Stop Chronic Fatigue

Archive for the ‘Fibromyalgia’ Category

So you may be wondering what to do about the fibromyalgia pain and other devastating symptoms you have. You may be wondering if there is a fibromyalgia diet out there that works. See if this scenario sounds familiar to you.

You have gone from doctor to doctor looking for a diagnosis. You have terrible pain in the trigger points, you are severely fatigued, anxious, experiencing brain fog, but don’t know what to do.

Doctor’s are having a hard time diagnosing you and treating your symptoms. You may feel crazy, like no one understands how you are feeling and what you are going through. Doctor’s may not know how to treat you, but there is help. You are not crazy!

There’s a secret out there in the medical community that can help your Fibromyalgia symptoms get better. Many studies have been done to show that changing your diet can help you alleviate the severity of your symptoms. A magic diet? No, there is no such thing. But there are some things that research is validating when it comes to your diet and fibromyalgia.

Listen to your body. Everyone’s metabolism is unique and so is everyone’s diet. There are however, some general tips for everyone’s body to help them feel better. Get rid of the white processed foods that are packed with refined sugars. Also, cut down on fatty foods. Eat more fruits and veggies. Does this sound familiar? Isn’t what our parents have been telling us for years? Well, the hard part is following through on these suggestions.

Fruits and veggies can have amazing benefits for Fibromyalgia sufferers. Fruits and veggies are good sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and other good nutrients. Eating these has many advantages.

Take the carrot, for instance. It is packed with Beta-carotene which is an antioxidant full of nutritional benefit. Beta Carotene can also be found in apricots, broccoli, kale, spinach, and squash. Another great antioxidant is Vitamin C. We know where some of the major sources of Vitamin C are found: grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, tangelos, etc. But did you know that there is a whole bunch of Vitamin C hanging out in green stuff as well? Sources such as broccoli, kiwi, green peppers, green leafy veggies and more. These antioxidants are essential to your good health and fight against fibromyalgia.

Most people eat less than half of the amount of fruits and veggies they should in a day. The Food Guide Pyramid recommends 5-9 servings each day. I think we should tend to lean on the 9 a day. I know this sounds like a lot but the benefits are so worth it. Try and eat fresh fruit and vegetables and only go to canned or frozen in off-seasons or when there isn’t fresh available.

Other diet tips for fibromyalgia sufferers include; drink more water. Help your body flush the toxins out and to eliminate waste. This will also help with your intestinal problems that are common to fibromyalgia sufferers. More protein and less carbs help just about every body type whether you have fibromyalgia or not. It helps fight the fatigue as well. Stay away from caffeine. Caffeine can make your bad gut worse and make your symptoms of IBS and fibromyalgia worse.

Like I said earlier, there isn’t a magic diet that is going to cure you overnight but with some discipline and attention to your diet you can succeed in ridding yourself of the pain and fatigue associated with this terrible condition. There is hope and you can get better. These tips can make a difference in your life and help you on your way to an energetic joyful life.

For more information on the right diet for Fibromyalgia or on any Fibromyalgia topic, please visit us at www.ridfibromyalgia.com.

Are there any support groups in Plymouth UK, or the South West, still running please? Also, is there anyone living with Fibromyalgia, in the same area, looking for support? I would like to hear from people interested in raising awareness of FMS in the UK.

I have been sick for over a year now. I keep going to the doctor with no answers they keep treating the immediate problem and I am starting to think there is more of a major problem. Possibly Fibromyalgia. I have body ache, pain, disturbed sleep, exhaustion, stiffness when I wake up, tingling in my hands and legs. I know I need to see a Dr. I just want to know more about the disease and if there are any treatments to help it. Thanx Bunches!!!

Fibromyalgia has been commonly referred to as a “stress-related disorder” due to its frequent onset and worsening of symptoms in the context of stressful events. This disease can affect every aspect of a person’s life and is seen in about 2% of the general population, which affects more females than males, with a ratio of 9:1 by ACR criteria.

 Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain like the soft fibrous tissues in the body. Fibromyalgia patients are often sensitive to odours, loud noises, bright lights, and sometimes even the medications they are prescribed.

Fibromyalgia can be managed, but it needs to be managed differently than a standard disease. Fibromyalgia also causes people to have trouble sleeping and feel very tired all the time. Fibromyalgia is especially confusing and an often misunderstood condition. Fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation or damage to the painful areas, but seems to be due to an overactive pain system. It can be very difficult to diagnose.

 Fibromyalgia pain has been described in a variety of ways including: burning, radiating, gnawing, sore, stiff, and aching. Fibromyalgia patients also have a higher incidence of specific sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. Symptoms Symptoms can have a slow onset, and many patients have mild symptoms beginning in childhood, that are often misdiagnosed as growing pains. Symptoms vary, depending on stress level, physical activity, time of day, and the weather. Symptoms can be exacerbated by environmental or emotional stress, poor sleep, trauma, and exposure to dampness or cold, or by a physician who gives the patient the incorrect message that it is “all in the head.

 Other common signs and symptoms include: DepressionNumbness or tingling sensations in the hands and feet (paresthesia) Difficulty concentrating. Mood changes. Chest pain. Dry eyes, skin and mouth. Painful menstrual periods. Dizziness. Anxiety. The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread musculoskeletal pain, severe fatigue, and disturbed sleep. Sometimes fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle twitches and burning sensations. Other symptoms may include: irritable bowel and bladder, headaches and migraines, restless legs syndrome (periodic limb movement disorder), impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems, Raynaud’s Syndrome, neurological symptoms, and impaired coordination.

 One of the most important factors in improving the symptoms of Fibromyalgia is for the patient to recognize the need for lifestyle adaptation. If the condition is not diagnosed and treated early, symptoms can go on indefinitely, or they may disappear for months and then recur. If you have fibromyalgia, many different treatments are available to help you manage your pain and other symptoms.

 One of the main factors that seem to affect outcomes is how quickly treatment begins following the onset of symptoms. Treatment Conventional medical intervention may be only part of a potential treatment program. Alternative treatments, nutrition, relaxation techniques, and exercise play an important role in Fibromyalgia treatment as well. The goal of treatment is to help in the management of pain and other symptoms. Some people find complementary therapy treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage, chiropractic or osteopathy ease their pain or fatigue, or help them relax and manage their condition better. Alternative treatments, which focus on pain relief and stress relief, also benefit many fibromyalgia patients.

 If specific tender points are particularly painful, you can use acupressure to help calm them down. Soothing aromatherapy baths and massages can help to ease muscle and joint pain. Herbal Remedies Herbs can be used to help alleviate fibromyalgia by reducing inflammation, stimulating hormones, providing immune system sup. Recent studies have shown that people can get a sustained benefit by participating in an aerobic exercise program. For many years it was thought that fibromyalgia was psychologically based but is now recognised as a medical condition in its own right and research into the condition has increased.

 It is thought that fibromyalgia may be due to a malfunction in the way the central nervous system processes pain signals. Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia are diverse and vary among patients, treatment programs must be individualized. In general, treatment for fibromyalgia is with a combination of medication and self-care. So is there a cure for fibromyalgia? No. Is there ways of providing relief? Yes. If you found this article helpful, than please use the following link to find out for yourself how you can cope with and manage fibromyalgia.