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By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine
It’s a tough disease to diagnosis – and some doctors don’t even think it’s real. I’m talking about fibromyalgia, an incredibly painful, debilitating condition that affects up to ten million Americans.
The exact cause of fibromyalgia isn't known, but those with a family member having the condition are more likely to develop it. Fibromyalgia can also be triggered by an infection, abnormalities of the sympathetic nervous system, chemical alterations in the brain, changes in muscle metabolism, hormonal shifts, psychological stress or an injury or trauma. Whatever the cause, for those with the condition, fibromyalgia is an "energy crisis" in the body that manifests itself with widespread pain, fatigue, sleeplessness, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness or tingling in the extremities, memory problems and depression. And since there isn’t a test or exam that proves the pain really exists, too many doctors dismiss fibromyalgia as purely psychological.
But now, people with fibromyalgia who have been told “it’s all in your head” by countless doctors have long-awaited vindication thanks to new research that offers overwhelming proof that the condition is indeed real.
In the Genes
Researchers from the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor reviewed studies involving pain, brain activity and the genetics of people suffering from the condition. They report a growing body of evidence pointing to real differences in the brains and genetic makeup of people with fibromyalgia.
The researchers cite several studies that report abnormalities in the central brain structures of people with fibromyalgia. In fact, several brain imaging studies show clear differences in the response to pain stimulation among people with and without fibromyalgia. Compared to people without the disorder, fibromyalgia patients experienced increased brain activity in response to pain.
And then there’s the genetic factor. Another study reveals variations in a gene involved in pain tolerance. This genetic variation creates differences in the way fibromyalgia patients react to pain. Researchers also found variations in the same gene can be linked to the future development of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, a condition related to fibromyalgia. Taken together, these findings led the Michigan team to the definitive conclusion that fibromyalgia is a real syndrome that should be taken very seriously.
Natural Relief
While this new study is extremely good news for fibromyalgia sufferes, there’s still no cure – and conventional treatment options are few. However, people do get well enough to lead full, balanced lives. The key is to find the right blend of alternative treatments which can include exercise, massage, adequate sleep and a healthy diet. Supplements can also play a big role in managing symptoms.
Topping the list is ginger. This natural anti-inflammatory can relieve muscle and joint pain, and may inhibit substance P – a pain mediator that's elevated in people with fibromyalgia. A study published in Medical Hypotheses found that taking 1,000 mg. of powdered ginger daily reduced muscle pain. Better yet, tripling the dose brought even faster, more pronounced relief. And since ginger is extremely safe, high doses don’t pose any serious problems. However, some people can experience heartburn. If you are one of them, reduce the amount to a dose that is both effective and comfortable.
Since people with fibromyalgia often have low serotonin levels, many find that taking 5-HTP helps ease depression, anxiety, insomnia, morning stiffness and musculoskeletal pain. A precursor to serotonin, 5-HTP is readily absorbed into the bloodstream and easily crosses the blood-brain barrier to boost serotonin levels. Most people find that taking 100 mg. three times a day effectively treats their fibromyalgia symptoms. Just make sure you don’t combine this serotonin booster with antidepressants and refrain from this remedy if you suffer from liver disease or scleroderma.
If, more often than not, fibromyalgia is negatively impacting your quality of life, try a combination of coenzyme Q10 to energize cells and ginkgo biloba to aid brain function and reduce inflammation. According to one study of patients with clinically diagnosed fibromyalgia, 64 percent reported an improvement in their quality of life after taking 200 mg. of coenzyme Q10 and 200 mg. of ginkgo biloba extract daily for 84 days.
One Last Thing . . .
Acupuncture may be useful for short-term relief of fibromyalgia symptoms. In one preliminary trial, acupuncture produced a significant decrease in pain and tenderness along with related biochemical changes measured in the fibromyalgia patients’ blood. Another double-blind trial compared fake acupuncture to electroacupuncture and reported significant differences in improvement in five of eight outcome measurements among people with fibromyalgia. If you want to try acupuncture, look for a licensed acupuncturist with experience in treating musculoskeletal pain. For more lasting pain relief, this ancient oriental treatment should be done on a regular basis – which may pose a problem since some insurance plans don’t cover acupuncture or only cover it on a limited basis. Even if you aren’t covered, treating yourself to an occasional acupuncture treatment can still offer some measure of temporary relief.
This Just In . . .
The holidays are a time of year when many of us find ourselves scrambling to get everything done – buying and wrapping the perfect gifts, decorating the tree, planning parties, baking and getting those Christmas cards in the mail before the new year. And, gee, wouldn’t it be great to duplicate that lovely centerpiece in Martha Stewart Living? Well, here’s a news flash: Martha has an entire staff to help her prepare for the holidays! As for the rest of us mere mortals, the chaos of Christmas can often give way to frayed nerves and weakened immune systems.
Keep yourself strong, productive and stress-free by eating properly, getting enough sleep and taking immune-boosting herbs like astragalus or echinacea. Physical activity is another great way to boost your energy, reduce stress and prevent those extra holiday pounds. Instead of heading straight for the TV after a big holiday meal, take a walk around the neighborhood to check out the festive lights. And don’t let the weather stop you – just grab an umbrella, a hat and a warm jacket and enjoy some fresh air and active time with family and friends.
Although things can get hectic this time of year, making good health a priority not only helps you survive, but thrive. And what better gift to give those you love than a truly healthy, happy holiday. Merry Christmas!
References:
Buskila D, Neumann L. “Genetics of fibromyalgia.” Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2005;9:313-315.
Harris RE, Clauw DJ. “How Do We Know That the Pain in Fibromyalgia Is "Real"?” Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2006;10:403-407.
Klineberg I, McGregor N, Butt H, et al. “Chronic orofacial muscle pain: a new approach to diagnosis and management.” Alpha Omegan. 1998;91:25-28.
Lister RE. “An open, pilot study to evaluate the potential benefits of coenzyme Q10 combined with Ginkgo biloba extract in fibromyalgia syndrome.” Journal of International Medical Research. 2002;30:195-199.
Sprott H, Franke S, Kluge H, Hein G. Pain treatment of fibromyalgia by acupuncture. Rheumatology International 1998;18:35–6.
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