ead muscoloskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue characterizes Fibromylagia. The exact causes of Fibromyalgia are still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other fibrous tissues in the body.

Women are more prone to develop Fibromyalgia, although men are also afflicted by it. Patients suffering from Fibromyalgia may have one or a combination of all the following symptoms such as chronic pain, insomnia or sleep disorder, hypersensitivity to touch, chronic fatigue, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. Some patients have also reported symptoms such as sensitivity to light, noise, odors, certain foods, and medications. Other symptoms reported are temporomandibular joint dysfunctions, morning stiffness, memory loss, dizziness, and dry eyes and mouth.

Fibromyalgia is often referred to as the invisible illness, as no apparent pathology is present. It is believed that psychosocial factors are responsible for this disease. Fibromyalgia is neither a fatal nor a degenerative disease; however it can affect almost all the aspects of a person’s life. The chronic pain associated with the disease is pervasive and persistent and can affect normal social and recreational activity. It has been estimated that about 30% of those affected by this disease are unable to work full time. The United States government recognizes Fibromyalgia as a genuine medical condition and patients can apply for social security disability benefits.

Physicians all over the world consider Fibromyalgia as a functional illness in which the symptoms are real but the medical tests turn out to be normal. Trying to understand Fibromyalgia through the bio-medical model is a futile exercise. Bio-medical model explains the illness as cause and effect and is based on dualism. The bio-medical model considers the mind and body as separate.

The reality is in fact contrary to this belief and most diseases like Fibromyalgia need to be understood through the bio-psychosocial-spiritual model. It is now well accepted that Fibromyalgia needs to be addressed after addressing, understanding, and accepting the inter-dependence of the mind, body and the spirit. Factors such as genetics, environment and the influence of the conscious and unconscious mind also play an important role in patients developing Fibromyalgia.

The root causes of Fibromyalgia are not in the head but in the mind and body. The brain is connected to the body by the spinal cord through the autonomic nervous system. Small protein molecules in the neuropeptide messenger system circulate in the body and carry messages back and forth between the body and the brain and vice versa. Hence, we need to look at the mind and the body to really understand Fibromyalgia and not through the bio-medical model. There is a direct relationship between stress and the symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

Stress is the perception of psychological or physical threat and the perception of being unable to deal with it. Two important things about stress need to be kept in mind. First, stress can occur at the unconscious level and the individual may be unaware that he or she is under stress from a cognitive perspective. Second, stress is always perceptual. Certain individuals may find a situation extremely stressful while others may not be affected by it.

Although there are a number of factors that are responsible for Fibromyalgia, one common factor in all patients suffering from Fibromyalgia is ‘STRESS’. Another factor commonly associated with Fibromyalgia is sleep disorder or insomnia. It is still not clear whether these two factors cause Fibromyalgia or vice versa.

It is important that all concerned understand and accept connection between the mind and the body. Treatment and healing are two different processes. Treatment involves the application of something external and something given orally or intravenously, but healing happens from within. Patients should be encouraged to use their own power to heal themselves. It is a fact that Neuropeptides can be switched off and on through relaxation, exercise, diet, sleep, belief, and medication.

A change in lifestyle, improved eating habits, regular exercise, sleep and medication such as anti-depressants taken under medical supervision are beneficial for managing Fibromyalgia.



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Copyright (c) 2008 Hailey Harris

Fibromyalgia is a disorder where patients suffer from chronic muscle pain and tactile allodynia. In severe cases, allodynia becomes so serious that even being touched by the clothes the patient is wearing causes pain. This disorder also causes ‘tender joints’, or in other words pain on tender points on the body which includes the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms or legs. These parts hurt when they are even touched tenderly. Fibromyalgia also makes the patients suffer from fatigue, sleeping disorders, morning stiffness, severe headaches and sometimes neuropsychiatric problems which include cognitive dysfunction, depressive symptoms and anxiety.

The causes of Fibromyalgia are not known, though study has attributed a number of things to be associated with this disorder to some extent of naming them as possible causes. These include stress, Serotonin, Dopamine abnormality and genetics among others. This disorder can affect anyone though it’s more common in middle-aged women. Thought much study has been done since early 19th century, nothing has been found that can cure Fibromyalgia effectively. The doctors and scientists however suggest certain medicines that can help the patients by reducing the pain. The patients are also advised to get enough sleep and keep to some regular exercises.

But as the studies go on, it has been seen that diet patterns have a big role to play in bringing positive changes to the patients. For example patients suffering from Fibromyalgia have shown wonderful results with vitamins and supplements. Patients suffering from Fibromyalgia are anxious to know if they can be healed from this wrecking disease. It is good if they can remain as positive as possible. Their level of wellness in many aspects of their lives helps reduce their pain and prepare the body for a good healing process. Vitamins helps one to have this state of mind and sound body by helping the body to have a natural balance by keeping the cell count to the required level at all times.

When people feel pain, they always think of taking a pain killer that can quickly relieve their pain. But this is not an affective way of eradicating the pain suffered by Fibromyalgia patients. The most effective way to treat them is by the use of vitamins and supplements. A pain killer or such kind of a pill will only give you temporary relieve. They will only cheat you that you are well, but it’s not the case. But by using vitamins, the body is always kept healthy. Vitamins help the white blood cells which fight diseases in our bodies. Once the cellular level is maintained, the body is ready to fight any attacks and the body can get ready for healing.

Vitamins are available in most of the foods that we eat especially the vegetables and fruits. But since Fibromyalgia is a disorder that needs special attention, it is important for patients to know which types of vitamins are good for them and which one will bring the desired results fast with long time effect. If you are Fibromyalgia sufferer, you should think of getting professional counseling on this, no matter what the cost.

As for the supplements, there are many of them available in the market. But some of these supplements do not work so well with Fibromyalgia sufferers. And so, it is imperative to know which supplements won’t have side effects on their bodies and which ones will. This information can only be found by asking experts who have been dealing with the disorder. Apart from the usual benefit of maintaining the cellular levels, vitamins and supplements also help in reducing the joint and muscle pain, reducing fatigue, boosting energy levels, improving the relaxation ability and reducing headaches among other benefits.

In nutshell, when a Fibromyalgia sufferer takes vitamins and combines them with supplements and starts practicing lifestyle change, he or she can get very good, positive results. Chemical compositions should not be used, which only give you cover up effect and later the problem recurs. Recently, scientists have come up with some medicines which work well with Fibromyalgia sufferers, but before you lay you hands on these medicines, try vitamins, the result can be amazing.



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Fibromyalgia makes you feel tired and causes muscle pain and “tender points.” Tender points are places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms or legs that hurt when touched. People with fibromyalgia may have other symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, and problems with thinking and memory, sometimes called “fibro fog.”

Fibromyalgia Causes

Stress

Studies have shown that stress is a significant precipitating factor in the development of fibromyalgia, and that PTSD is linked with fibromyalgia. The Amital study found that 49% of PTSD patients fulfilled the criteria for FMS, compared with none of the controls. Stress can alter the function of the HPA axis and change cortisol levels in the body, leading to widespread pain .

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they were pulled or overworked. Sometimes fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle twitches and burning sensations. More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, and it shows up in people of all ages.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating associated with IBS are common in people with fibromyalgia.

Sleep problems

Many fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder that prevents them from getting deep, restful, restorative sleep. Medical researchers have documented specific and distinctive abnormalities in the Stage 4 deep sleep of Fibromyalgia patients. During sleep, individuals with Fibromyalgia are constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity, limiting the amount of time they spend in deep sleep.

Fibromyalgia Treatment

The most important therapy for muscle pain is regular, low-impact exercise. Keeping muscles conditioned and healthy by exercising three times a week decreases the amount of discomfort.

Medication

Antidepressant agents known as tricyclics relieve sleep disorders, reduce muscle pain, and treat depression. The tricyclic drug most commonly prescribed for fibromyalgia is amitriptyline (Elavil®).

Improved fitness through exercise is recommended. Studies have shown that fibromyalgia symptoms can be relieved by aerobic exercise. The best way to begin a fitness program is to start with low impact exercises, like walking and swimming.

Starting slowly helps stretch and mobilize tight, sore muscles. High-impact aerobics and weight lifting could cause increased discomfort. Symptoms may be relieved by gentle stretching and light massage, as well as acupressure, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques.

Xyrem (sodium oxybate): Clinical trials of Xyrem showed that it significantly improved sleep quality and reduced pain in fibromyalgia patients. Xyrem is a central nervous system depressant and is thought to help the patient attain the deeper stage 3 and stage 4 levels of sleep. Marketed by Orphan Medical, Inc., Xyrem is FDA approved for cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone) in patients with narcolepsy. Note: Because of its potential for abuse, Xyrem is a Schedule III federally

Muscle Stretching

A physician may also stretch affected muscles that are causing pain. Stretching involves a technique that helps to relax tense muscles prior to an injection. The muscle is then injected with a local anesthetic such as lidocaine to provide longer-lasting pain relief. The downside is that this procedure is initially painful and injections of local anesthetics are not always effective.



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