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From the Latin fibra (fiber), the Greek words myo (muscle) and algos (pain), fibromyalgia is a chronic rheumatic condition characterised by widespread muscle and joint pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Because it manifests with a set of generic symptoms, it is commonly misunderstood and misdiagnosed. Basically your body aches all over and even after a night of sleep it is common to feel fatigue due to lack of restful sleep. There are a set of tender points which systematically are painful to touch and depression is also an associated symptom.
Other reported symptoms include:
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dry mouth
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abdominal pain
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headaches
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light sleep
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stiffness
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hypersensitivity to temperature
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difficulty to concentrate
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irritable bowel syndrome
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incontinence
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numbness in the fingers and feet
In order to successfully diagnose fibromyalgia Doctors rely on patient histories and an accurate manual tender point examination according to standard criteria of the American College of Rheumatology. Eighteen Tender points in characteristic locations are tested. If eleven 11 or more of these points are in pain and widespread pain lasting for more that three months is present, then it can be possibly be diagnosed as fibromyalgia. Other diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis have an overlap of symptoms, making the diagnosis even more difficult.
In the case of positive diagnosis for fibromyalgia, it should be accepted that although it’s a non-progressive situation, unfortunately there is no cure and it can be expected that pain can condition your lifestyle and that’s why it’s so important to manage correctly your habits, empower you with pain management skills and develop sustainable relief for the syndrome. One of the most important elements in fighting fatigue is to follow a fibromyalgia diet where your body will be better prepared. Some substances like citrines, chocolate and caffeine seem to worsen the condition and should be avoided. Others, as wholenuts can relieve the symptoms. Follow a healthy and conscious plan and live a happy life.
Technorati Tags: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia diet, FMS
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Nowadays Fibromyalgia is developing a status in society, starting to be observed like a real and truly painful condition. However, research studies have not yet proven the specific role in the syndrome of some general choices related with everyday’s life like… food.
However, common sense tells that a healthy nutrition plan is able to change life and in this ambit FMS can not be different. For those who suffer from FMS every advantage is one more step to recovery and like this a balanced food choice will help strengthen the immune system, reduce fatigue and prevent secondary diseases.
Muscle debility as a primary symptom in FMS patients, just for starting, reveals for instants how important should be for people with this illness, to respect in every meal an adequate amount of protein. At the same time, healthful foods like those high in immunity boosting antioxidants and phytochemicals are also of fundamental role, once could help to achieve higher levels of body energy and minimize fatigue.
In the United States the general ideal diet composition is 40-30-30 ratio of carbohydrates proteins and fat. However this diet could not be just for people who share days with FMS and chronic fatigue, once not all carbohydrates are created equal and this will imply a subjective choice of carbohydrates low in the glycemic index.
Along with foods that are high in sugar, fat and cholesterol, some FMS patients also avoid others like tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant and pepper that could aggravate pain and increase inflammation.
To be avoided in theses cases are also chocolate, sodas, tobacco or peanuts. For peanuts, there’s the particularity that may cause acid reflux. In the same list we can adjudge spicy foods that very usually upset the stomach.
It is also important to retain that the portion of fats in a FMS patient diet should be composed by “good fats” like cold water fish, raw nuts, vegetable oils and avocados.
Variety and moderation are also two good “friends” at the table.
Always remember to drink water (around eight glasses per day) in order to flush toxins out of the body.
And how is it possible to forget effort and pain during food preparation?
Taking time to prepare a healthy meal could be very painful for people who suffer from FMS. For situations like this, support groups often recommend good advices like: a good posture when cooking; rest breaks during the meal preparation; purchase pre-sliced frozen organic vegetables and invest in some kitchen gadgets that can make preparation easier.
Technorati Tags: chronic fatigue, Diet, fatigue, fibromyalgia, fibromyalgia diet, FMS, food, health, pain management
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During 1970’s the researcher Hench noted that in this syndrome muscle and tendnous connective tissues are usually subjectively involved, and for the first time introduced the term Fibromyalgia. One decade later another researcher named Muhammad B. Yunus proposed the need of a unified classification system and a diagnostic criteria. Yunus later emphasized the “biopsychosocial perspective” of FMS which synthesized the contribution of genes, personal and medical history, stress, posttraumatic and mood disorders, coping skills, self- efficacy of pain management and social support towards the functioning and dysfunctioning of the central nervous system in relation to pain and fatigue.
The first controlled clinical study with validation of know symptoms and tender points was published in 1981 and the importance concept that FMS and other similar conditions are interconnected was proposed in 1984. Serotonergic / Norepinephric drugs were first show to be effective in 1986.
Finally in 1990 the American College of Rheumatology established firm criteria for the classification and diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. In that same year were developed the neurohormal mechanisms with central sensitization.
Unfortunately, FMS has also been called a “waste basket” diagnosis and a fad disease. In 1997 medical books, also those used in University, did not even recognized FMS. This is due with the health experts inability to see FMS as a medical related problem. Although, speculation in the ambit took also on a new expedition which led to research and ongoing studies about the syndrome. A better understanding is slow in coming and more and more medical schools are educating new doctors about fibromyalgia symptom.
The XXI century has brought new laboratory tests and brain-imaging technology that has being proven FMS as a real physical disorder caused by a malfunction of the central nervous system. And as more effective treatments could be in the near future, hopefully is expected that one day the history of fibromyalgia could be just and only… past history.
While there’s no treatment, recent research shows that a balanced healthy diet is paramount to successfully reduce the symptoms and a more specific fibromyalgia diet focuses on food which doesn’t aggravate the condition and also introduces best practices like getting quality sleep and generally offers improvement through a conscious healthy lifestyle. Sticking to a fibromyalgia diet will also make you aware of nutrients and how the substances within affect you.
Technorati Tags: cfs, chronic fatigue, fatigue, fatigue relief, fibro, fibromyalgia, fibromyalgia diet, fibrositis, pain, pain history, pain relief
