Today I am writing about Fibromyalgia.

FIBROMYALGIA - What is it?

Fibromyalgia is a relatively common condition that affects about 4% of the population. Doctors have recently found, and believe, that Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS) are related, due to the fact that so many of their symptoms overlap. Approximately 70% of people diagnosed with Fibromyalgia meet all the diagnostic criteria of CFS. The only difference in diagnostic criteria is that Fibromyalgia has musculoskeletal pain whereby Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has fatigue.

Researchers believe that Fibromyalgia may be in response to stress, lack of sleep, an injury or infection, or another trauma or disease, and your muscles begin to ache. Pain might develop gradually and affect a wide area, or it may come on suddenly and sharply in specific areas. You might feel burning, stiffness, shooting pain, or an overall throbbing sensation. The soreness can center on the shoulders, the hip or upper thigh muscles, or the elbows and knees.

Perhaps fibromyalgia's most distinguished feature is that the aches are often accompanied by depression, anxiety, fatigue, or an inability to sleep. The sleep disturbtances are also known as non-restorative sleep - you may be able to drop off, but when you awaken you don't feel rested. In many cases, you may even feel more fatigued.

Although Fibromyalgia has many facets, the central cause of the pain of this ailment is a low level of serotonin. Chronic low levels of serotonin cause the sensation of pain to be greatly exaggerated. The primary treatment goals in fibromyalgia, in addition to those listed in my article on Chronic Fatigue Syn-drome, are to raise serotonin levels, improve sleep quality, and assure adequate magnesium levels.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia may worsen during periods of stress, over exertion, trauma, extreme temperature, infection, or emotional crisis. This disorder is not dangerous or life-threatening, but it can be very disruptive. Researchers theorize that lifestyle or dietary factors may play a role. But theories are all that are available so far; no one yet knows what causes this disease.

EATING TO EASE THE PAIN

Many holistic practitioners believe that diet plays a role in causing fibromyalgia, though they're not quite sure how or why. Here is what they recommend;

* Drink plenty of fluids, especially freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices, for their antioxidant content. Carrot juice is highly recommended because it's particularly packed with beta carotene.

* Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables

* Eat small meals throughout the day rather than larger infrequent ones.

* Keep your digestive system moving by eating high-fiber foods or taking a fiber supplement.

* Avoid red meats, shellfish, fatty foods, and acidic foods such as tomatoes and vinegar. Also avoid white potatoes, green peppers, and eggplant. Limit or completely avoid foods that are high in hydrogenated or saturated fats.

* Eliminate caffeine and alcohol and greatly reduce sugar consumption.

* Investigate your own food allergies. If you think certain foods may worsen your symptoms, try doing without them and take note of what happens.

SUPPLEMENTS FOR FIBROMYALGIA

The following supplements are designed to nourish muscle cells and enable them to use energy more efficiently through better oxygenation. They also control inflammation and promote more restful sleep.

* NADH - This compound helps control pain and muscle spasms. Typical dosage: 5 to 10mg each morning on an empty stomach; take with 6 to 8 ounces of water.

* Malic acid and magnesium - These two chemicals help muscles use glucose properly. Together, they may help reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. Typical dosage: 300mg of malic acid, and 200 to 300mg of magnesium, both 3x's a day.

* 5-HTP( 5-hydroxy-tryptophan) - Studies have found this compound helps decrease the pain and insomnia of fibromyalgia by increasing serotonin levels. Typical dosage: 50 to 300mg per day.

* SAM-e - This new compound is being hailed as a natural antidepressant. But clinical studies show that it can also reduce fibromyalgia pain and elevate mood. Because depression can occur with fibromyalgia, this supplement may be worth a try. Typical dosage: 200 to 1,600mg per day.

* Coenzyme Q10 - This enzyme helps boost oxygen supplies to muscle tissue, helping it to flush inflammatory chemicals more quickly. Typical dosage: 60 to 400mg per day.

HERBAL REMEDIES -

* Grapeseed Extract - From the seeds of wine grapes come powerful antioxidant and natural anti-inflammatory compounds called "procyanidins" . They've been used to treat everything from varicose veins to poor night vision. For people with Fibromyalgia, these compounds help to inhibit the inflammatory response, the chemical reactions responsible for pain and soreness. Typical dosage: 50 to 300mg of oligomeric procyanidins (OPC's) per day. You may want to start with a higher dose to saturate cells and then taper down to a lower dose.

* Devil's Claw - The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of this herb make it a favorite for fibromyalgia. It also boosts digestion, helping your body absorb nutrients better, which improves overall health. Typical dosage: 200 to 800mg per day of a root extract containing 1.5% harpagoside content. ******CAUTION****** Do not use Devil's Claw if you have gastric or duodenal ulcers, or if you're pregnant or nursing. If you have heart disease, use the herb only under a doctor's supervision.

* White Willow Bark - This bark has been used for over a thousand years to  relieve pain. Salicin, aspirin's forerunner, is white willow's active constituent. Apart from it's ability to ease pain, salicin reduces inflammation, but unlike aspirin, it will not thin the blood or irritate the stomach. Typical dosage: up to six 400mg capsules per day; or 3 cups of tea per day (steep 1/2 to 1 tsp of powdered bark in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes); or follow the manufacturer's recommendation.

* Ginkgo - This medicinal herb brings more oxygen to muscle cells when they're under stress. Ginkgo is also a powerful antioxidant. Typical dosage: 60 to 180mg per day of product standardized to 24% flavone glycosides.

* St.-John's-Wort - This herb is famous for easing mild to moderate depression, it can also help to treat sleep disorders. It is especially good at promoting longer periods of deep sleep, which is exactly what people with Fibromyalgia need most. Typical dosage: up to 900mg of an extract containing 0.3% hypericin per day, in divided doses.*****CAUTION***** If you are already taking other anti-depressants, consult your doctor before beginning to take St.-John's-Wort. May cause increased skin reactions to sun exposure.

Written By: Marilyn L. Ali

I hope that this article gives those that are suffering from this ailment some ideas and things to try to help you feel better.

If you have a disease or ailment that you would like to know more about, or you want to learn about some natural alternatives to medicine, please let me know! I would be more than happy to write up an article on the topic and share some alternative methods with you.

Either send me a message to my message box here, or leave it in your reply here for me.

Take care, and here's to good health to all!

God Bless,

Marilyn