Chelation therapy is a process in which heavy metals are taken out of the blood. Some heavy metals include mercury or lead. Chelation therapy is a common treatment for different kinds of metal poisoning. It has also been considered to help other conditions, such as autism, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and heart disease. However, it is still unclear if chelation therapy helps treat heart disease. Within this article we will examine chelation therapy and how the method works. Additionally, we will also discuss its relation to fibromyalgia.
Please note that I am not a doctor. Although this article has undergone research to try and provide accurate information, you should always talk to your doctor for professional advice. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
What is Chelation Therapy?
As mentioned previously, it is a treatment method that uses medicine to remove metals from the body. This process works by injecting a medication into the body. The medication is a chelator or a chelating agent. After the injection, chelators bind to the metals in the bloodstream. As soon as the chelators collect the heavy metals the kidneys filter them and are released in the urine.
Benefits
There are several benefits of chelation therapy, especially because it is an effective way to remove heavy metals from the blood. In addition to mercury and lead, this treatment option also helps remove other heavy metals, such as arsenic, iron, copper, and nickel. Metal poisoning can occur when an individual drinks polluted water, breathes polluted air, or ingests lead paint. Other conditions can create a buildup of metals in the body. For example, here is a list of conditions:
- Wilson’s Disease: This disorder is inherited and causes copper poisoning. Symptoms usually occur between the ages of 12 and 23 years old. Symptoms include: swelling, fatigue, abdominal pain, and uncontrolled movements. This chronic disease can be treated by a medical professional.
- Hemochromatosis: This condition is inherited and causes an iron overload. More specifically, it is where there is too much iron in the body. Symptoms include darkening of the skin, abnormal heart beats, diabetes, or arthritis. Caucasians are more at risk for the classic type of hemochromatosis. Left untreated it can lead to more serious conditions.
- Chronic Kidney Disease: This condition involves a longstanding disease of the kidneys. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from the blood. When kidneys fail, waste builds up. Although the condition cannot be cured, treatment can help. This condition usually does not show any symptoms. It can be diagnosed by a blood test.
- Thalassemia: Thalassemia and other blood disorders can lead to a buildup of iron. Because certain blood disorders require frequent blood transfusions, it is likely to create a buildup of iron in the body.
Risks
Although there are several benefits of chelation therapy, there are also some risks. Chelators can create side effects. Patients may experience a burning sensation at the injection site. Some side effects can be more severe than others. Other side effects can occur, including but not limited to the following:
- fever
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- low blood pressure
- anemia
- cardiac arrhythmias
- seizures
- hypocalcemia (small amount of calcium in blood)
- brain damage
- vitamin deficiencies
- mineral deficiencies
- kidney damage
- liver damage
- allergic reaction
Because chelation therapy can be dangerous, this treatment option is usually only recommended when the benefits outweigh the risks. Talk to your doctor about what options are best for your condition.
Chelation Therapy and Fibromyalgia
Chelation therapy can help treat fibromyalgia by getting rid of ionic substances, including calcium, iron, lead, magnesium, manganese, plutonium and zinc. This treatment method can be used for fibromyalgia as well as chronic fatigue syndrome that can be impacted by heavy metal toxicity. Some research has suggested that heavy metals can cause fibromyalgia because having too many in the body can lead to lack of functionality.
This treatment option for fibromyalgia usually involves a blood infusion of EDTA. An EDTA is an amino acid complex of ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid. When EDTA comes into contact with the toxins, it will bind to the metals and expel them from the body. There is also an option for oral chelation therapy.
In some cases, chelation helps treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia. More specifically, chelation therapy can help patients with fibromyalgia by reducing the symptoms of fatigue, heart problems, respiratory problems, urinary problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, and neurological symptoms.
Contact your doctor for more information concerning chelation therapy as an alternative fibromyalgia treatment option. If you have any questions about chelation therapy, reach out to your healthcare professional.
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