PMID: 17376601
This Pub Med opinion article should quickly draw Fibromyalgia research to correct focus.
Its publication is a pivotal event in research, understanding and treatment of this formerly-mysterious illness.
In 2000, I discovered that the natural flow of the Lymphatic / Serous Fluids - (saliva, synovial, interstitial, cerebrospinal fluid, etc., throughout the human body can malfunction. It can become disrupted, and it can be restored with treatment. This malfunction is the cause of the symptoms of FMS. It is a factor in other illnesses as well.
This is the first time this malfunction has been broached publicly by a formal research group.
The article is saying, "We recognize the concept of disrupted perfusion likely being the cause of Fibromyalgia symptoms; it is clearly plausible. As medical researchers we don't see anything that immediately proves it to be incorrect, we think it can be tested, and it should be researched."
The article does not specifically identify the location of the disruption as being between the arterial capillaries and the lymphatic capillaries as I have, but that can be confirmed in formal research.
It indicates vasodilation allowing the flow through vessels, while we consider vasorestriction, allowing interstitial flow.
It also does not mention the implications for other illnesses that have been brought to light by these discoveries, as I have, but we certainly expect to see future articles about that from these and other researchers, possibly addressed under individually-named illnesses and treatments.
Six years is a long time; we've given all we have.
Thousands have been helped, but millions are suffering from FMS and the other illnesses. Widespread exposure of these discoveries is a critical step toward relieving their pain.
Dr. Katz's wide notoriety and position at Yale University School of Medicine insure that this research opinion will immediately reach a vast audience of researchers, physicians, and the media, which only adds to our joy. We are very grateful for this interest.
Anne Hillebrand
www.FibroFix.com
PMID: 17376601
Medical Hypotheses. 2007 Mar 19; [Epub ahead of print]
Katz DL, Greene L, Ali A, Faridi Z.
Yale Prevention Research Ctr, Yale U. School of Medicine, 130 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418
Yale U. School of Public Health, Yale U. School of Medicine, 60 College St., New Haven, CT 06520
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a condition of chronic muscle pain and fatigue of unknown etiology and pathogenesis.
There is limited support for the various hypotheses espoused to account for the manifestations of FMS, including immunogenic, endocrine, and neurological mechanisms.
Treatment, partially effective at best, is directed toward symptomatic relief without the benefit of targeting known, underlying pathology.
A noteworthy commonality among partially effective therapies is a vasodilatory effect.
This is true both of conventional treatments, unconventional treatments such as intravenous micronutrient therapy, and lifestyle treatments, specifically graduated exercise.
The pain of fibromyalgia is described in terms suggestive of the pain in muscles following extreme exertion and anaerobic metabolism.
Taken together, these characteristics suggest that the pain could be induced by vasomotor dysregulation, and vasoconstriction in muscle, leading to low-level ischemia and its metabolic sequelae.
Vasodilatory influences, including physical activity, relieve the pain of FMS by increasing muscle perfusion.
There are some preliminary data consistent with this hypothesis, and nothing known about FMS that refutes it.
The hypothesis that the downstream cause of FMS symptoms is muscle hypoperfusion due to regional vasomotor dysregulation has clear implications for treatment; is testable with current technology; and should be investigated.
Definitions:
hypoperfusion - decreased blood flow to a given tissue or organ.
vasomotor - relating to the nerves and muscles that cause the blood vessels to constrict or dilate.
dysregulation - affecting the narrowing and widening of the blood vessels.
anaerobic - without oxygen or not requiring oxygen.
ischemia - a condition in which blood flow (and thus oxygen) is restricted to a part of the body.
vasodilatory - dilation of blood vessels (especially the arteries).
perfusion - the process of nutritive delivery of arterial blood to a capillary bed in the biological
tissue.Dr. David L. Katz, M.P.H., F.A.C.P.M., F.A.C.P., is a co-founder and the Director of the Yale Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine.
He is the founder and Director of the Integrative Medicine Center at Griffin Hospital, Derby, CT.
A medical contributor for ABC News; nutrition columnist to O, The Oprah Magazine; and a health columnist for the New York Times Syndicate, Dr. Katz is also a frequent source of expert opinion to print media, radio and television.
Dr. Katz has authored nearly 100 scientific papers and chapters, and 10 books.
Ather Ali, ND, MPH is Co-Director of the Integrative Medicine Center where he oversees Naturopathic care and education.
He is also Assistant Director of Integrative Medicine at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center and teaches at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine.
Dr. Ali completed a B.S. in Psychobiology from UCLA, doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle. He completed a residency in Integrative Medicine from Griffin Hospital and the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, and a Masters of Public Health in Chronic Disease Epidemiology from the Yale School of Public Health.
He is currently completing a 3-year NIH/NCCAM National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.
Zubaida Faridi, MBBS, MPH
Assistant Director of Research and Operations, Yale Prevention Research Center:
Lindsey Greene, Student Intern
Yale Prevention Research Center. 2004 graduate of Yale College.
"Remember to pull together, and nothing will ever pull you apart."
Anne Hillebrand
