New Research Reveals Root Cause of Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Dr. Pierre Brunschwig
Good news: a cause has been found. Even better news: there is treatment!
For years, patients experiencing Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia have been left without answers. Typical blood tests show no signs of illness or inflammation, and medical providers were left treating symptoms instead of the root cause. That’s about to change.
Feeling drained? You’re not imagining it, and you have options.
New Research
Last year an article was published in the Journal of Immunology that did not receive the fanfare it deserved. The study examined patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis (fibromyalgia). Like many studies of CFS/ME, the blood tests showed no signs of inflammation. But when the researchers collected cerebral spinal fluid, quite a different story evolved. All of the CFS/ME patients showed inflammation in the fluid that circulates around their brain.
Central Nervous System Inflammation
What does that mean? The type of inflammation varied, but because all the patients had some form of inflammation, the study successfully demonstrated that the symptoms of CFS/ME are very likely the result of central nervous system inflammation. What is more, the researchers demonstrated that these patients had elevated antibodies to CMV, Parvo B19 and COVID. Each type of inflammation was associated with a different group of viruses.
Viral Reactivation & Treatment
What that means is that the neuroinflammation in people with CFS/ME is caused by reactivation of latent nervous system viruses. Put simply, dormant viruses become active again, causing inflammation and associated symptoms. While viral reactivation may not sound like good news, knowing about it has a positive outcome. It means that treating patients with antiviral therapies is likely to improve their symptoms. That is enormous news! Not only do we have a much more detailed understanding of the cause of CFS and MES, but we also have a treatment that addresses the root cause!
Treatment at Helios
At Helios we are now embarking on testing and treating these and other latent viruses, and we are excited to see people with CFS/ME make progress. Treatment at Helios includes strategic supplementation, medications, and antiviral IVs.
If you have chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, or think you are experiencing symptoms of either condition, call our office to make an appointment. We can create a testing and treatment plan based on your unique symptoms and work towards getting you relief.
Dr. Pierre Brunschwig is the medical director at Helios Integrated Medicine. He has been boarded in holistic medicine and family practice, and is trained in homeopathy, functional medicine, and acupuncture. He tirelessly studies inside and outside the medical box to deliver the most effective care for his patients.