Bowel symptoms are a routine part of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia. These are caused by many problems including numerous bowel infections and autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

The autonomic nervous system is what controls contractions that move food in the proper direction going from your stomach toward the colon and anus.

Bowel infections and autonomic dysfunction results in acid reflux, nausea, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and constipation — and most people with CFS or fibromyalgia have some or all of these symptoms.

Eliminating candida/yeast overgrowth is especially helpful (I recommend candida be treated in almost everyone with CFS or fibromyalgia), as is treating any parasitic infections which in our study were present in 1/6 of CFS patients.

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is also common in CFS/fibromyalgia and is actually aggravated by an underactive thyroid.

What's new is the hypothesis that hydrogen sulfide (which causes a rotten egg smell and is the major reason why intestinal gas sometimes smells awful) is also being produced at toxic levels by certain unhealthy bacteria — and aggravating symptoms.

It is also hypothesized that the presence of toxic metals (e.g., mercury, nickel, etc.) can make the hydrogen sulfide even more toxic and block energy production in people's mitochondrial energy furnaces.

Along with this hypothesis, a home test kit to measure for hydrogen sulfide will also be marketed to people with CFS.

Hydrogen sulfide is normally found in our bodies at low levels. It is a major part of natural gas (e.g., the gas used in gas ovens). It is usually not toxic at low levels (your body has enzymes to break down small amounts) but can be very toxic at very high levels.