Fibromyalgia: Signs, Symptoms and Home Remedies

FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is a painful condition often associated with illness or injury. It mainly affects the muscles. The affected muscles become sore and tender to the touch. Exposure to damp and cold are frequent causes, but any injury to joints or muscles may bring in this condition. It begins suddenly, and the pain usually feels worse when the muscles are used.

People with this condition cannot sleep at night due to pain. Their muscles begin to ache at night and their sleep is disturbed on account of pain.

Normally, when people sleep, they enter the stage-four sleep, which produces deep relaxation, and their muscles naturally turn off. But people with fibromyalgia don't enter stage-four sleep. As a result, their muscles don't rest properly and they ache.

Most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are pain, tenderness of the muscles, extreme fatigue and general weakness.

HOME REMEDIES FOR FIBROMYALGIA

• Bog bean works as an anti-inflammatory, eating this herb or taking the herb in a supplement form can help in combating pain. 
• Ginger is also known for its properties in fighting joint pain and stiffness.
•  Take two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water twice daily. It is highly effective for the treatment of pain. This is one of the best home remedies for fibromyalgia. 
• Half teaspoon of turmeric powder taken with warm water twice a day is also beneficial in curing Fibromyalgia 
• Drinking alfalfa tea twice daily is also helpful for the treatment of joint pains.
• Radish juice mixed with sugar is also helpful to fight with muscle pains.
•  Drinking 15 grams of fresh bathu juice daily with an empty stomach without adding any salt or sugar to it helps in reducing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. 
• A cup of papaya seed tea taken six or seven times daily for two or three weeks gives relief in the joint pains. 
• Eat porridge of 2 teaspoonfuls of winter cherry with ghee and molasses with an empty stomach for 15 days. This is very effective home remedy for Fibromyalgia. 
• A tablespoon of fruit pectin in a small glass of cranberry juice taken every morning gives relief. A person suffering from pain should eliminate sugar, white flour, macaroni, pie, cake, and sweet drinks from diet. 
• For fibromyalgia treatment, drink consisting of four raw finely sliced beets soaked in a quart of berry wine for one day. Drink one small glass of this liquid before meals, three times a day. 
• Dissolve 4 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses in one quart of cranberry juice and drink one glass everyday. This is also very effective home remedy for Fibromyalgia. 
• Two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene makes a wonderful solution to be applied on the affected muscles. 
• For fibromyalgia treatment, add one-tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, and drink before going to bed. 
• Rubbing the aching joints with hot vinegar before going to bed also gives relief to the pain. 
• Mix 2 tablespoons mullein, 3 of granulated slippery elm bark, one of lobelia, 1-teaspoon cayenne. Use boiling water to make paste. Spread on cloth and place on swollen joints. This is one of the useful home remedies for fibromyalgia. 
• Bake one or two egg- plants. Mash and fry in about 2 tablespoons of castor oil. Spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic and salt can be added while frying. Take once daily for two to three months for relief. 
• Another herb known as Guggulu is very helpful in curing muscle pains. If available, eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water. ·Paste of 1 teaspoon red chilies and fresh ginger mixed in half a cup of sesame oil and strain. Gently rub this oil on the affected muscles. Camphor, wintergreen and cinnamon oils are also beneficial for external application. 
• A vegetable-juice fast significantly reduces pain for many patients with fibromyalgia. Carrot juice, celery juice, cabbage juice, or tomato juice can be used Application of hot packs and ice packs for 10 minutes also provides relief from joint pains. 
• A combination of burdock, slippery elm, sheep sorrel and Turkish rhubarb was shown good results in improving fibromyalgia.
•  Soak Spiegel seeds in water, make a paste and apply it on the joints for quick relief from pain. 
• Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation of joints. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in salmon, sardines, other oily fish, walnuts, flax, soy, olive oil, nuts, and avocados. 
• Pine-bark and grape-seed extracts are natural anti-inflammatory that help to ease pain Topical applications of cayenne (capsicum) powder mixed with wintergreen oil can help relieve muscle pain.
•  Dandelion reduces frequency and intensity of pain and strengthens the connective tissue. Take 1 tbsp. Juice or 1-cup tea twice daily for four to six weeks. This is one of the best home remedies for fibromyalgia.
•  Willow bark has anti-inflammatory properties and works as a painkiller.  

FIBROMYALGIA :

 A Description

The word fibromyalgia comes from three Latin words, fibro ("fibrous tissue"), my ("muscle tissue"), and algia ("pain"). It is a chronic condition characterized by musculoskeletal pain and many tender points, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. It is called a syndrome rather than a disease, because not everyone's symptomsare the same. 

Fibromyalgia afflicts between three and six million Americans, women more often than men. It often occurs in more than one member of a family, which suggests it may be an inherited disorder. Other possible causes include a virus or an injury that affects the central nervous system. Symptoms may be triggered or exacerbated by stress, anxiety, depression, poor sleep habits, or a change in the weather. For many years, fibromyalgia was thought to be a psychosomatic disorder because no one could find a definitive cause of the pain.

Signs and Symptoms

•  Chronic, widespread pain that lasts three months or more, with no clear cause, combined with tenderness in at least 11 of 18 well-defined tender point sites on the body
•  Pains, aches, and stiffness in several muscle groups, joints, and in all four quadrants of the body
•  Pain that moves from one part of the body to another, most commonly felt in the neck, chest, arms, legs, hips, and back
•  Pain that may be variously characterized as deep aching, radiating, gnawing, shooting, or burning
•  Body aches and stiffness upon awakening
•  Headaches and jaw pain
•  Disturbed sleep patterns
•  Fatigue
•  Anxiety
•  Depression
•  Digestive system difficulties, as in swallowing, alternating diarrhea and constipation, or recurring abdominal pain
•  Numbness or tingling in parts of the body
•  Increased sensitivity to bright lights, noise, odors, and various foods
•  Alternating feelings of hot and cold

Conventional Medical Treatment

Diagnosis is frustrating, because fibromyalgia mimics the symptoms of other diseases, such as Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, or low-back degenerative disease. Diagnosis usually comes after these and other conditions have been investigated and dismissed. There is no known way to prevent fibromyalgia, and the symptoms can come and go, often lasting for months or years. However, the disorder leaves no permanent damage, and in most cases it eventually does subside.

A doctor may prescribe a combination of muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant drugs. The antidepressants amitriptyline (Elavil) or cyclbenzaprine hydrochloride (Flexeril) are beneficial in relieving some symptoms, but can have side effects, including weight gain, urinary retention, and morning grogginess. Other muscle relaxers and antidepressants are occasionally prescribed.

The treatment for fibromyalgia also includes a combination of healthy diet, exercise, and rest. Stationary biking, low-impact aerobics, swimming, and walking may help alleviate symptoms; slowly work up to 60 minutes of exercise 3 or 4 times per week. Warm up and cool down the muscles gradually before and after exercise, and avoid exercises that can cause joint pain. Proper sleep is also important. Experts recommend eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables because these foods provide trace elements and minerals that help muscles. High-fiber foods help the digestive system perform its functions. Massage and physical therapy (with heat) may bring some short-term relief.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

Nutrition and Supplementation   

When it comes to fibromyalgia, it seems more important to avoid certain food than to include particular foods in your diet. Eliminate meat, dairy products, and all other foods high in saturated fats; these fats interfere with circulation and increase pain. Likewisee avoid fried and processed foods, shellfish, whith bread, and pasta. Eliminate sugar products from your diet, as sugar in any form disturbs sleep and promotes fatigue. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as well. If you have been consuming these foods on a regular basis, you will go through a short with-drawal period where your symptoms may worsen once you eliminate them from your menu. Before long, however, you will notice improvement.

Center your diet around raw foods and fresh juices. Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, skinless turkey or chicken, and deep-water fish. These foods provide nutrients that help energize and build immunity. It is important to flush out toxins, so drink steam distilled water and herbal teas. Eat four or five small meals daily so your body is supplied with a steady intake of proteins and carbohydrates necessary for muscle function.

Malabsorption problems are common in fibromyalgia, so all nutrients are needed in amounts greater than normal. A daily plan would include:

Most Important

•  Coenzyme (75 mg)-improves oxygenation of tissues
•  Lecithin (as directed on label)-energizes and improves circulation
•  Malic acid and magnesium (as directed on label)-assist in energy production in many cells
•  Proteolytic enzymes (as directed on label, 6 times daily)-improves the absorption of foods, especially protein
•  Vitamin A (25,000 IU for 1 month, reduce to 10,000 IU; not to exceed 8000 IU if you are pregnant)-protects the body's cells; use the emulsion form
•  Vitamin E (800 IU for 1 month, then reduce to 400 IU)-enhances immune function; use the emulsion form
•  Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (5000 to 10,000 mg)-energizes; use buffered form
•  A prodophilus formula (as directed on label)-supports intestinal function

Also Recommended

•  Vitamin B complex (as prescribed by a doctor)-energizes and increases normal brain function; injections are best
•  Free-form amino acid complex (as directed on label)-supplies protein necessary for repair and building of muscle tissue
•  Magnesium glycinate (1000 mg)-a deficiency is common in people with fibromyalgia
•  Calcium citrate or calcium lactate (2000 mg)-balances with magnesium
•  Potassium (99 mg)-aids in muscle function
•  Selenium (200 mcg) -an antioxidant
•  Zinc (50 mg, not to exceed 100 mg total from all supplements)-helps the immune system function properly
•  Melatonin (as directed on label, 2 hours or less before bedtime)-promotes sleep
•  Vanadyl sulfate (as directed on label)-protects muscles and reduces fatigue
•  L-glutamine (2 g)-supports immune system functioning.
•  Live cell therapy supplement (as directed on label) (thymus, adrenal, liver, and pancreas)-Supports glandular functions Consult your healthcare provider regarding the duration of treatment.)

Herbal Therapy

•  Since fibromyalgia presents a variety of stressing, even incapacitating, symptoms and discomforts, more than one herb is necessary for relief. try a combination of the following herbal remedies:
•  To boost blood circulation, alertness, and the immune system, use astragalus, echinacea, and ginkgo. You might also try these teas: burdock root, dandelion, and red clover. To make the teas, steep 1 to 3 teaspoons dried herb or root in 1 cup boiling water for 5 to 15 minutes; strain. Drink several cups daily. You also can brew a blend of the herbs.
•  For relief from muscular pain, use a topical application of 1 part cayenne powder and 3 parts wintergreen oil. You also can try cayenne (in capsule form) and flaxseed oil (as directed on the label, three times daily).
•  Sip skullcap or valerian root tea to improve sleep. To make the skullcap tea, steep 2 teaspoons dried leaves in 1 cup boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes; strain. To prepare the valerian tea, steep 2 teaspoons dried, chopped root in 1 cup boiling water for 8 to 12 hours; strain. Both skullcap and valerian are available in tincture form. Be aware that these herbs can cause drowsiness and should not be used to excess.
•  Grape seed extract helps to protect muscles from free radical damage. Use as directed on the product label.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture  

Most of the symptoms and side effects associated with fibromyalgia can be treated with acupuncture. The acupoints to be manipulated will, of course, depend entirely on the symptoms presented by the individual.

Chinese Herbal Therapy 

There are numerous Chinese herbs that can be used to treat fibromyalgia-related symptoms. Consult the entry for each specific ailment ("Headache," "PMS," etc.) for detailed information or recommended herbs.

 Formulas often used for fibromyalgia muscle pain are Corydalis Formula, Ginseng and Tang Gui Ten, Ginseng and Atractylodes, Peony and Licorice, and Tian Qi and Eucommia.

  

Reference:

Eating Well for Optimum Health by Andrew Weil.

Clifford R. Anderson, M.D. : Your Guide To Health. Second edition.

The best alternative medicine: what works? What does not? Kenneth R. Pelletier. Simon & Schuster Fireside.

Green pharmacy herbal handbook: Your comprehensive reference to the best herbs for healing. James Duke. Rodale, 2000.