Pain Relief Report » fibromyalgia Diet

How Fibromyalgia Can be Diagnosed?

Bill Martin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:39:14 +0000

To receive an accurate fibromyalgia diagnosis takes the average person five years because the symptoms of fibromyalgia are similar with other conditions. Unfortunately there are no laboratory tests that can help to diagnose this enigmatic chronic condition.

Self Help For Fibromyalgia: Herbs That Help

Bill Martin — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:59:47 +0000

Katherine Kimzey < strong>14 had headaches and fainted" align="left" style="margin: 0 5px 5px 0" />Fibromyalgia seems to be a growing problem for many people these days with around 5 million sufferers in the US alone. With no as yet identified cause or cure, self help for fibromyalgia is becoming a very popular topic.

Herbs can be used as a natural fibromyalgia treatment. These substances can relieve symptoms by decreasing inflammation, enhancing the production of necessary hormones, giving a boost to the immune system and easing pain. Below are some of the common herbal treatments – not all have been proven in the treatment of fibromyalgia, but they may offer relief for some.

St. John’s wort is known a natural substitute for prescription antidepressants. This drug positively affects the adrenal gland hormones to aid in managing stress. St. John’s wort also influences the nerves and is good for nerve pains. It also fights virus. A dose of 100mg three times a day has shown to improve some fibromyalgia symptoms.

(Caution: Do not take if with prescription antidepressants.)

Siberian ginseng is an energy boosting herb that can help deal with the fatigue brought about by fibromyalgia. It’s recommended that you select an extraction with 0.8 percent eleutherosides and take 100 -300mg a day. Taking siberian ginseng too close to bedtime can cause insomnia and take care not to exceed the recommended dosage. After six or eight weeks take a one to two week break, after which you may use the herb again for another six to eight weeks.

(Caution: do not take with heart or blood pressure medications)

Turmeric assists in reduction of inflammation and pain. You can take this in capsule form three times a day, or alternatively try dissolving half a teaspoon of turmeric powder in water.

Garlic detoxifies and builds the immune system. Consider a daily intake of 5,000 mcg of allicin three a day. Aged garlic like Kyolic is even better.

(Warning: large amounts of garlic can hinder blood clotting abilities).

Ginkgo biloba enhances circulation of the blood and may improve the memory function of the brain, although this is not proven.

Devil’s claw root is a natural alternative to anti-inflammatory medicines, and can be used to cure rheumatic disorders. It also acts as an effective analgesic.

Likewise, Willow bark, from which aspirin is derived from, is an anti-inflammatory and serves as an effective pain reliever.

Licorice root offers similar benefits to cortisone, but without the risk of the artificially produced counterpart.

(Caution: do not use if suffering from high blood pressure)

Dandelion decreases pain and invigorates the connective tissue. You should try for an intake of 1 tbsp. juice or 1 cup tea two times a day from four to a maximum of six weeks.

Skullcap and valerian root enhance deep sleep.

Teas brewed from dandelion, burdock root, and red clover may facilitate treatment for fibromyalgia by purifying the bloodstream and building the immune system. Mixed up or used as herbal teas, you’ll want to try for an intake of 4 to 6 cups every day.

Local applications of cayenne powder with oil of wintergreen can alleviate muscle pain. Cayenne has capsaicin an ingredient that prevents the release of neurotransmitters responsible for relaying pain signals that communicate pain sensations. For every 1 part cayenne powder, use 3 parts of oil of wintergreen.

Grape-seed and Pine-bark extracts are natural anti-inflammatory medicines. These alleviate pain. A good intake is 50 milligrams, two or three times a day.

Ginger is a great substitute to aspirin to alleviate pain. You can take this as a powdered supplement or grate ginger root and take as a tea.

For more natural methods of treating Fibromyalgia and other self-care tips sign up for the free Fibromyalgia newsletter below.

The list of natural fibromyalgia treatments is growing all the time. The good news for anyone searching for natural treatments for fibromyalgia is that there are many to consider. Self help for fibromyalgia is now more readily available than it ever has been before. However, it is important that you talk with your own doctor before you begin taking any herbal alternatives to try and manage your fibromyalgia symptoms.

The Link Between Hgh And Fibromyalgia

Bill Martin — Sun, 23 May 2010 13:09:43 +0000

Currently, it is estimated that about 5% to 7% of the population in the United States is suffering from fibromyalgia, a chronic medical condition. Fibromyalgia is a condition that is not known to lead to other serious health complications or death, but it sure is giving its sufferers a hard time. Studies suggest that there maybe a link between human growth hormone or HGH and fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when there is a chronic pain that is not caused by other conditions and multiple areas of soft tissues that hurt when touched.

In the past, the condition had often been mistaken as arthritis or other medical conditions. But through studies, it has been established fibromyalgia is different and needs to be addressed as another ailment, separate from arthritis.

Meanwhile, human growth hormone (HGH) is a necessary hormone present in all people. HGH is the hormone secreted by the pituitary glands in the brain. HGH is the direct regulator of growth in people.

It is through HGH that height is developed among growing kids and adolescents. HGH is at its highest in all people during the adolescence years, when growth and body development is at its fastest. After puberty, HGH is still present in people, but at decreased levels.

The link between HGH and fibromyalgia

The acute and severe pain brought about by fibromyalgia is truly devastating. Common symptoms include massive fatigue, joint pains, memory issues, headaches, inability to concentrate and sleeplessness.

It has not been established what the exact cause of this condition is. Initial findings from researchers suggest that decreased levels of HGH may be a contributing factor. HGH works within the body to repair and strengthen the muscles. It is also responsible for creating new muscle tissue. As we grow older the level of HGH declines, which may be partly responsible for the ‘normal’ aches and pains that seem to accompany aging.

Some of the symptoms of a lack of HGH in adults are very similar to those displayed by fibromyalgia sufferers:

Poor general health
Lack of energy
Impaired cognition
Mood disorder or depression
Cold intolerance

There has been a study carried out were 50 fibromyalgia patients took part in a double blind study that lasted for 9 months. Some of the group received GH injections and the remainder had a placebo. Those receiving the GH injections reported significant improvements in symptoms, whereas the placebo group experienced no change. In general it took about 6 months for the GH injection group to see improvement and after the trial their symptoms worsened again within 1 – 3 months.

For other natural treatment options sign up for the free fibromyalgia newsletter below.

The treatment

HGH treatments can be expensive and are available as injections and also in oral spray formula. If you are interested in trying a HGH and fibromyalgia relief treatment, you should talk to your doctor before starting.

Is A Fibromyalgia Service Dog For You?

Bill Martin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:32:49 +0000

There have been numerous studies carried out that shows dogs and animals in general help alleviate stress and anxiety and lower blood pressure of hospitalized chronically ill patients. But what can a fibromyalgia service dog for you and are they a suitable addition to your life?

First of all having any pet requires commitment on behalf of the owner. Dogs can live for 10 -15 years and they need to be feed, groomed, exercised and loved. You’ll also need to ensure that your garden, if you have one, is fully fenced and dangerous household items are placed out of dog-reach.

Service dogs for fibromyalgia sufferers is not uncommon, however you will need to be legally recognized as having a disability under the ADA of 1990 (Americans with Disabilities Act) before you can apply for one.

If you already have the necessary disability paperwork you’ll need to fill in forms at your chosen service dog center and be prepared for a long wait, there can be long waiting lists. It can also be an expensive procedure so ensure you understand what costs are involved.

There may be the possibility of disability insurance covering all or some of the costs involved, so it pays to do some investigation into this first.

Think about too, what you need your service dog for. Retrievers are common service dogs as they take well to training and can do things like retrieve items, help with household tasks, open doors and turn off and on light switches. All of which would be a great help if your mobility is impaired.

But they also provide more than practical help, service dogs can provide a reason for getting up in the morning and help patients become more active. Having a constant companion can ease pain, as a dog gives you focus away from the pain and they have shown to improve energy levels and sense of well being.

Smaller breeds are also being used as service dogs, but for very different reasons – their body heat.

One sufferer with fibromyalgia was introduced to a Xoloitzcuintli or Xolo (small Mexican hairless dog) and found that within 15 minutes of the dog lying on her wrists the pain with gone. Xolo’s are renowed for their exceptional body heat and she went on to have one as a service dog, trained to lie around her neck and shoulders.

For information about natural methods of treating fibromyalgia symptoms continue reading and sign up for the free newsletter below.

To find a dog trainer in your area visit The American Dog Trainers Network that lists dog trainers by state.

Food and Fibromyalgia Syndrome: It’s Time to Help Ourselves!

Bill Martin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:48:38 +0000

Nutritional therapy for Fibromyalgia can help reduce stress, free the body of toxins, and restore nutrients which have been stripped away. Supplements can be helpful, but right now, I want to focus on diet. FM patients need to watch what we eat because there are many foods that exacerbate our symptoms. I know how hard it is – especially in the carbohydrate category, because I LOVE pasta, potatoes and chocolate. Unfortunately, one of the first things recommended in a nutrition program for FM sufferers is reduction of carbohydrates and adding more protein. I can handle adding protein, but take away my carbs? UGH! Maybe you can identify. The fact is, if we want to feel better and restore our mental and physical function, it is a necessity. Since we (FM sufferers) already have a compromised immune system, a diet that includes the list of “no-no’s” can cause your body even more suffering. Also, certain foods have been found to cause fatigue. So, to avoid further destruction we need to follow the “fibro nutrition rules”. Some Fibromyalgia sufferers have a low carbohydrate tolerance or reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that strikes after eating carbs. This can cause problems with carbohydrate metabolism, which in turn creates the inability to lose weight, fatigue, worsening symptoms and carbohydrate cravings. Carbohydrates stimulate insulin production. Excess insulin can cause an increased absorption of sugar into our muscles and liver, which can be stored as fatty acids in fat cells, and prevent carbs from being metabolized. We need to lessen our consumption of unsaturated fats. It is recommended that we increase our intake of vegetables, whole grains, fruits and essential fatty acids found in cold-water fish, nuts and seeds. Saturated fats should be reduced. You can do this by choosing fat-free dairy products, increasing vegetables or trying soy products. Also, red meat, in particular, is hard to digest and increases cholesterol. So, we should exercise caution when it comes to the amount of red meat we consume. It is important to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and limit our sugar, salt, fat and the intake of specific additives like monosodium glutamate (MSG). Eating foods rich in antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E may be used to combat stress and support the immune system. Foods rich in magnesium help support your muscles and vitamin B-rich foods can help with stress, energy/metabolism and mental clarity. The best food sources of magnesium are legumes, tofu, seeds, nuts, whole grains, and green leafy vegetables. Some “fibromytes” find that foods high in acids like citric acid, trigger more muscle pain. Some examples are tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, red meat, cow milk products, brown and white wheat flour products, sugary foods, coffee, and yes, chocolate. Acidophilus and associated “good” bacteria can help balance the flora in your intestine. Some plain yogurts have active cultures that can help. You can also find other sources of “good” bacteria at health food stores like Kefir. Fibromyalgia patients are more sensitive to food, drugs, chemicals and pollutants. With the myriad of common issues such as allergies, gastrointestinal issues and migraines we tend to have, there are foods that can trigger these symptoms or make them worse. It might require a little detective work to figure out what foods are a problem for you. Use the process of elimination when you suspect that a certain food might be a triggering factor for you. Remove it from your diet for a couple of weeks and see if you start to feel better or the frequency of your negative responses decrease. Known foods that aggravate FM symptoms are the same as listed above but we need to also consider processed foods, fried foods, artificial sweeteners, bottled juices and diet soda. Processed foods are full of additives, preservatives, colorings, salt and sugar. These foods are what I like to call a “death trap”. I know, it sounds over-dramatic, but if we can think of them this way, we might be able to train our brains to reject them. We know our bodies already do because of the pain, fatigue and unhappiness that comes with a bad diet. If your detective work doesn’t provide results, you might want to try a hypoallergenic or gluten-free diet. With a hypoallergenic diet, you eliminate one food group at a time. You can start with removing a single item each week and see how you feel. If nothing happens, remove another food the next week. A gluten-free diet isn’t easy because it requires you to completely eliminate all wheat products. Since wheat is so common in a variety of foods, you will have to plan your diet it and follow it carefully. You can find wheat replacement products at health food stores. It is suggested that you don’t drink any liquids with your meals, avoid smoking, and avoid long periods of direct sun. You need to drink eight glasses of water each day between meals. Just like medications and therapies, each FM sufferer will respond differently to specific foods than another. Some have certain food allergies that others do not. Food allergies can interfere with your nutrient intake. It is recommended that we keep a food diary to help identify our triggers. Write down everything you eat and at the same time track your FM pain. Comparing the two might help you determine what foods may trigger allergies or pain. There is another diet method that has proved helpful for FM patients called Food Combining. The theory is that certain foods should not be combined because they work against each other. This diet is definitely worth looking into! It is my hope that by changing our nutritional life-style, we can begin to feel better and regain as much of our mental, emotional and physical function as possible.