causes no harm unless circumstances allow it to grow in great abundance. Candidiasis can affect the skin, vagina, mouth, anus, eyes, bloodstream, and heart and lungs. It targets people with underlying medical causes that compromise your immune system like cancer, AIDS, diabetes, lupus and fibromyalgia. Yeast infections are successfully cured in the majority of cases with an antifungal medication.

Fibromyalgia is aggravated by stress, lack of restful sleep and chronic fatigue. Since these symptoms weaken the immune system, you are at high risk for an infection of opportunity like Candidiasis. If you are being treated for severe pain from fibromyalgia with a corticosteroid like prednisone, this medication, and also antibiotics, can cause overgrowth of candida albicans. This can produce a chronic cycle: you treat your fibromyalgia with steroids, steroids increase candida yeast, and recurrent yeast infections cause you to feel so stressed that you aren't sleeping well, you're anxious, or you feel depressed. This can cause your fibromyalgia to flare up. The cycle resumes all over again.

If you have either primary or secondary fibromyalgia, you can reduce or even eliminate concurrent yeast infections. If you are prone to Candidiasis due to steroid use, your physician can help you find other methods of pain management including non-narcotic medications, a low-dose antidepressant called amitriptyline and sleep medications. You can choose to have trigger point injections that consist of saline solution and a mild steroid that does not enter the bloodstream and put you at risk for a yeast infection. You can also use non-drug treatments such as gentle massage, stretching exercises, physical therapy and avoiding extremes of cold or heat.

Candidiasis only occurs when your physiological circumstances provide it with the environment it needs in order to flourish. Take away this environment through a variety of medical treatments, adequately treat your fibromyalgia symptoms, and candida albicans will remain a silent and harmless part of your normal body chemical composition.