Another great authority, The Yeast Connection and Women's Health by William G. Crook, M.D., looks into the possibilities of internal yeast infections as a culprit of autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia.  I have long had the idea that there was some type of systemic yeast infection that was plaguing my body with flu-like symptoms.  When questioning a medical practitioner, I was told that this is such a remote possibility that is only treated in hospitals.

This book looks into possible causes of a yeast over growth and depicts cases of  Leaky Gut Syndrome.  I have long ago discarded sugar from my diet plan, and after reading this book realized that even small amounts of sugar have set my fibromyalgia back into full swing.  With this book you'll be able to pinpoint the effects sugar has on your own metabolism and learn from experience.  Furthermore, it houses a great diet plan, similar to Phase II: Symptom Maintenance utilizing a whole food approach to healing.

Publication Date:
March 15, 2007 
 
A growing number of women suffer from chronic health disorders that seem to defy treatment. Their problems, which range from vaginitis to migraines and from  multiple sclerosis to depression, interfere with every part of their life. And  for too long, there has been no solution. Finally, hope is at hand in the completely revised and updated The Yeast Connection and Women's Health. In this book, Drs. William G. Crook and 
Carolyn Dean show women suffering from a number of debilitating problems how they can take steps to treat existing disorders, and prevent future yeast-related problems. Included is information on diet, prescription and nonprescription antifungals, lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, and nutritional supplements--all presented in easy-to-understand language and with real-life examples. The Yeast Connection and Women's Health is must reading for every woman who wants to restore vibrant health.
 -amazon.com

By Mary Shomon:
 
What is the yeast connection? The late Dr. Crook, aided by an update from renowned holistic physician Hyla Cass, MD, explain that yeast are single cell fungi, neither animal nor vegetable. These fungi grow on the surface of all living things. Their presence normally contributes to good health. 

Candida albicans is a family of yeast that lives in the warmth of your digestive tract, vagina and skin. In healthy people, candida growth is kept in check by intestinal bacteria. However, poor diet, stress and some medications can impair this balance so that the candida grow too much. This imbalance is called dysbiosis. When toxins from this condition leach through the intestinal walls, a number of chronic health conditions may be triggered.

In The Yeast Connection and Women’s Health, Dr. Crook provides a very complete description of the interplay between yeast and bacteria, along with how and why yeast infections may cause symptoms in many parts of your body. A total of 16 separate health problems are addressed. Of particular interest may be the connections between dysbiosis and thyroid conditions, as well as other chronic health problems including:

 
• endometriosis
  
• depression
  
• chronic fatigue syndrome
  
• fibromyalgia
  
• autoimmune disorders
  
• weight problems

The book presents specific definitions and symptoms lists for 16 conditions. The causes of each health problem, with emphasis on the yeast connection, are carefully detailed. Expert opinions and extensive treatment options are included. Dr. Crook shares some of his case studies to further clarify diagnosis and treatment options for each condition. Multiple websites and references for further reading are provided at the end of each condition-specific section.

The Yeast Connection and Women’s Health is a practical resource for proactive readers who want intense
involvement in their self-care. It thoroughly outlines the steps you can take to regain your health. With this book you can:                          

• Review factors that may predispose you to yeast infections. Get answers
  about why you could develop yeast-related problems.
  
• Complete the five-page Candida Questionnaire and Score Sheet and use it as
  a basis for formulating a treatment plan with your health care practitioner(s).
  
• Become savvy to the various health practitioners such as osteopaths,
  chiropractors, etc. who can supplement your team of experts.
  
• Learn how to keep a diary of your symptoms to track changes and communicate
  with your health care team.
  
• Begin following Dr. Crook’s 10-Step Program that introduces the 10 factors
  you need to evaluate and improve in order to control your yeast-related
  symptoms.
  
• Use the 4-step Sugar-Free, Anti-Yeast Diet to eliminate trigger foods,
  evaluate your lifestyle and maintain your diet successfully. The diet lists
  foods you can eat freely, foods you can eat cautiously and foods you must avoid
  completely. This includes incorporating fresh, organic foods and eliminating
  sugars, white flour, wine, vinegar and other fermented (pro-yeast) products.
  
• Coordinate your personal health plan with the resources at
  www.yeastconnection.com. You will find grocery lists, time diaries and an email
  service of encouraging words to help you take control of your health and life.
  

Chapter 10, A Special Message to Physicians, is uniquely helpful because it is full of support from the medical community for the yeast connection. This chapter is ideal if you feel your yeast-related symptoms are misunderstood or ignored. Share chapter 10 with your doctor. It will help you encourage your doctor to listen more carefully to what you’re saying about your symptoms.

Dr. Crook’s treatment philosophy also includes prescription and non-prescription medications. To that end, you will find two helpful chapters describing the purpose, side effects, cost and contraindications of both prescription and non-prescription antifungal medications and supplements. Also included are the opinions of Dr. Crook and other practitioners about the relative safety and efficacy of these medication options.

A checklist of good nutritional habits is included near the end of the book. It’s not overly technical and it certainly will keep you focused on savvy shopping, cooking and menu-planning goals. Recipes are not included, but the shopping tips and approximately two-week’s worth of meal-planning suggestions will get you started. (For recipes, you’ll want to check out The Yeast Connection Cookbook.)Recommended multivitamins, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and other supplements are listed and briefly discussed as well.  -About.com

I've recently read the most inspiring book.  With only 96 pages, I was able to complete this mini scientific wonder in as little as two days.  The Bible Cure for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia by Don Colbert, MD covered many of the holistic practices discussed here.  I often wondered how these small steps in Phase I: Finding Relief and Phase II Symptom Maintenance affect me on a synergy level.  Dr. Colbert gave me a comprehensible synopsis on how Fibromyalgia is able to wreck havoc plaguing my body with fatigue on a cellular level.  Most importantly, he addressed steps to combat this.  To my utter surprise many of these same steps are outlined in this blog already. 

A doctor once said to me, "You can never educate yourself enough on this illness.  Read everything you can, because the medical community is ill-equipped to deal with this phenomenon. Their medical training resides on addressing concrete illnesses that can easily be read from a testing machine."

One prominent section that stood out for me in the book was the section on Adrenal Fatigue.  It brought back a vivid memory.  One day sitting at my past job I had a parent come in and help me for the day.  As unusual nothing could be simply done and every little venture required a multi-tasking approach.  By the time the day ended my volunteer turned before leaving and said, "Gosh, working here each day would cause adrenal failure."  That stuck with me for quite some time. 

For years preceding my illness I suffered from a constant agitated feeling.  It was a simple tap of electrical flow that ran through my system keeping my body in overdrive.  Many days I came home to rest only to find a small nap was unattainable as my body fought its way into relaxation.  Days like this caused such jitters that I rose from my nap early, frustrated, just pushing on with my day until I could finally expire at night time.  What I had not know then was that my body was setting itself up for Adrenal Fatigue.  And, according to Dr. Colbert's book there are three stages:

Stage I

In this stage long term stress produces high levels of coritsol for a long period of time.  This decreases DHEA and ongoing release of ACTH from the pituitary. The adrenals begin to experience issues meeting the difficult demand for increased cortisol production.  When this happens, the body looks for other ways to facilitate cortisol and will usually rob pregnenolone from the sex hormones.  Hence why many fibromyalgia sexual hormones are usually low.

Stage 2

Thsi stage signifies a continuing decline in cortisol levels.  There is a gradual change from increased to decreased stimulation.  At this point, most patients have low cortisol levels in the morning, noon, or afternoon, but stabilize at night time.  Once cortisol levels decline, this is a marker of midstage adrenal exhaustion.

Stage 3

This is the final stage of adrenal fatigue and is marked by failure of the cortisol to produce normal levels at any point of the day or night.  The result is a hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis "crash."  Night time cortisol levels also drop and cause imbalances in other hormonal systems.  The body responds to emotional and mental stess as it would to any physical crisis.  Alarm kicks in and the adrenal medulla releases adrenaline for added strength and energy.  When this happens, the body experiences an inner collapse - fibromyalgia.

This book reminds everyone the importance of  a well-rounded approach to conquering this illness.  Hence, this website is targeted to not only food, but all the other aspects that keep your body well and in tip top shape. 

I recently ran into a new neighbor who lives a jaunt down the street.  She moved from one of the colder climates here to sunny Florida.  She was middle aged, as myself, and I was prompted to ask her why she would consider such a move latter in life being alone.  The idea of packing up my life's belongings and settling into a new area ran shivers up my spine.  The mere thought of committing to a new circle of friends and scouting out a new career endeavor just made me want to reach out and give her a hug for support.

Her answer was forthright and without hesitation.  "I suffer from fibromyalgia," she stated.  "I have visited Florida several times in the past few years and noticed a remarkable improvement in my health each time I am here.  It has to do with the sunshine.  I lie out every day-  catching a few rays, weather permitting."

"Are you retired?" I countered.

"Oh, no," she said, "I just took time, job searched online, and relocated. I've never felt better in my life!  I've only been here eight months."

With the onset of spring, her words rang true.  I sometimes forget how blessed I am living here in a sunnier climate.  When winter blues threaten to overtake my body with the painful symptoms of fibro, sun will peak out certain days to ensure my body gets a few delicious rays.  The more days I am able to get in 20 - 40 minutes of sunlight the better I feel overall.

But why is this so?

Sunlight brings that wonderful vitamin D into our bodies.  Vitamin D's benefits include:

• bone health

 • anti-cancer

• supports the immune system

• protects against dementia and brain aging

• good for loosing excess fat

• essential for decreasing symptoms of asthma

• strengthens teeth

The Vitamin D and Fibromyalgia Connection

Fibromyalgia is above all a chronic muscular pain, but is associated with a number of other symptoms that include sleep disturbance and fatigue, headache, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis, dyspareunia and mood disturbance.

Studies of fibromyalgia and persistent non specific musculoskeletal pain have found that a
low level of vitamin D is common. Vitamin D is an important immune system regulator. It has
been identified as a significant factor for incidence of several autoimmune illnesses such as Multiple sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus and inflammatory bowel disease. There is no consensus on optimal levels of 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D as measured in serum. Vitamin D deficiency is defined by most experts as 25 -Hydroxy Vitamin D level less then 20 ng /ml (50nmol/ml).  With the use of such definitions, it has been estimated that one billion people worldwide have Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.  Vitamin D deficiency is common when most of the skin is shielded from sun. In studies in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Turkey, India and Lebanon, 30-50% of children and adults had 25 Hydroxy Vitamin D levels under 20 ng/ml.

As Vitamin D plays an important role in nonspecific musculoskeletal pain and fibromyalgia, and it has also been described in previouis studies that fibromyalgia patients were found to have vitamin D deficiency. The aim of this study was to determine the Vitamin D levels in patients with fibromyalgia in our population and whether this deficiency also prevails in our patients.

Vitamin D deficiency and osteomalacia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or myositis. There is a need for both education of health
professional and the general public regarding the optimization of vitamin D status in the care of rehabilitating patients. http://www.jpma.org.pk/full_article_text.php?article_id=2395

I know this idea may not be a reality to many out there.  But, if you are all able, do consider relocating to benefit your health.  Why many do it all the time during their retirement!  But, if you are unable, consider taking additional Vitamin D-3 to offset your symptoms.