Susan John

07/08/2025

07/08/2025

06/08/2025

“Exploring the Link Between Fibromyalgia & Endometriosis: Shared Symptoms & Treatment Paths”

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Steven Lu, FRACGP
Written by
MoreGoodDays
Published on
May 21, 2024

Fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by chronic widespread pain and sensitivity to touch impacts 2% of the adult population1, while endometriosis affects 7-15% of women2 and involves the growth of the uterine lining tissue outside the uterus.

In this article, we identify the overlap in symptoms and explore the evidence-based connection, offering you the necessary tools to understand and manage these intertwined conditions.

What is the relationship between fibromyalgia & endometriosis?
Approximately 6% of women with endometriosis also suffer from fibromyalgia, a higher prevalence than would be expected by chance alone.

The two conditions share various symptoms, including:

•significant pelvic discomfort
•fatigue
•sleep disturbances
•increased levels of anxiety and depression.

Experts suggest that these conditions may be connected through a phenomenon known as central sensitization. This is when the central nervous system processes pain differently, leading to increased pain sensitivity. This heightened sensitivity may explain the coexistence of symptoms in both fibromyalgia and endometriosis.

How to tell the difference between fibromyalgia & endometriosis related symptoms:

Fibromyalgia typically begins after a significant stressor or develops gradually over time. It is often characterized by widespread pain, tender points, and cognitive impairments known as "brain fog." Key symptoms of fibromyalgia also include:

•persistent pain throughout the body
morning stiffness
•frequent headaches
•muscle pain
•challenges with memory and thinking
•symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
•over 200 possible symptoms.

In contrast, endometriosis involves the growth of tissue similar to the uterine lining but outside the uterus. Its symptoms tend to worsen with the menstrual cycle, causing intense menstrual cramps and digestive issues. These symptoms might be confused with inflammatory bowel disease due to their cyclical nature.

How are fibromyalgia & endometriosis diagnosed?

Diagnosing fibromyalgia and endometriosis is crucial for effective management and treatment. The diagnostic process generally involves:

~ruling out other conditions that could mimic the symptoms, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
~performing comprehensive physical examinations
using diagnostic imaging methods
~employing surgical techniques such as laparoscopy, particularly for endometriosis, for a definitive diagnosis.

Fibromyalgia

The diagnostic journey for fibromyalgia is intricate and requires a detailed discussion of your symptoms, which must have been persistently present for at least three months. The evaluation may also refer to the widespread pain index and symptom severity scale to gauge the extent of your discomfort.

Because no single test definitively confirms fibromyalgia, medical professionals exclude other possible conditions through various tests, including imaging and laboratory work. They follow the criteria set by the American College of Rheumatology to make a diagnosis.

Endometriosis diagnostic process
To diagnose endometriosis, medical practitioners typically:

~review the patient's health history
~perform physical examinations
use diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound or MRI.
~In certain instances, surgical intervention, particularly laparoscopy, is employed to directly observe and confirm the presence of endometrial lesions. These diagnostic tools help pinpoint the location and extent of the endometrial tissue outside the uterus.

Comprehensive diagnostic measures are crucial for devising a personalized treatment plan and accurately assessing the healthcare resources needed to manage endometriosis.

Source: https://www.moregooddays.com/post/fibromyalgia-endometriosis

06/08/2025

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31/07/2025

🌿 Allergies & Your Lymphatic System: The Overlooked Link Behind Histamine Havoc

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

🤧 Introduction: Allergies Aren’t Just a Nose Thing

When we think of allergies, we usually picture sneezing, itchy eyes, or skin rashes. But these symptoms are just the surface. Beneath the runny noses and watery eyes lies a complex immune cascade, tightly regulated by the lymphatic system—the body’s silent immune highway.

Allergic reactions are not isolated events. They are systemic immune responses, and the lymphatic system plays a pivotal role in detecting allergens, triggering immune responses, and clearing inflammatory debris.

🧬 What Happens During an Allergic Reaction?

An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance (like pollen or food proteins) as a threat. This leads to:
• Overproduction of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies
• Activation of mast cells and basophils
• A surge of histamine, cytokines, and leukotrienes
• Inflammation, tissue fluid buildup, and immune dysregulation

While the lungs, skin, or gut may be the entry points, the lymphatic system is the main command center regulating the full-body response.

🌿 The Lymphatic System’s Role in Allergies

The lymphatic system is responsible for:
• Draining interstitial fluid from tissues
• Filtering pathogens and antigens in lymph nodes
• Transporting immune cells, including T and B lymphocytes
• Clearing inflammatory waste and managing immune balance

In the context of allergies, this system becomes hyperactive and overloaded, which can result in persistent inflammation, lymph node swelling, and fluid retention.

🔬 1. Allergen Entry & Immune Activation

When an allergen enters the body (through the skin, airways, or gut), dendritic cells pick it up and travel to the nearest lymph node, where they present it to T-helper cells.
• In allergic individuals, these T-cells skew toward a Th2 response
• B cells in the lymph node then produce IgE antibodies
• IgE binds to mast cells, priming them for a future reaction

📌 This entire cascade is orchestrated in the lymphatic system, primarily within the nodes.

💥 2. Histamine Storm & Vascular Overload

On subsequent exposure, the allergen cross-links the IgE on mast cells, causing a dramatic release of histamine and inflammatory mediators.

This causes:
• Vasodilation (blood vessels widen)
• Increased capillary permeability (fluid leaks into tissues)
• Mucosal swelling and itching

The lymphatic vessels now face excess fluid load, trying to reabsorb and drain the interstitial buildup. If they can’t keep up, congestion, puffiness, and swollen nodes occur.

💧 3. Lymphatic Congestion & Swollen Nodes

Chronic inflammation from allergies leads to:
• Lymphatic vessel fatigue
• Swollen or reactive lymph nodes (especially in the neck, armpits, and gut-associated areas)
• Inhibited lymph flow, resulting in facial puffiness, fatigue, brain fog, and sinus pressure

📌 A sluggish lymphatic system may worsen allergy symptoms, forming a vicious cycle.

🌀 4. Chronic Allergies & Immune Exhaustion

In long-term allergies like eczema, rhinitis, or food sensitivities:
• Lymph nodes undergo lymphoid hyperplasia (enlargement due to overwork)
• Tolerance mechanisms break down
• The immune system stays on high alert, leading to low-grade chronic inflammation

This overload can leave you feeling tired, foggy, and puffy, even when not actively reacting to an allergen.

⚠️ Signs of Lymphatic Involvement in Allergies
• Swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck or underarms)
• Puffy eyelids or facial swelling
• Chronic sinus pressure or post-nasal drip
• “Heavy head” sensation or brain fog
• Digestive bloating after allergen exposure
• General fatigue or sluggishness during allergy flares

🛠️ How to Support Lymphatic Flow During Allergy Season

✅ 1. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Gentle massage techniques help clear sinus congestion, reduce facial swelling, and assist fluid drainage from affected tissues.

✅ 2. Histamine-Modulating Foods & Herbs
• Quercetin – Stabilizes mast cells
• Stinging nettle – Natural antihistamine
• Vitamin C – Supports immune regulation
• Omega-3s – Reduces inflammatory signaling
• Bromelain – Aids in sinus and tissue drainage

✅ 3. Movement & Rebounding

Light exercise and rebounding stimulate lymph flow and reduce stagnation.

✅ 4. Liver & Gut Support

Support detoxification pathways with:
• Bitter herbs (dandelion, burdock)
• Probiotics (gut-immune axis support)
• Hydration and fiber for regular elimination

🧠 Final Thought

The lymphatic system is not just a drainage system—it’s a key player in allergic immune regulation. When it’s sluggish or overwhelmed, your allergic reactions may feel amplified and prolonged. Supporting lymph flow can not only ease symptoms but promote a more balanced and resilient immune response.

✨ So, next time your allergies flare up—don’t just reach for an antihistamine. Think drainage, detox, and lymphatic flow.

📚 References:
1. Akdis CA. “Mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy and immune tolerance to allergens.” World Allergy Organ J. 2015;8(1):17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40413-015-0076-3
2. Theoharides TC, et al. “Mast cells, inflammation, and autoimmunity.” J Clin Pharmacol. 2008;48(9):1099-1110. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091270008321135
3. Kataru RP, et al. “Lymphatic dysfunction in chronic inflammatory diseases.” Trends Immunol. 2019;40(6): 420-436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2019.01.007
4. Rockson SG. “The lymphatics and the inflammatory response: lessons learned from human lymphedema.” Lymphat Res Biol. 2013;11(3):117–120. https://doi.org/10.1089/lrb.2013.0030
5. Oliver G, Detmar M. “The rediscovery of the lymphatic system: old and new insights into the development and biological function of the lymphatic vasculature.” Genes Dev. 2002;16(7):773–783. https://doi.org/10.1101/gad.975002

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31/07/2025

💫 The Lymphatic System & Fibromyalgia: A Missing Link in Chronic Pain?

Fibromyalgia is a complex, often misunderstood condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue, cognitive disturbances (“fibro fog”), and heightened sensitivity to pressure. While fibromyalgia is typically classified as a central sensitization disorder, emerging research suggests the lymphatic system may play a critical, underrecognized role in its development, persistence, and symptom severity.

Understanding this relationship could open new, non-invasive avenues of support — particularly through Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), inflammation-reducing protocols, and detox support.

🧠 A Nervous System Disorder — But Is It More?

Fibromyalgia has traditionally been viewed through a neurological lens. Central nervous system abnormalities — such as amplified pain processing in the brain and spinal cord — are well documented. However, patients often report systemic symptoms that go beyond the nervous system:
• Chronic fatigue
• Gastrointestinal issues (IBS, bloating)
• Headaches and sinus congestion
• Facial puffiness and swollen lymph nodes
• Cold extremities and poor circulation
• Cognitive dysfunction

These symptoms suggest possible immune, vascular, and lymphatic involvement — all systems directly connected to lymphatic function.

🌿 The Lymphatic System’s Role in Fibromyalgia

The lymphatic system is a fluid transport, immune surveillance, and detox network, working in tandem with the cardiovascular and immune systems to maintain internal balance (homeostasis). Its three core functions — draining excess interstitial fluid, removing cellular waste, and regulating immune responses — make it highly relevant in the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia.

Let’s look at the connections:

1. Lymphatic Drainage and Interstitial Fluid Balance

Fibromyalgia patients often experience localized swelling, morning stiffness, and a sensation of “heaviness” or “toxicity” in limbs — even without clinical edema. These may reflect interstitial fluid stagnation, suggesting impaired lymphatic flow.

▶️ A 2021 study using near-infrared imaging found altered lymphatic flow patterns in fibromyalgia patients compared to healthy controls — suggesting fluid transport dysregulation may contribute to symptoms.

2. Neuro-lymphatic Crosstalk: The Glymphatic System

Recent discoveries highlight a brain-based lymphatic system, known as the glymphatic system, responsible for clearing neurotoxins and inflammatory metabolites during sleep.

In fibromyalgia, poor sleep quality and cognitive dysfunction (“fibro fog”) are hallmark symptoms. If the glymphatic system is impaired due to inflammation, poor circulation, or shallow sleep, neuroinflammatory waste may accumulate, exacerbating brain fog and central sensitization.

3. Immune Dysregulation & Chronic Inflammation

Fibromyalgia is increasingly viewed as involving low-grade systemic inflammation and immune activation — even if standard markers like CRP appear normal.

The lymphatic system is essential for:
• Filtering inflammatory cytokines
• Regulating T-cell and macrophage responses
• Clearing histamine, interleukins, and immune debris

Impaired lymph flow may contribute to immune overactivation, histamine sensitivity, and persistent pain.

4. Toxin Accumulation & Detoxification Imbalance

The lymph system plays a key role in removing cellular waste, environmental toxins, and metabolic byproducts. In fibromyalgia, many patients report:
• Heightened chemical sensitivity
• Poor liver detoxification (methylation, sulfation)
• Exaggerated responses to medication or environmental changes

A congested lymphatic system may slow detox pathways, leading to heightened systemic burden and symptom flares.

5. Fascial Stiffness, Lymph, and Pain

Fascia — the connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs — is rich in lymphatic capillaries. Fascial restrictions from inactivity, trauma, or inflammation can compress lymph vessels, reducing fluid drainage.

This may contribute to the diffuse myofascial pain and tender points seen in fibromyalgia. Therapies that soften fascial adhesions and restore lymph flow (like MLD, myofascial release, or light movement) can often bring significant relief.

✨ What This Means for Fibromyalgia Treatment

While fibromyalgia is a multifactorial disorder, supporting the lymphatic system may provide a powerful adjunctive approach — especially for those who feel stuck despite medication and lifestyle changes.

Support Strategies May Include:
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) – To reduce interstitial stagnation, drain inflammatory metabolites, and calm the nervous system
• Gentle movement – Such as walking, yoga, tai chi, or rebounding to stimulate lymphatic flow
• Hydration & mineral balance – To keep lymph fluid mobile
• Anti-inflammatory nutrition – To reduce lymph burden
• Castor oil therapy & dry brushing – As home-care tools to support drainage
• Detoxification protocols – Tailored and gentle, to avoid overburdening already sensitive systems

📚 Evidence & References
1. Lim et al., 2021 – “Altered Lymphatic Flow in Patients with Fibromyalgia Using Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34422122
2. Plog & Nedergaard, 2018 – “The Glymphatic System in CNS Health and Disease”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922545/
3. Albrecht et al., 2019 – “Neuroinflammation in Fibromyalgia and CRPS: New Insights and Treatment Implications”
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-019-0250-0
4. Klyne et al., 2023 – “Fascia, Fibromyalgia and Inflammatory Load: Revisiting the Interstitium”
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1100253/full
5. Nguyen et al., 2020 – “Immune Dysregulation and Cytokine Profiles in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Review”
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/8/2/105

🌿 Final Thoughts

The lymphatic system may be the missing link in understanding fibromyalgia’s full-body symptoms. While it’s not a cure, improving lymphatic health may reduce inflammation, relieve pressure, restore clarity, and improve energy — empowering those with fibromyalgia to reclaim their quality of life.

If you or a loved one is navigating fibromyalgia, consider the lymphatic system not as a side thought — but as a central ally in healing.

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