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Fibromyalgia
- and
Immune System
Dysfunction
Our immune system is our natural defense against
disease. When it is in a balanced and healthy
state, it is a wonder to behold. However, many
factors can contribute to a condition in which
our immune system is no longer able to protect
us. This section of the fibromyalgia program is
to help you understand how your immune system
can reach a state where it is functioning at its
maximum capability, and how adding still more
stress to an already maximally functioning
immune system can result in immune system
dysfunction.
The cascade of events that follow produce a
state of chronic illness known as fibromyalgia. Ken
Bock, M.D., in his excellent book "The
Road To Immunity", has compared the
immune system to a kettle. It can absorb and
respond to multiple threats to our well being,
but finally even the most vital immune system
can reach its maximal functional level. Any
added insult simply can't be adequately
addressed so the kettle overflows, and the onset
of fibromyalgia symptoms begin.
In
utilizing Dr. Bock's kettle analogy, the added
insults which cause the overflow are often
events which fibromyalgia sufferers relate when
they look back at their lives prior to the
appearance of their symptoms. There are three
events that have often occurred: (1) an
illness that perhaps didn't seem too serious
at the time, but after which the individual
never seemed to fully recover. (2) An injury
which may or may not have required medical
treatment -- a whiplash, a fall or burn, or some
other type of physical injury. (3) An
emotional trauma such as the death of a
loved one - a divorce, bankruptcy, or some other
type of severe emotional trauma. Even if not all
three events have occurred, often one or two can
produce enough stress on an already maximally
stressed immune system as to precipitate the
onset of immune system dysfunction and
fibromyalgia.
continued
at the top of column 2------->.
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t is well established that (1) infection places an extra
load on the immune system. It is also well documented
that (2) physical and (3) emotional injury adversely
affect the immune response as well.
Ken
Bock, M.D., in
his excellent book "The Road To Immunity",
has compared the immune system to a kettle. It can
absorb and respond to multiple threats to our well
being, but finally even the most vital immune system can
reach its maximal functional level. The example of the
full kettle below illustrates the types of everyday
attacks to our immune system and what it must defend
against.
When additional immune system challenges such as injury,
severe stress, or an infection occur, the already filled
kettle can no longer respond - as characterized by the
overflowing kettle. At this point, immune system
dysfunction has begun.
There
is a sequence of events that occur within your body
which produce the symptoms and signs found in the
fibromyalgia syndrome. The downward spiral takes you
step by step through those events. The spiral begins
with the onset of immune system overload as demonstrated
in the immune kettle illustration. The end result is
immune system dysfunction and the development of the
fibromyalgia syndrome
So
why does one begin to develop the symptoms
characteristic of fibromyalgia? The illustration
of the downward spiral into fibromyalgia shows
us the build-up of intracellular toxins and the
cell damage that occurs as the immune system
becomes overwhelmed and dysfunctional. One role
of the immune system is to take damaged cells
out of circulation, to repair cell membranes, to
clean up cellular debris, and to help usher
waste products out of the body.
The inability of the now dysfunctional immune
system to fulfill these roles results in a
build-up of toxins and an increased population
of now toxic cells which produces a feeling of
toxicity in the body. Toxic cells within muscles
can produce myalgias (muscle pain). Muscle pain
can cause the sleep disturbances which are
characteristic of fibromyalgia. Therefore the
cascading effect begins, all precipitated by the
onset and consequences of immune system
dysfunction.
Fibromyalgia Exposed Links
What Is
Fibromyalgia?
Anatomical
Tender Points
Fibromyalgia - Sleep Disturbances
The Immune System Messengers
Immune
System Dysfunction
Fibromyalgia and Fatigue
Fibromyalgia and Female Hormonal
Imbalance
Day & Night....Fibro AMJ
Click Green Link Below for Program Information
Fibromyalgia
Recovery Program
PHONE ORDERS: 1-661-374-8020
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