Writing With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (also known as CFS and CFIDS) is a debilitating illness. I should know I have it.

More than four million people in the United States suffer with it. It destroys once healthy individuals, ends careers, and splits up families. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that more people suffer from CFIDS than MS, lung cancer and AIDS altogether. Yet it is an often an unrecognized illness by people and doctors. Here are the criteria for this devastating illness:

1. Incapacitating fatigue for over six months without feeling refreshed after sleep and with no other discernable reason

2. Issues with concentration and short-term memory

3. Flu-type symptoms such as achiness, tender lymph nodes, sore throat and headache

4. Continued fatigue and worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion which requires recovery time

These are the main diagnostic criteria; however there are a multitude of other additional complicating symptoms. These vary from person to person and fluctuate per person. It is an illness that does not discriminate. It's a complicated illness to diagnosis and treat but also to live with. If you get treated quickly, your chance of recovering is greater. By treatment I mean, dealing with the symptoms of the illness. There are no known cures.

Early diagnosis is a quandary for both patient and doctor, especially for those not aware of the illnesses existence in order to question their doctor about it. Another reason is because doctors are still not educated about it. Also there is no diagnostic test available and a gamut of other syndromes and diseases must first be excluded in order to arrive at a CFIDS diagnosis. This takes a great deal of time.

My onset of symptoms began when I was in my early twenties going to college. I went to multiple doctors in various areas of expertise. They all said I was overweight and overworked. The severity continued to increase until I later lost my job and ended up in a hospital emergency room with an enlarged liver and spleen and a diagnosis of mononucleosis and Epstein-Barr virus.

A combination of viruses, not necessarily including Epstein-Barr, is being studied as a culprit for this illness. Unfortunately because of the name and not having a specific diagnostic test, funding is not as supported as with other auto-immune diseases like MS or AIDS.

I was forced by this illness to give up a successful career as a computer programmer/analyst and became totally bed-ridden for a period of time. Over the years I have mourned the loss of who I once was, but I have learned to adapt the best I can. Although I always had a love for writing, I began writing from bed when all I could do was move my hand across a sheet of paper. I started with short stories and magazine articles and worked my way up to a fiction novel.

My favorite stories have always been romantic suspense, so I decided on it to write. Writing has proven challenging but also rewarding. I can work at home and at my own pace so as not to bring on a flare-up of symptoms. I am unable to meet writing deadlines or do book tours, but I have found a good publisher who works well with me.

As a writer, here are some of the challenges I face:

- Cognitive issues. Have you ever experienced not remembering a word or forgetting how to spell it? I just did that with the words gamut, vary and existence. This is frustrating when I graduated with honors and a 3.98 grade point average. A few hours later, the word might just roll off my tongue.

- Short-term memory issues. The inability to retain information is a big issue. I hear valuable information that pertains to my book but I can't remember it long enough to write it down. After finishing my second book, the book cover artist called me and asked me specific questions about my characters and facts in the book. I had to read my book and call him back.

- Repetitive issues. Fatigue and brain fog causes me to repetitively type the same word without knowing it. Also, I substitute one word for another.

- Physical symptoms. Lying, sitting or standing for any length of time is hard. I must take frequent breaks when typing. If I work too long, it can send me into a relapse and I will be bedridden for days or even weeks.

- Sensitivity issues. Light from the computer screen can be painful. Headaches, eye pain, and dry eyes are common problems and are aggravated by continual computer use.

- Lowered immune function. Because my immune system is in a weakened state, I tend to catch the majority of bugs going around. This can further aggravate my symptoms, and it might be months before I can write again.

There are a host of other mental and physical symptoms associated with this disabling illness, but for me these are the biggest challenges I face as a writer. Writing gives me the chance to escape my ravaged body and mind and live pain-free through my characters.

Laura Hillenbrand who wrote Seabiscuit is another author who suffers from CFIDS. She has been an inspiration to me and many people fighting this debilitating illness. I hope to be an inspiration to other challenged writers and those suffering with this illness.

Fibromyalgia - Pain That Does Not Go Away

Widespread pain all over the body for more than three months

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a clinically recognisable condition, which is characterised by chronic musculoskeletal pain and tender points at multiple sites. The condition causes significant disability and it has been reported that it is prevalent in 2% of the population in the USA and Canada. NHS Direct states that it affects 4% of the population in the UK and 14700 new cases manifest each year.

The American College of Rheumatology has identified eighteen test sites (tender points), of which 11 must be painful on digital palpation with a pressure of 4kg to give a positive diagnostic of fibromyalgia. Moreover, pain must have been present for at least three months.

Because no objective marker (such as evidence on X-Ray, blood test or muscle biopsies) has yet been discovered for fibromyalgia, diagnosis is based only on the aforementioned symptoms. It appears therefore that musculoskeletal pain experienced in widespread locations is the predominant characteristic of fibromyalgia.

The tender points below are the cardinal feature of fibromyalgia:

• Occiput: bilateral, at the suboccipital muscle insertion


• Low cervical: bilateral, at the anterior aspects of the intertransverse spaces at C5-C7


• Trapezius: bilateral, at the midpoint of the upper border


• Supraspinatus: bilateral, at the midpoint of the upper border


• Second rib: bilateral, at the second costochondral junctions, just lateral to the junctions on upper surfaces


• Lateral epicondyle: bilateral, two centimetres distal to the epicondyles


• Gluteal: bilateral, in upper outer quadrants of buttocks in anterior fold of muscle


• Greater trochanter: bilateral, posterior to the trochanteric prominence


• Knee: bilateral, at the medial fat pad proximal to the joint line

Beside chronic musculoskeletal pain, patients also experience

• Stiffness


• 'Hurt all over' (note: this expression is used by Yunus and Inanici)


• Swollen feeling in soft tissues

Non musculoskeletal symptoms

• Tiredness most time of the day


• Poor sleep


• Paraesthesia (a sensation of tingling)

Fibromyalgia is however an enigma for rheumatology. Although it 'hurts so much', there is no progressive degeneration, deterioration or inflammation.

Women are more affected

It appears that nine out of ten of people suffering from fibromyalgia are women. In addition, fibromyalgia most commonly occurs in the 40 to 60 age group although it can manifest at any age.

History

Historic writings suggest that what is now called fibromyalgia has been experienced for centuries by human beings. Guillaume de Baillou (1538-1616) grouped what is now known as fibromyalgia with other "myofascial trigger point syndromes" under the name of muscular rheumatism. The English neurologist Sir William R. Gowers coined the term fibrositis in 1904 to encapsulate the symptoms of fibromyalgia. It was thought at the time that the pain was caused by inflammation of the fibrous tissues.

Smythe & Modofsky drew attention to FMS in 1977 but called it fibrositis syndrome. The term fibrositis implying inflammation (itis) of fibrous (fibros) tissues was abandoned in 1981 and re-named fibromyalgia. This is the official name of the disease in the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2006).

Martinez-Lavin suggests that the illness which plagued the life of the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is likely to have been posttraumatic fibromyalgia.

Treatment using western medicine

Goldenberg refers to FMS as "pain that won't go away" and prognosis does not seem optimistic. Wallace reported that only 2% of patients are cured after treatment. As the causes are not known, treatment concentrates on symptoms.

Kumar & Clark implies that the use of low doses of sedative antidepressant drugs such as amitriptyline or dosulepine to increase the level of serotonin could be useful. Research suggests that fluoxetine (Prozac), an antidepressant, is effective for managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. It has been noted that most patients with fibromyalgia also suffer from non-restorative sleep and feel tired even after a long night's sleep. Goldenberg suggests that tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline would be effective in helping people suffering from fibromyalgia because they help restore stage 4 sleep (deep sleep without dream). This is confirmed by Ozerbil who reports that they can also help patients suffering with fibromyalgia. However, side effects of amitriptyline include weight gain, which may be undesirable. Clark asserts that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also used by 91% of patients with FMS even though they did not work. NHS Direct in the UK also disapproves the use of NSAIDs in the treatment of fibromyalgia unless there is evidence of inflammation. Clark concludes that medications for fibromyalgia are for the most part ineffective because most of them do not provide more benefits than a placebo after six months.

Other treatments

The American Council of Rheumatology suggests that therapeutic massage and myofascial release could be useful for patients with FMS although they acknowledge that these treatments have not yet been well tested. Acupuncture is suggested by NHS Direct in the UK along with massage, aromatherapy, chiropractic and osteopathy as modalities used by patients to ease fatigue and pain resulting from FMS. The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is common with patients affected with fibromyalgia because there is no cure available. It appears that more than 90% of patients with fibromyalgia have tried complementary techniques such as dietary techniques and herbal supplements. The efficiency of "Rhus Tox", a homeopathic remedy, in controlling some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is demonstrated by Bell et al. (2004).

Among these alternative and complementary therapies suggested for the management of fibromyalgia, acupuncture will be the next topic to explore and the question will be, can acupuncture help in the management of fibromyalgia.

Neurofeedback Therapy For Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are notorious for destroying lives, but not in the way that some might think. True, the symptoms alone can push even the strongest person to the brink of despair, but what many sufferers find to be the most difficult part to deal with is the doubt and skepticism, even by their healthcare providers, that anything is wrong.

If you have fibromyalgia, you well know the agony of waking up each day with your muscles painfully tight and knotted after yet another night of never having dipped into the stages of sleep where healing takes place.

Chronic fatigue sufferers don't fare much better, often waking up too exhausted to even consider doing anything other than what is absolutely essential for survival, only to have a doctor say it's all in your head.

The muscular pain of fibromyalgia is often so severe that only powerful drugs like vicodin and morphine can bring any relief. The sad paradox is that the dosage required to reduce your pain to a level where you can function normally and remain employed can render you just as unfit for everyday tasks like driving or operating equipment at work.

Neurofeedback, on the other hand, has been a godsend for many with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. In one recent study, seven out of every ten people who were treated with neurofeedback in conjunction with EMG and myofascial/cranioscral therapy experienced total remission of their symptoms.

Many patients who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue have a history of some kind of head injury. When the brain has been injured, one of the many challenges that will often surface is that of transitioning smoothly from one brain wave frequency to the next.

A brain that is "stuck" in a frequency associated with fear and stress, for example, will eventually exhaust an otherwise healthy body to the point of being susceptible to a whole host of other problems. Both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue can spiral downward, seemingly out of control without the proper treatment and intervention.

Neurofeedback therapy can end this spiral by training your brain to function differently.

How Does Neurofeedback Therapy Work?

While you relax, your therapist will attach very thin leads that transmit electrical energy from your brain into an EEG device. A special gel is used to comfortably hold the leads in place. You will then use brain waves to alter what is happening to a visual display on a computer screen. You will use your brain waves to play a "Pac-Man" game, for example, or to play a DVD. Your brain perceives these activities as a reward, and with this positive reinforcement, will increasingly choose to use the desired waves, until eventually the changes in brain function become permanent. Neurofeedback treatment is noninvasive, comfortable, and considered by many patients to be quite relaxing.

Hope may be on the horizon for sufferers of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, because neurofeedback therapy appears to be more promising than many other treatments currently available for these conditions.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - You Can Beat It!

Ever felt too tired to get out of bed in the morning, can't be bothered doing anything at all? Indeed chronic fatigue has been called 'the plague of modern civilization'. Well I guess all of us have had that experience at sometime in our lives but Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers endure that and a great deal worse every day. The good news is that you can beat it!

You see it's not just an occasional bout of tiredness that they experience, no it can be full blown exhaustion, a complete inability to make one's muscles work for you. I should know, I had it seriously! In the Eighties I was so ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that I couldn't do such simple things as sit up or stand, walk to the bathroom, lift a mug of tea to my lips or pull a blanket closer around myself without assistance. Fortunately I had a very loving husband and mother who cared for my needs as well as our three children but it was no mean feat for Paul who worked full-time to cope with this family situation. I had been unwell for many years but nothing prepared me for the pain and stress of the above experience. At one point I was so ill that for several weeks I could barely breathe, it was impossible to inhale a lung full of air while lying on my back as my muscles were so weak. The only way was to lie on my side and just wait endless hours, and days in the hope that one day I would get better.

For months we searched for a cure for this Chronic Fatigue but none was to be found. One sympathetic doctor kindly jabbed my thigh with a Vitamin B12 injection every week in the hope that my immune system would beat this big bad ogre but all that it succeeded in doing was giving me a very painful leg in addition to the already painful joints and muscles that I suffered. Eventually I was hospitalized for about 10 days and given intravenous Vitamin C drips every day, and eventually in time I was able to sit up and walk slowly unaided. Little did I realize then that there was an easier way to take in this wonder of all Vitamins. Soon after this a friend who herself had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, had been advised by her doctor that it was possible to beat Chronic Fatigue by following Leslie Kenton's raw food and juice diet, explained in her book, 'Raw Energy'. Well I felt I had nothing to lose, life just couldn't be much worse could it?

To put the whole thing in a nutshell Leslie Kenton explains that a diet high in raw foods and fresh vegetable and fruit juices puts the entire body through a very thorough spring cleaning. Within a short space of time wastes and toxins are eliminated while at the same time the sodium/potassium and acid/alkaline balance are restored. Raw foods and fresh juices supply and restore the level of nutrients that are so essential for optimal cell function. Added to that the efficiency with which cells take up oxygen increases, thereby releasing the energy that is needed for optimum health. In short raw vegetables and fruits are simply powerhouses of energy.

From time to time cleansing the body with fresh fruit and vegetable juices do all the excellent things that solid raw foods do but in a way that relieves the digestive system of much work. Fresh juices speed up the body's ability to destroy dead, diseased or damaged cells and feeds the body with concentrated nutrients that renew the body's flagging immune system.

I found that to be so true. The results were nothing short of miraculous!! Within weeks my body was responding to the high raw food and fresh juice way of life. Slowly but surely my body shed those eternal aches and pains, that incessant exhaustion and gradually that feeling of hopelessness was replaced with a longing to enjoy the good things in life once again. Oh! How good it was!! Just being able to do those little things in life that most of us take for granted each day were a real milestone for me and brought such great pleasure to be able to accomplish them. As time went by my health improved to such an extent that I was able to function normally as a wife and mother, running my home and family successfully without the help of others, even homeschooling our three children. Today I run a successful business from home, enjoy a wonderful social life, love regularly visiting my 3 grown up children and 2 grandchildren who all live about 2 hours drive away. Proof that the raw food and fresh vegetable and fruit juice way of life really works and that you can beat Chronic Fatigue successfully. Adopting the high raw food way of life has been worth all the effort. I highly recommend it to anyone suffering exhaustion or a lack of energy whether it be due to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or any other reason.

What Are the Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis?

Interstitial cystitis, or IC, is a chronic pelvic pain syndrome originating in the bladder. Other names for IC include painful bladder syndrome (PBS), bladder pain syndrome (BPS, used primarily in Europe), and hypersensitive bladder syndrome (HBS, used primarily in Asia). Men may also be diagnosed with chronic prostatitis (CP), which shares similar symptom characteristics with IC.

Patients with IC experience urinary pain, frequency, urgency, and nighttime urination that cannot be attributed to other causes. Although symptoms of interstitial cystitis can be confused with a urinary tract infection, urine from an IC patient does not show any bacteria when cultured. Sometimes I describe IC to people as the difference between a cold and allergies. A person may sneeze with both, but a cold is caused by a germ and allergies are not.

Patients with IC have a damaged bladder lining. Both the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) layer (the protective mucous coating on the surface of the bladder), and the urothelial layer (the skin-like barrier that transmits the messages of pain and urgency to the brain) can be damaged in a bladder causing IC symptoms.

Glomerulations, or petechial hemorrhages, are often observed when a patient undergoes a cystoscopy under anesthesia, however, there is some concern that this damage could actually be caused by the procedure itself. Mastocytosis (almost like having hives in the bladder) is also a common finding. About seven to nine percent of patients actually have ulcerations in the bladder lining.

For diagnostic purposes, IC pain generally worsens as the bladder fills with urine and is relieved upon emptying the bladder. The pain may or may not be perceived as coming from the bladder. Many patients report that their pain is urethral, with varying degrees of pelvic pain. Other patients report back pain, shooting pain down the legs, and pain that is positional-for example, sitting in one place too long can trigger symptoms. In addition, both men and women report pain with intercourse. Men with IC often experience penile pain at the moment of ejaculation, whereas women might experience pelvic pain up to 24 hours after intercourse. Women's symptoms may also increase premenstrually and at ovulation. IC pain can be visceral, which means that the pain signals travel to the same area of the brain where emotions are generated, so IC patients may appear to be highly emotional. In addition, IC pain can be neuropathic. Simply put, the person is in pain for so long that the nerves become damaged and begin to send more intense pain signals over time.

The other two cardinal symptoms are frequent urination and an unexpected urge to get to the bathroom immediately. Patients have reported having to use the bathroom up to 60 times a day. Sleep disruption from these symptoms is often a major cause of distress for patients.

Although it is valuable to know those clinical descriptions of the disease, no definition of IC is complete without the vivid descriptions IC patients use to explain how they feel. Often patients will describe the pain as if they have "razor blades or battery acid" in their bladders. Patients may be frustrated about the fact that they are fine one moment and doubled over in excruciating pain the next. Or, they will express defeat and resignation saying, "I may as well put a mattress in the bathroom; I go so often at night."

IC patients often have other coexisting conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, vulvodynia, and various allergies, all suggesting a connection with the immune system may be involved in some way. Patients may also experience a variety of mood or mental health disorders related to their disease. People living with chronic pain often experience a tremendous amount of stress, suffering emotionally as well as physically. Their social lives may be disrupted because of their symptoms, and their intimate relations strained. The disability of many with IC is very real; nearly half of all IC patients in 1987 could not hold full-time jobs. Relationships can be strained, and many patients become depressed. Suicidal thoughts are not uncommon, and frequently enough, patients act on those thoughts.cystitis, or IC, is a chronic pelvic pain syndrome originating in the bladder. Other names for IC include painful bladder syndrome (PBS), bladder pain syndrome (BPS, used primarily in Europe), and hypersensitive bladder syndrome (HBS, used primarily in Asia). Men may also be diagnosed with chronic prostatitis (CP), which shares similar symptom characteristics with IC.

Patients with IC experience urinary pain, frequency, urgency, and nighttime urination that cannot be attributed to other causes. Although symptoms of interstitial cystitis can be confused with a urinary tract infection, urine from an IC patient does not show any bacteria when cultured. Sometimes I describe IC to people as the difference between a cold and allergies. A person may sneeze with both, but a cold is caused by a germ and allergies are not.

Patients with IC have a damaged bladder lining. Both the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) layer (the protective mucous coating on the surface of the bladder), and the urothelial layer (the skin-like barrier that transmits the messages of pain and urgency to the brain) can be damaged in a bladder causing IC symptoms.

Glomerulations, or petechial hemorrhages, are often observed when a patient undergoes a cystoscopy under anesthesia, however, there is some concern that this damage could actually be caused by the procedure itself. Mastocytosis (almost like having hives in the bladder) is also a common finding. About seven to nine percent of patients actually have ulcerations in the bladder lining.

For diagnostic purposes, IC pain generally worsens as the bladder fills with urine and is relieved upon emptying the bladder. The pain may or may not be perceived as coming from the bladder. Many patients report that their pain is urethral, with varying degrees of pelvic pain. Other patients report back pain, shooting pain down the legs, and pain that is positional-for example, sitting in one place too long can trigger symptoms. In addition, both men and women report pain with intercourse. Men with IC often experience penile pain at the moment of ejaculation, whereas women might experience pelvic pain up to 24 hours after intercourse. Women's symptoms may also increase premenstrually and at ovulation. IC pain can be visceral, which means that the pain signals travel to the same area of the brain where emotions are generated, so IC patients may appear to be highly emotional. In addition, IC pain can be neuropathic. Simply put, the person is in pain for so long that the nerves become damaged and begin to send more intense pain signals over time.

The other two cardinal symptoms are frequent urination and an unexpected urge to get to the bathroom immediately. Patients have reported having to use the bathroom up to 60 times a day. Sleep disruption from these symptoms is often a major cause of distress for patients.

Although it is valuable to know those clinical descriptions of the disease, no definition of IC is complete without the vivid descriptions IC patients use to explain how they feel. Often patients will describe the pain as if they have "razor blades or battery acid" in their bladders. Patients may be frustrated about the fact that they are fine one moment and doubled over in excruciating pain the next. Or, they will express defeat and resignation saying, "I may as well put a mattress in the bathroom; I go so often at night."

IC patients often have other coexisting conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, vulvodynia, and various allergies, all suggesting a connection with the immune system may be involved in some way. Patients may also experience a variety of mood or mental health disorders related to their disease. People living with chronic pain often experience a tremendous amount of stress, suffering emotionally as well as physically. Their social lives may be disrupted because of their symptoms, and their intimate relations strained. The disability of many with IC is very real; nearly half of all IC patients in 1987 could not hold full-time jobs. Relationships can be strained, and many patients become depressed. Suicidal thoughts are not uncommon, and frequently enough, patients act on those thoughts.

The good news is that a well-designed and individualized treatment plan can moderate symptoms for most IC patients. Oral medications, intravesical instillations (medications put into the bladder via a catheter), physical therapy, and a variety of self-help methods are the most common treatments. One of the most conservative treatments, dietary modification, is helpful for over 90% of IC patients-a claim that no other treatment can make to date. In fact, many patients can regain an acceptable quality of life by simply eliminating the most abrasive foods-coffee, tea, chocolate, alcohol, citrus fruits and juices, chili spices, tomato products, and soy products. The most important thing to remember is that there is always hope for healing, and many patients find a way to coexist with their fragile bladders, living normal, active lives.

The good news is that a well-designed and individualized treatment plan can moderate symptoms for most IC patients. Oral medications, intravesical instillations (medications put into the bladder via a catheter), physical therapy, and a variety of self-help methods are the most common treatments. One of the most conservative treatments, dietary modification, is helpful for over 90% of IC patients-a claim that no other treatment can make to date. In fact, many patients can regain an acceptable quality of life by simply eliminating the most abrasive foods-coffee, tea, chocolate, alcohol, citrus fruits and juices, chili spices, tomato products, and soy products. The most important thing to remember is that there is always hope for healing, and many patients find a way to coexist with their fragile bladders, living normal, active lives.

Understanding the Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome - Fibromyalgia and Back Pain Part I

Neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, also referred as the back pain complex, have many causes. One the principle, least understood causes of back pain, and there are myriad causes, is commonly referred to as the musculoskeletal pain syndrome. Musculoskeletal pain syndrome is expressed in one of two forms, fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome. The two pain syndromes are responsible for pain in various parts of the body, to include the neck, back, both upper and lower, and the legs (sciatica). This article will deal with the former, fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia results in pain to the affected area when touched, these areas are known as trigger points. Fibromyalgia may also be responsible for fatigue, stiffness, and sleep disturbances. Fibromyalgia is a more widespread condition than myofascial pain syndrome and is found throughout the body. Both pain syndromes are thought to be related to a change in or alteration of the body's pain threshold, meaning that the pain reported is out of proportion with the actual pain stimuli. Fibromyalgia is an often disputed classification and in fact has been referred to as the "non-disease."

Fibromyalgia is defined as muscle and connective tissue pain. The condition is characterized by widespread, chronic pain combined with an overly sensitive reaction to allodynia, or gentle touch. As noted above, fibromyalgia is not only responsible for widespread pain, to include neck pain, back pain, and sciatica but may also be characterized by debilitating and disabling levels of fatigue, sleeplessness and sleep dysfunction, stiffness and soreness, difficulty breathing and swallowing, and a myriad of symptoms expressed by and affecting various body systems. The concert of symptoms, not always present in full, are generally referred to collectively as the "fibromyalgia syndrome." In addition to the above mentioned symptoms, fibromyalgia may also be expressed in terms of cognitive dysfunction, as in difficulty shaping and expressing concepts and thoughts, and an increase incidence of anxiety and affective symptoms. The link between stress and fibromyalgia appears to be a significant one, with a number of psychological manifestations being present, to include depression. In fact, there is a powerful link between major depression and fibromyalgia. The etiology or cause remains highly speculative, as it has not been shown that there is a true causal link between the two. It has been suggested, and this author concurs, that depression may be a consequence of having to endure multiple symptoms, including sleeplessness and sleep dysfunction, with no clear cause or treatment options.

Fibromyalgia, as noted above, is defined as widespread, chronic pain and a response to allodynia or gentle touch, particularly at various trigger points on the body. Additionally, pain expressions or symptoms may include deep muscle aches and pains, at times deep, almost burning sensations; muscle cramps and spasms, mild to severe and debilitating, particularly low back pain radiating into the legs (sciatica); nerve pain, to include prickly or needle-like sensations on the skin; generalized weakness, particularly in the limbs; and, disturbances of the bowel, to include colitis-like spasms.

Sleeplessness and sleep disturbances are common in fibromyalgia sufferers, and may grow in severity and frequency over time; and, as psychological symptoms become more prevalent, particularly anxiety and depression. Significantly, a kind of "fibrofog" or "brain fog," manifesting itself as cognitive dysfunction, may be a consequence of sleeplessness and dysfunction. There is a clear and demonstrable link between fibromyalgia symptoms and the inability to concentrate, difficulty with memory, both short and long term, and impaired attention span and an inability to multi-task. There are many more symptoms expressed by fibromyalgia sufferers but they are beyond the scope of this article.

Ultimately, there are a multitude of symptoms and consequences linked to this devastating and debilitating syndrome. Neck pain, back pain, and sciatica are certainly significant in fibromyalgia patients but the concert of symptoms, the syndrome, has multiple expressions and possible causes, physiological and psychological. The fibromyalgia treatment focus must be a holistic one, primarily because of the multiple-system, multi-symptom nature of the syndrome. There is no clear and systematized approach to the handling of, much less a cure for, fibromyalgia sufferers. Treatment strategies often include analgesics such as NSAIDS (naproxen-sodium) for aches and pain. Antidepressants are often prescribed for depression and for possible serotonin dysfunction and its impact on the central nervous system's ability to properly process pain impulses. The impact of norepinephrine and serotonin affecting and stimulating drugs is being explored, a link has been discussed and it is suggestive but the outcome is still unclear. Additionally, behavioral intervention and alternative medicine are options many pursue. As with most cases of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, exercise is an essential component in the treatment strategy, more so due to the wide-ranging, often ambiguous constellation of pain symptoms. Again, a holistic approach is vital if there is to be a resolution for not only the neck pain, back pain, and sciatica but the myriad of additional symptoms collectively classified as the fibromyalgia syndrome.

The Difference of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome From Fibromyalgia

There are doctors who treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS and Fibromyalgia or FMS separately. Meanwhile, there are other medical practitioners who actually think that these two conditions are one and the same - or at least they are variations of a similar condition.

Based on the research made by the Arthritis Foundation, there are about 50 to 70% of people with one diagnosis which fits the criteria for the other condition.

Actually there are glaring similarities between chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Here are several symptoms that are common in both:

- Fatigue

- Pain

- Sleep Disorders

- Irritable bowel syndrome

- Memory or cognitive impairment

- Chronic headaches

- Association with Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome or TMJ

- Coordination impairment

- Dizziness

However, even with these common symptoms, there is one key difference between these two conditions. When it comes to diagnosing between this two, it must be noted which is worst, the pain or the fatigue? Diagnosis can also be influenced depending to your doctor's familiarity with the American College of Rheumatology's criteria for FMS or the CDC's guidelines for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Experts have found other significant differences:

1. Chronic fatigue syndrome has a tendency to begin after a patient suffers from flu-like signs or symptoms and may also be linked to a certain virus.

2. CFS patients usually have higher level of RNase L., a cellular antiviral enzyme from FMS patients, which are usually normal.

3. The CFS has diagnostic criteria of sore throat and low - grade fever while FMS criteria do not have this on the list.

4. The beginning of FMS is usually traced back to an emotional or physical trauma of the patient while in CFS, there are no explainable reasons for its onset.

5. Heat and massage usually eases out the pain brought about by fibromyalgia while the pain brought on by chronic fatigue syndrome does not.

6. FMS patients have some tender points in their body. And they appear to have abnormal levels of substance P, a certain cellular chemical which sends out pain signals. On the other hand, CFS patients appear to have normal levels of this substance.

Now, if this is the case, the question that needs to be answered is this: does it really matter that fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome be differentiated from one another or not? Some say it does not matter while some say it does matter.

What's the true score?

Well, nowadays, the FDA has approved fibromyalgia drugs Lyrica (pregabalin) and Cymbalta (duloxetine). They are also considering milnacipran, a New Drug Application, for fibromyalgia treatment. For chronic fatigue syndrome treatment, they are looking into Ampligen (poly I: poly C12U). These drugs have certain indications which are good only for those suffering the particular condition they are supposed to treat. It could really be dangerous for a CFS patient to be given drugs supposedly for FMS patients due to the inability of distinguishing what particular condition he really has - FMS or CFS.

Thus, it does matter that these 2 quite similar medical conditions be distinguished as 2 different conditions and not one and the same.

What Is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)?

Complex regional pain syndrome can be one of the most debilitating medical conditions to struggle with. It can affect your sleep, your job, your relationships, and even your mental health. You should be able to have fun with your friends and family without worrying about your next flare-up. Chronic pain can affect your ability to provide for yourself or your family, and generally reduces your quality of life. Fortunately, there are a number of new treatments available that may help you acquire the happier life you desire, without the constant weight of chronic pain.

1. Cause of Pain:

First, you might wonder, what causes the pain of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome? The exact reason for the pain is still unknown, but in more than 90% of cases there is a major injury or trauma prior to the onset of CRPS. That being said, the injuries most likely to develop CRPS are limb immobilization (from casts), bone fractures, soft tissue injuries (burns, cuts, bruises), and strains/sprains. Nerve abnormalities, arthritis, and hereditary CRPS can also lead to CRPS.

2. Remedies to pain, provide alternatives:

Remedies for CRPS vary, depending on the nature of the patient's pain and severity. More extreme treatments include surgical procedures, nerve blocks, drug pumps, and spinal cord stimulation. Some of the more common treatments are anti-inflammatory medication, botox injections, corticosteroids, anti-epileptics, and anti-depressants. One particularly common treatment method is the use of patches and topical anesthetic creams.

3. The benefits of using a topical cream:

Topical creams are such a popular treatment for CRPS because they are highly effective and non-dependency forming. It is very difficult to become dependent on or abuse topical creams, and harmful side effects are less likely with these creams. This is in great contrast to pills and patches, which are harmful enough to cause cognitive impairment or addiction in many cases. Not only are these topical creams safer, they are sometimes offered for free through insurance carriers!

4. How most creams are free through insurance carriers:

Most topical creams for pain require little or no copay. Of course, whether or not your pain cream is covered depends on your own insurance policy and company.

If you are suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, it may be wise to consider switching to or incorporating topical pain creams into your medication regimen. Topical creams can allow you to reduce the amount of oral medications you take for your pain, leading to a reduced chance of forming a habit as well as decreased likelihood of developing common side effects of pain pills such as gastrointestinal issues or impaired cognitive function. If you are interested in trying new options to treat your CRPS, why not consider topical creams? It may be the solution you're looking for.

Where Does Pain Come From?

You may or you may not know this, but our human bodies are absolutely amazing! This last week I had the opportunity to discuss with one of my patients just how adaptable the human body is to stress. I tell all of my patients, this is a good thing cause if we didn't adapt to stress we would probably be dead! In neurology we call this process of adaptability "plasticity". This is your body's ability to change, for the good and the bad. This is why, when you sit at the computer all day, you have a stiff neck at night. Your body literally changes, like a piece of plastic, to the position that you are sitting in.

One thing we have to remember is that these changes do not happen over night. Some take years and years to happen, but I can assure you, if the bones of the spine loose their normal alignment or mobility this will cause problems. Headaches, stiff and painful neck, sinus pain, jaw pain, etc... can all be the result of plasticity. The good news is that the ability of the body to change can be a good thing too! I work with plasticity of the human body every single day with every single patient that I see. As I am helping my patients regain the normal alignment of their spines, we are making changes in a positive direction.

Has the process of plasticity taken place in your body? Odds are, if you work in Bellevue at a computer you have developed what I call Bellevue Neck. If you have headaches, neck pain or stiffness by the end of the day, then you most likely have developed plasticity in your system and need to find a Bellevue chiropractor. As a chiropractor I can help you to reverse the changes that has taken place in your body and help you regain the normal alignment and motion of your body.

The other sure indicator that this process had occurred is if you have ever been in an automobile accident. Car accidents stretch the structures of the body too far making them more susceptible to this happening. Again if you have ever been in a car accident call me today and we can set up a consultation to assess if you are a candidate for care.

Do not let the process of plasticity create disease in your body. Call me today to reverse the changes that have taken place and find ways to prevent it in the future.

Cervicogenic Headache - Definition, Symptoms and Cure

What is a cervicogenic headache?

This term refers to the syndrome that is characterized by the chronic hemicranial pain. This means the the bony & the soft tissues portions of the head including the stretch up to the neck.

What are the symptoms of cervicogenic headache?

While the doctors defined some peculiar symptoms of this pain, its primary stages, it is not easy to bifurcate between this sort of headache as against other headache disorders like migraine, hemicrania continua, tension type headache, etc.

Yet some of the common symptoms are as follows:

1. Neck pain

2. Cervical muscle tenderness

3. Arises from the bony structures or from the soft tissues of the neck.

Mention some details on the treatment of cervicogenic headache.

Primarily the medications listed in the pharmacologic treatment modalities for this ailment enlist the preventive and / or the palliative management for all tension-type headaches, migraine and the neuropathic pain syndromes.

Further the patients suffering with acute cervicogenic headache become tremendously dependent on the analgesics. Though the studies have proved that only medication is not enough to treat cervicogenic headache; another important fact is also that proper medication gives you quite substantial pain relief in majority of the cases.

Other important parts of the treatment include the following:

1. Physical therapy

2. Rehabilitation program

The various types of medications given to a patient suffering with this ailment are as follows:

1. Antidepressants

2. Antiepileptic Drugs

3. Analgesics

4. Muscle relaxants

Detail the physical & manual modes of therapy used to cure cervicogenic headache.

The effectiveness of these therapeutic exercises & the manipulative treatment among the patients of this ailment depends on the patients' individual factors such as age, gender, headache chronic-ity, etc.

In terms of the osteopathic manipulative techniques used to cure this sort of pain (like craniosacral & strain-counter strain) and the muscle energy techniques are quite a good option to take up.

The Benefits of a Fibromyalgia Service Dog

Fibromylagia is a form of rheumatism that affects soft tissue and not the joints. Individuals who suffer from the Fibromyalgia syndrome or FMS encounter chronic pain in different points of the body such as the upper back, neck, lower back and more. Using a Fibromyalgia service dog can help alleviate that pain in many ways.

Research and studies show that individuals who suffer from chronic pain and have service dogs are able to better cope with the symptoms over those who don't have such dogs do. Even people with heart ailments who have dogs or pets are less likely to need more medical attention after being discharged from the hospital, studies say.

Perhaps the reason why having a service dog helps in treating the symptoms of FMS is because having a warm, loyal and furry friend helps one to cope with the pain that comes with the affliction. This is because the patient may feel more secure and content with the presence of a dog and it gives them something else to focus on other than their pain.

In some cases, a dog or pet can prove to be the motivation a person with FMS needs to get out of bed in the morning despite feeling like they'd much rather stay under the covers.

Studies have also shown that owning pets, particularly trained dogs can help alleviate stress. This fact is especially beneficial for individuals who suffer from FMS because stress needs to be avoided at all times to avoid occurrence or the worsening of symptoms. This is why many FMS treatments include stress alleviation through drugs or natural alternative remedies.

For information about natural methods of treating fibromyalgia symptoms continue reading and sign up for the free newsletter below.

A lot of individuals with FMS may shy away from the prospect of having a dog because they may think that owning a pet may be too much to manage especially when FMS symptoms set it. However, a properly trained dog can really help if mobility is impaired. They can do activities like switching on and off lights, help with the laundry, opening doors and retrieving items.

Although you will need to be able to meet the needs of you dog too. They have to be fed and watered, given room to run and exercise and you should ensure that nothing in your house or garden could cause them harm.

If you are interested in getting a service dog to help you then you will need to be legally registered as having a disability as service dogs are specifically trained to help with particular conditions. You'll need to complete forms and submit them to the organization of your choice. It's important to note that this process can be length and expensive, so check to see if you are entitled to any compensation

Chronic Leg Pain

Chronic leg pain can be a challenging condition for physicians to diagnose, since the symptoms may be produced in the affected area itself or in other regions which innervate the leg with nerve energy anywhere above the affected level. Leg symptoms usually make patients think that they have injured their actual limb, but in many cases, the pain comes from some issue which is enacting pain in the sciatic nerve or even in one or more of the nerve roots in the spine.

Of course it is certainly possible to have leg pain due to actual injury to the leg structure itself. People can damage their leg tissues in any number of ways, causing trauma to the skin, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments or nerves anywhere in the area. However, in these cases, diagnosis is usually easy, since the patients will likely know how and when the injury occurred. In these cases, there is little room or need for speculation...

In most patients with idiopathic leg pain, there is no history or indication of injury or obvious trauma. The leg appears fine, and may even function perfectly, although the patient will be complaining of agonizing symptoms including pain, and possible neurological issues like numbness, tingling, weakness or the perception of burning. If x-rays return normal and there is no other indication of a fracture or possible injury to the leg itself, the diagnostician must go deeper into the anatomy to find the possible source of pain.

As long as the localized structures are sound, then the condition is almost always sourced in either nerve dysfunction or circulatory dysfunction. Nerve concerns are far more commonly diagnosed and often relate to spinal sources in the lumbar or lumbosacral spine. In these cases, the working diagnostic theory states that some structure is likely impinging upon one or more of the spinal nerve roots which eventually supply the leg with life energy. The causation blamed for enacting this compression, commonly called "pinched nerves", can vary greatly. Some of the typical issues blamed for affecting spinal nerve roots include abnormal side to side spinal curvatures, such as scoliosis, abnormal front to back spinal curvatures, such as hypolordosis or hyperlordosis, advanced degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, a number of spinal osteoarthritic conditions and vertebral misalignment issues like spondylolisthesis, among others. In a few cases, the possibility of the source of pain is eliminated from existing in the spinal structures and thought to come from another anatomical region, such as the sacroiliac joints or from the piriformis muscle impinging on the sciatica nerve itself.

Circulatory conditions, such as diabetes, can cause widespread or localized leg pain. These conditions are usually able to be diagnosed using standardized tests and the neuropathy condition is typically treatable using specialized medications. In many cases, the pain is not correctly attributed to its actual source, which is purposefully enacted regional ischemia. This chronic condition is linked to the mindbody process, which is a sector of health almost completely neglected by today's Cartesian obsessed medical sector. However, some pioneers in the field, like the renowned Dr. John E. Sarno at NYU Medical Center/Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, have shown just how effective alternative treatments can be for many type of leg pain. In my own experience in dealing with tens of thousands of chronic pain sufferers each year, I find this oxygen deprivation syndrome to be both epidemic and incredibly successful at avoiding detection, since it flies in the face of the antiquated structurally-fixated philosophy embraced by virtually all traditional physicians.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Symptoms and Similar Diseases

What is chronic fatigue syndrome, and how do you treat it? What causes chronic fatigue syndrome? What, if anything, can I do to prevent chronic fatigue syndrome? Given the recent surge in chronic fatigue syndrome diagnoses, these are all important questions to ask.

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as CFS, is a disorder that causes feelings of extreme exhaustion for no apparent reason. This fatigue is aggravated by mental and physical activity, and cannot be remedied by sleeping or resting. CFS is prevalent amongst women in their 40's and 50's, and affects four adults out of every thousand.

The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are similar to that of the flu. One of the major symptoms is pain, which can often occur in the throat, muscles, lymph nodes, joints and head. Other symptoms include loss of memory and concentration, as well as having trouble sleeping. The most debilitating symptom of CFS is lack of energy, which often leads to depression and lack of motivation. Sufferers of CFS report feeling drained most of the time, and unable to take part in activities they previously enjoyed.

Chronic fatigue syndrome can be distinguished from a viral infection in that CFS symptoms usually last much longer. For some people, CFS can last years, with symptoms coming and going for no apparent reason. A person cannot be diagnosed with CFS until he or she has suffered from chronic fatigue not caused by any other condition for at least six months.

In addition to the symptoms listed above, there are a number of signs of chronic fatigue syndrome not included in the official definition. They can be helpful in recognizing CFS if one is unsure about his or her condition. These signs of chronic fatigue syndrome include:

• 
  Pain in the abdomen, chest, eyes, ears or jaw


• 
  Allergies or sensitivities to previously tolerated objects


• 
  Bloating, nausea, and diarrhea


• 
  Shortness of breath


• 
  Tingling sensations


• 
  Chronic cough and dry mouth


• 
  Feelings of dizziness


• 
  Weight loss or gain


• 
  Heart palpitations


• 
  Muscle stiffness


• 
  Chills and night sweats


• 
  Psychological disorders including depression, irritability, and anxiety


• 
  Blurred vision, sensitivity to light, dry eyes  

 

It is advised that you keep track of your symptoms, as they tend to come and go over time. While all of these symptoms can be related to other illnesses, there are a number of suspected causes of CFS that make a person more likely to be diagnosed with the condition. These include anemia, depression, allergies, hypoglycemia, weakened immune system, viral infections, low blood pressure and hormone changes. Often, CFS can occur as an immune system response to another illness or infection, and never completely go away.

There is no laboratory test for chronic fatigue syndrome, and no definitive way to cure it. Your doctor will diagnose you with CFS if you have been suffering from at least 4 of the primary symptoms for over 6 months, and do not appear to have any other medical illness. He or she will then attempt to control the specific symptoms you are suffering from, and design a customized treatment plan to minimize the effects of the syndrome.

Treatment protocols for chronic fatigue syndrome often include slow and steady exercise, which was shown to improve the symptoms of 70% of CFS sufferers in one study. Your doctor may also recommend therapy or counseling, anti-depressants, and medications to control your blood pressure and pain. More holistic approaches to CFS treatment include a variety of experimental techniques aimed at reducing stress and anxiety. These techniques include acupuncture, meditation, and diets rich in vitamins and minerals.  

If you suspect you may have CFS, it is always a good idea to see a doctor. No one should ever have to suffer from constant feelings of pain and fatigue, so a physician can either find a way to treat your CFS, or determine what other medical condition you are suffering from. Take care of yourself and try to get the sleep, exercise, and nutrients that your body needs on a daily basis. Now that there is more awareness about chronic fatigue syndrome, you are more likely to receive the help you need.

Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - A 25 Year Battle Before Moringa

It started with a bad case of the flu. Throughout the rest of that year I visited the clinic because of sleep marathons and strange body aches and each time I was told I had the flu. People just don't get the flu 5 times in one year. That was in 1986. When I started needing a nap every day I thought it was allergies, the doctor laughed and told me I was a bored housewife. Other symptoms cropped up, a spastic colon and inflamed bowel. Diagnostic tests of upper and lower GI's failed to find any underlying medical issues.

In 1991, I had a strange feeling in my hands. Within 4 days every joint in my body had stiffened and swelled, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Essentially I was disabled for the next two weeks, unable to stand without support, unable to open my hands, and too exhausted to think. It took about 6 months to return to a regular level of health. Muscle and joint pain continued to be a frequent problem. When the RH factor did not show in a blood test I was diagnosed with disrupted sleep patterns and treated with Ambien.

Between 1997 and 1998 I lost two jobs because of problems with memory, and the inability to properly react in a situation involving clients. In 1999, I was physically exhausted and in pain, for a time I had to forgo cooking at the stove because I would get distracted and walk away letting pots boil dry. It was when a pan of oil caught fire that I decided to stick to the microwave for a time. One day I even walked out of a store to find that I had left my keys in the car with the motor running. Another visit to a doctor finally gave me a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Of course a diagnoses doesn't end the problem, it merely gives you the information to help you cope. Once I knew what the problem was I was able to get more information and find ways to better live with the disease. As I became more educated I was able to keep better control of my symptoms. Regular exercise in the form of dancing and walking kept my body in fairly good conditioning. A good diet avoiding fried foods and excess sweets made a big difference. I noticed the increased pain if I indulged is some foods like chocolate ice cream. Keeping hydrated and avoiding stressful situations is also key in controlling the symptoms. However, we can't always stay in control of our lives. Stress happens and Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue` Syndrome can often go into a downward spiral; I was fighting that downward spiral when I found Moringa.

I received an e-mail from a friend telling me to look up Moringa, and the Miracle Tree on line. There was a wealth of information about the amazing tree, its nutritional benefits, and the promising research into its medicinal properties. This plant is said to have properties that inhibit the growth of cancer cells, provide unsurpassed nutrition, are high in antioxidants, speed healing, and can have positive effects on over 300 medical conditions. When my friend stopped by a few days later she brought me a packet of promotional information, and told me about another friend of hers who also suffers from fibromyalgia. The woman had been using the products developed from the Moringa plant and within a month had been able to stop using her cane for the first time in 10 years. In addition to getting relief from the fibromyalgia symptoms, she lost weight, and saw improvement in her glucose levels from diabetes. After hearing that astonishing news and impressed by what I had read on line I decided to go ahead and try the product myself. I don't believe I have ever made a better decision. Within a week I saw and felt improvement in my concentration, memory, and skin. I was able to sit down and read a book for the first time in a year. My hands which were chapped from the dry winter weather were now well hydrated and healing.

I have continue to take Moringa over the last 4 months and seen an improvement in my moods, my energy levels, my hair, and complexion. I am not cured, I never will be; however the downward spiral of poor health was halted and I am now working my way back to a higher level of well-being with the help of this remarkable product. I plan on continuing the Moringa Daily Nutrients and I am sure my symptoms will continue to lessen as time goes by, hopefully to complete remission.

If you suffer from Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome I suggest that you try the practices that gave me relief.

· Healthy diet

· Avoid fried foods and frequent sweets

· Active lifestyle

· A Regular schedule with consistent bed and waking times

· Keep well hydrated

· Avoid Stress

· Try Moringa

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Why your Doctor Could be Wrong!

The presence of chronic pain, tenderness to touch, moderate to severe fatigue, needles and pins, muscle aches, prolonged spasms, chronic sleep disturbance and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, are all symptoms often overlooked by your doctor who wrongly diagnose arthritis.

It is a common mistake, Fibromyalgia is not commonly known in the medical community.

Perhaps, you do not realise you have Fibromyalgia yourself.

Many sufferers experience 'brain fog' or fibrofog', which is identified by impaired concentration, memory loss, slow reactions and being unable to multi-task. It is also a possible link to sleep disturbances.

Other symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia, linked to a comorbid disorder, include a myofascial pain syndrome. Although Fibromyalgia is classified based on the presence of chronic widespread pain, sufferers have experienced localised pain in shoulders, neck, low back, hips and other areas.

Sensitivity to light, eye pain, blurred vision and fluctuating visual clarity, can also be symptoms of the condition. Resulting in sufferers changing their lens prescription more frequently.

The onset of Fibromyalgia, may at first be slow, often misdiagnosed in childhood as 'growing pains. Symptoms are often aggravated by changes in weather conditions and unrelated illnesses. On some occasions, the conditions, although not life threatening, prevent sufferers from leading normal activities such as driving or walking up stairs.

Although the disorder does not cause inflammation as in Rheumatoid Arthritis, some non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce pain symptoms temporarily in some patients, in the long term of have little or no use in pain management.

The cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, several possible links have been made to:

Genetic Factors

Stress

Sleep Disturbance

Dopamine Abnormality (restless leg syndrome)

Serotonin Inbalance

Human Growth Hormone

Cormorbidity Disorder

So how do you diagnose 'Fibromyalgia'?

Doctors use a set of classification criteria informally known as 'the ACR 1990' which define fibromyalgia according to the presence of the following:

History of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months- affecting all four areas of the body- sides above and below the waist.

Tender points- 18 designated points- using 4 kgs of force (enough to whiten a thumbnail), force is applied to those points.

The patient must feel pain at 11 or more points, for fibromyalgia to be considered.

Treatment.

Hormones

Analgesics

Muscle Relaxants

Tricyclic antidepressants

Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Anti-seizure medication

Dopamine agonists

Combination therapy

Central nervous system stimulants

Cannabis

Other non drug treatments

Fitness Massage Acupuncture Whirlpool Therapy Diet.

Fibromyalgia can effect every aspect of a persons life, in the UK it has been recognised as a condition for claiming benefits and assistance, due to its effects in sufferers being unable to maintain full - time jobs. It is most prevalent in the ages between 20 - 50 years old, although onset can be traced back to childhood.

Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (UCPPS) Can Affect Sexual Performance

Urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS), more commonly known as chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, is one of the more prevalent and difficult sexual diseases to diagnose and manage. This pelvic pain condition must not be confused with the other types of prostatitis, particularly the chronic and acute forms of bacterial prostatitis.

The medical nomenclature that describes this medical condition is continually evolving. UCPPS is the general medical term that is commonly used in scientific researches to refer to the syndromes that are linked with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS).

About 90% to 95% of the reported cases of prostatitis in male patients fall under the category of CP/CPPS. Men who suffer from this type of prostatitis experience intense pain in the pelvic area and these symptoms can last beyond 3 months.

The major symptom of UCPPS is the perineal pain or chronic pain in the pelvis area. The pelvic pain that is associated with chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is not attributable to urinary tract infection. The pain in the pelvis area my wane and intensify in short episodes and the degree of pain can range from a mild condition to severe and debilitating pain.

In severe cases, the pain experienced can extend to the rectum and the back making sitting uncomfortable. Other symptoms that may be present include burning and throbbing penile pain, athralgia, dysuria, myalgia, lethargy and pain in the abdominal area. However, increased urgency and frequency of urination may indicate the presence of complicating case of interstitial cystitis or inflammation of the bladder and not of the prostate.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome or chronic prostatitis may present intense pain during ejaculation. This chronic pain is mainly due to the contraction of the prostate gland during semen emission. This is the classic symptom of this syndrome. There are also instances where the person diagnosed with chronic prostatitis experience lower libido, erectile problems and ultimately sexual dysfunction.

A scientific study was recently conducted primarily to measure the effects of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis on the sexual performance of men. The study established the relative measure of sexual function by assessing the degree of pain during ejaculation, decrease in libido, difficulty in ejaculation and erectile dysfunction. The scientific study also evaluated the influence of trigger point release of the pelvic muscle as it relates with relaxation training.

A total of 146 males participated in the scientific experiment on the impact of chronic non-bacterial protatitis on sexual function. Their mean age is 42 and all have had chronic non-bacterial prostatitis for not less than 30 days. These men also had training on paradoxical relaxation for trigger point release within the musculature of the pelvic floor.

The Chronic Prostatitis Symptom index was used in evaluating the frequency or severity of the pain, sexual and urinary symptoms attributable to CP/CPPS. The study also presented the assessment of global response in order to document the perceptions of patients to the overall effects of therapeutic interventions following an average of 5-month medical follow-up.

Out of the 147 men who were involved in the scientific experiment, 133 or 92% developed sexual dysfunction. Specifically, 66% of these men had decreased libido, 56% had pain during ejaculation and 31% had ejaculatory and erectile dysfunction. After completing training on paradoxical relaxation, a marked improvement in the average range of 77% and 87% on sexual symptoms were exhibited by the patients.

On the other hand, 70% of the responders reported a marked decline of 9 and 7 points based on the Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index. Finally, the scores of the responders on the Pelvic Pain Symptom survey improved by 43%, indicating a marked global response improvement as opposed to only 10% indicating mild to moderate improvement.

Chronic Back Pain and Upper Back Pain Relief

If you need upper back pain relief at the moment, you may find this article very helpful. 9/10 adults will suffer from chronic back pain in their lives, so it is very important that you get the right treatment straight away. Once we find out the cause we can then finally get:

* Upper Back Pain Relief

* Cure Upper back Pains For Good

* The Upper Back Pain Causes and How To Avoid Them

About Back Pain

Pain in the back comes from many different sources including the nerves, from the joints, the muscles and even from the bones themselves. There are also many different kinds of pain that can be felt from chronic back pain to sharp stabbing pains. It can be like a burning sensation or just a dull ache. It can be in one place or for some people it can move around.

The type of pain is normally split in to different categories. Neck pain, lower pain, upper pain and tailbone pain. These can also effect down in to the leg and foot causing tingling and numbness. It is also split in to categories based on the duration. Less than 4 weeks is classed as 'Acute'. 4-12 weeks is classed as 'Subacute' and greater than 12 weeks is classed as 'Chronic'. It goes without saying that it can be very frustrating not knowing the best method to relieve the pain.

Lower and Upper Pain Causes

There are many different causes including upper back pain from stress. Stress was only brought to life in the 1930's by Hans Selye. Stress can cause people to unconsciously tighten up parts of the body which over time will effect the muscles and cause pain. Another cause is the skeletal muscle itself. This can include muscle strains, muscle spasms and muscle imbalances.

One of the main causes of lower pain is from the joints of the spine. This effects 1/3 of people with the lower pain and also in the neck caused by whiplash. These joints become displaced or trapped following a shock or a jolt. Other causes include disk herniation, disk degeneration, joint disease, trauma and cancer.

Treatments

We will now look at some different treatments that are available to you. The first is short term relief. You can find short term relief with medications like pain killers, muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory prescriptions. Heat therapy is quite useful for back spasms. Testing has shown that heat therapy is good for acute and subacute lower pain. On the other hand Cold Compression Therapy has been useful for upper back pain relief.

The next set of treatments are known as Conservative treatments. Exercises have shown to be very effective at reducing pain. An effective stretching routine is almost essential in any kind of treatment. Some eastern styles, including acupuncture has shown to be useful for back pain. It is also worth while looking in to the Alexander Technique. Popularized in the 1920's it is all about correct posture of the spine and has been successful at eliminating all kinds of problems.

For more severe cases, you may also consider surgery. Surgery will normally only be used for the worst cases such as disk herniation, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis or compression fracture.

For more information for an effective solution, whether acute or chronic, visit our back pain site below.

How Gluten Can Be Causing Your Chronic Pain

Chronic pain reaches into every aspect of your life. It affects how and even if you can work. It affects your relationships with family and friends. It affects your mood and your outlook on life. Unrelenting pain becomes an ever present companion, accompanying you wherever you go no matter what you do.

Many who live in chronic pain spend a lifetime trying to find the cause of their pain. Traditional medicine often treats the symptoms, addressing each ache and pain as its own illness. Take this drug for this pain. Take another drug for another ache. You may often get conflicting advice as well. Try increasing your activity. No, you need to rest. Try ice. No, try heat. Well-meaning friends and family offer all kinds of advice and old wives' tales and maybe even accuse you of making it all up.

At what point do you give up on all the misguided medical advice and give in to a life of chronic pain?

Before you give up and give in, you need to know about a common cause for chronic pain and a problem that can be solved relatively simply. A sneaky culprit may have quietly been wreaking havoc on your body for years. Gluten.

What is Gluten?

Simply put, gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, malt, rye and some oats. People with a gluten sensitivity often have no idea the kind of destruction this protein is wreaking on their bodies. The traditional medical community has only recently started to acknowledge how gluten can cause damage.

People with a gluten sensitivity cannot digest this protein. As the protein travels through their digestive systems, it damages the villi in their intestines, the part of your intestines that gather nutrients from your food. Over time, you lose the ability to absorb nutrients into your body leading to a host of health problems including:

• Celiac disease;


• Autoimmune disease;


• Fatigue;


• Anemia;


• Mental health issues like depression or anxiety;


• ADD and ADHD;


• Irritable bowel syndrome;


• Neuropathy;


• And chronic pain.

How Does Gluten Cause Chronic Pain?

It's hard to imagine that a protein found in the most basic of foods - bread, cereal, pasta - could cause so much damage. But when you think about what you lose by ingesting what is essentially a poison, it actually makes more sense.

Gluten causes chronic pain in two key ways. First and foremost, gluten sensitivity leads to inflammation. Inflammation leads to pain, plain and simple. In fact, you may have been taking anti-inflammatory medications for years knowing full well that your pain is tied to inflammation. Gluten also causes chronic pain through its effect on your neurological systems. For example, gluten has been linked to migraines and nerve damage.

So What Can I Do?

Your chronic pain will never improve until you get to the root cause of the pain. You may have known, for example, that inflammation has led to your chronic pain. However, inflammation is simply another symptom, not a cause. Too often, traditional doctors stop their diagnosis one step shy of the actual cause.

If you think gluten might be causing your chronic pain, you can take several steps. First, you can talk with your medical provider about testing your blood for antibodies linked to gluten sensitivity. While these tests can prove a gluten sensitivity and give you concrete proof, they are not perfect.

In fact most of the time when you go to your medical doctor, the typical test ordered to determine if you have gluten intolerance is a notoriously poor test. Learn more about why the typical gluten intolerance test is not adequate by reading an informative white paper on the subject.

If the tests come back negative but you still suspect gluten as the culprit behind your chronic pain, you can try a gluten elimination diet. This means eliminating all food containing gluten (and the list is pretty long) for a defined period of time. Once you have rid your body of this protein, you can then add it back into your diet. If your symptoms return, then you have your answer.

Don't give up and give in to a lifetime of chronic pain. You deserve to lead a full, productive and happy life. Chronic pain stops you from leading the life you want to live. It's time to stop treating the symptoms and get to the root cause. A gluten-free diet might just be your ticket to a pain-free life.

Causes and Complications of Chronic Pain - Adult Health and Wellness

Often called 'the fifth vital sign,' pain is as important as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure as a key indicator of a patient's medical status. The longer we live, the more likely it is that we will eventually experience some type of injury or disease that results in temporary or even chronic pain. Surgeries become more frequent, both elective and those deemed vital to our survival and well-being. Injury and surgery leads to scar tissue that may cause lingering pain, mar our outer appearance, and diminish certain movement capabilities. Many of us also take a variety of pharmaceuticals and/or recreational drugs to delay some disease process or to alleviate symptoms of chronic physical or emotional pain. These drugs, even properly prescribed prescription drugs, may sometimes exacerbate the problems and even create new unexpected painful side effects.

Sometimes, continuing to take pain medication actually perpetuates the pain when the medication is stopped or increased doses may be required to maintain the same effect. With body therapy, on the other hand, over a period of time, fewer and fewer treatments may be required because the body cells remember the sensations of neuromuscular letting go and previously over stimulated nerve receptor cells begin to quiet down.

Causes of Pain

A popular belief, even among medical professionals, is that the most common cause for pain is a pinched nerve. According to this belief, there are three types of pain:

*Nocioception - immediate, protective pain

*Inflammatory - local cellular damage

*Neuropathic - one or more nerves are affected, delayed in onset, becomes chronic pain, requires physical input to heal the injury...and is radiculopathic (nerve root impingement causing weakness, numbness, and difficulty controlling certain muscles)

Chronic pain is believed to be caused by shortened (contracted) muscles resulting from neuropathy and radiculopathy. This theory is based upon Cannon's 1949 Law of Dennervation Supersensitivity which states: "Any measure (such as a nerve impingement caused by radiculopathy) which blocks the flow of motor impulses and deprives an organ or tissue of excitatory input (motor impulses) for a period of time, will cause abnormal functioning (called 'disuse sensitivity') in the receptor organ or tissue.

Recent research, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI's), has demonstrated that no matter how much a normal functioning spine is compressed or twisted, there is ample room in the space between the vertebrae for free movement of the nerve. Researchers are now suggesting that much of the pain may be caused by sensory receptor overload from postural imbalances. Through a process called "sensitization," a pattern may be set up in the body in which hyperexcited receptors feeding the central nervous system cause the brain to send signals to twist and torque the body to avoid pain.

The pain generating stimulus must be interrupted until the memory in the nerve cells has been forgotten. For many chronic pain cases, deep tissue therapy a few times every week can help these hyperexcited receptors feeding the central nervous system to quiet down and the sensation of pain to dissipate and even disappear.

Deconditioning Complications of Chronic Pain

Any part of the body that has severe and chronic pain will discontinue normal, symmetric, coordinated movement, and the person with pain will simply self-splint, immobilize, and decondition the area. Muscles, nerves and joints weaken and deteriorate leading to muscle atrophy, neuropathy, contracture, decreased movement, and gradual weight gain. To compensate for a weak, painful area, joints, nerves and muscles in other parts of the body will work overtime, leading to "overload and overuse syndrome.

Hormonal Complications of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a potent stressor that may affect every endocrine system in the body. Initially, the pain causes an excess of stress hormones (catecholamines and glucocorticoids) to help the body control pain and prevent damage. However, this excess may trigger hypertension and tachycardia, sometimes leading to cardiovascular death.

If severe pain continues and is not controlled, adrenal exhaustion and decreased stress hormone levels may result. The fluctuation between excess and deficient glucocorticoids, often called Cushing and Addison syndromes respectively, can lead to many severe symptoms, including: mental deficiencies, muscle weakness, edema, osteoporosis, diabetes, forming stones, tooth decay, and even testosterone deficiency. A further effect of pain and lowered levels of important hormones is a compromised immune system, lowered resistance to infections and slower healing of wounds when injured.

Neuropathic Complications of Chronic Pain

Persistent pain causes excess electrical activity in peripheral nerves, spinal cord and brain. This 'hot wire' effect appears to cause nerve tissue damage in the spine as well as the brain, which can lead to dementail and other organic brain problems.

Cardiovascular Effects of Chronic Pain

Pain increases blood pressure. This is not such a problem for a person with a normally low to average blood pressure. But for a person suffering from hypertension and high blood pressure, the increased blood pressure resulting from the body's pain response can lead to a more serious heart problem such as a stroke or aneurysm.

Pain, especially as we age, should not be taken lightly. There are all sorts of medications available to decrease the level of pain. And when needed, pain medication can literally save lives. But for chronic pain, there are so many diet, exercise and body therapy prescriptions that can not only be life saving but can transform the quality of a person's life.

Living With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition, a neurological disorder that is caused by dysfunction in the central and peripheral nervous system. It may occur as the result of an old injury or for no apparent reason at all, and is most often characterized by changes in the color and temperature of the skin in the affected area, an intense, burning pain, and heightened skin sensitivity. There are two categories of CRPS: CRPS I, which may be triggered with no apparent nerve injury, and CRPS II where the condition is clearly triggered by a nerve injury.

CRPS may occur at any age, and in both men and women, although statistics suggest that it is much more common in young women. It is basically an intense, continuous pain that is widely out of proportion to the severity of any injury that may be involved. CRPS gets steadily worse over time, typically starting out in one extremity and slowly spreading to the others. Skin sensitivity is increased and the person affected may reach a point where even the slightest touch causes extreme discomfort. The affected extremity may also swell and become stiff, with movement becoming increasingly difficult.

Given time, and without treatment or therapy, the pain may travel throughout the extremity and even into other extremities. The condition may be aggravated by emotional stress. The condition may vary in intensity, but most medical professionals believe that there are three progressive stages of CRPS.

Stage One: typically lasts from 1 to 3 months, characterized by severe and worsening pain, muscle spasms, joint stiffness, and changes in skin color and temperature.

Stage Two: typically lasts from 3 to 6 months, with steadily increasing pain, softened bones, stiff joints, and weakened muscle tone.

Stage Three: this is where the syndrome has progressed to a point where changes in the skin and bones are no longer reversible. Pain permeates the entire affected extremity, with considerable muscle loss, limited mobility, and severe muscle contractions.

Obviously it becomes important to seek treatment and therapy early on, as all possible steps should be taken to prevent the condition from reaching Stage Three.

The medical community is largely unsure of what causes CRPS, although there is evidence to suggest that old injuries may be one trigger for it. However, there are cases of CRPS in patients with no previous injury.

It is widely accepted that the sympathetic nervous system plays a vital role in sustaining the pain. The current conclusion is that CRPS does not have a single identifiable cause, but is rather a result of multiple causes that yield similar symptoms.

The good news for sufferers of CRPS is that the condition may improve on its own without therapy. On the other hand, it may only become worse over time and the patient then runs the risk of it developing into a debilitating condition. It is always advisable to have the condition diagnosed and seek treatment for it as soon as possible. It should be noted however that there are cases where the condition continues to progress in spite of considerable therapy and treatment. Most doctors believe that early treatment is vital to successfully limiting the disorder, but this falls more into the category of wishful thinking than hard medical evidence.

Types of therapy are wide and varied. Obviously physical therapy plays a part, as the muscles and nerve endings need to be exercised and stimulated, with the goal of having them "remember" their proper settings and process pain signals correctly.

Psychotherapy also plays a vital role in recovery, and those suffering from CRPS may also develop depression or anxiety, making it difficult to concentrate on improving. Depression only serves to heighten the sense of the problem, which can successfully block rehabilitation efforts.

When all else fails, more radical treatments may be in order. Nerve blocks may be utilized to literally block off nerve endings to relieve the pain, and surgery may also be an option, destroying the effected nerve endings to bring relief. This procedure is quite controversial, however, and is used only as a last resort.

Clearly, there is much to be learned about Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome, and while research goes on, it remains important to treat the condition as much as possible now, with what we know. What is known is that there is a window of time in which to successfully treat the problem before it becomes debilitating. Take advantage of every opportunity to treat it while you can.

Chronic Pain Syndrome And Chronic Pain Management And Treatment - Part II

Arthritis

This is not only true for chronic soft tissue type pain but also is reported in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (20). Examples of chronic nociceptive pain include pain from cancer or arthritis. This phenomenon, allodynia, is common in chronic degenerative arthritis, low back pain, and severe irritable bowel syndrome and interstitial cystitis. Common types of chronic pain include back pain, headaches, arthritis, cancer pain, and neuropathic pain, which ...

This workshop is somewhat focused on arthritis, but is general enough that anyone experiencing chronic pain will gain new skills to deal with their pain. Although sometimes there's no explanation for chronic pain, it is often associated with a well-known, even common condition, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or migraine. This can include severe arthritis pain, severe lower back pain, severe neuropathic pain, chronic migraine, etc. Cats can experience chronic pain due to a number of conditions including arthritis, joint malfunction and back pain. neck aches, knee arthritis, knee arthritis, knee arthritis, knee arthritis, arthritis, arthritis, numbness, headaches, joint pain, severe headache, chronic arthritis, body achesLymphangioleiomyomatosis ...

Therapy

It is for this reason that physical therapy programs for chronic pain often provide training in home reconditioning exercises. Antidepressant therapy may be effective in relieving sleep complaints associated with chronic pain. Individuals treated at the Chronic Pain Centre work closely with an interdisciplinary team including psychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing and pharmacy. Intraspinal opioid therapy for chronic nonmalignant pain: Current practice and clinical guidelines. 2 Sufferers of chronic pain and chronic illnesses may benefit from counselling or therapy as part of their coping strategy. Opioid therapy for chronic nonmalignant pain. Patient chart for review of efficacy of therapy for chronic pain. Patient chart for initiation of therapy for chronic pain. Another fairly new type of therapy for chronic pain is magnetic stimulation. According to Dr.

Treatment

Comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment of chronic pain: a follow-up study of treated and non-treated groups. However, seldom do chronic pain patients with insomnia receive a behavioral treatment for insomnia. Money matters: A meta-analytic review of the association between financial compensation and the experience and treatment of chronic pain. Models of chronic pain management through denial are based on the proposition that chronic pain occurs as a consequence of compensation and inappropriate treatment. The treatment of psychological distress in patients with chronic neck pain after whiplash. Many people suffer with chronic pain, unaware that there are a variety of treatment options that can help them live more normal lives. If you have chronic pain, you should seek out information about these various treatment options. The treatment of chronic pediatric pain would benefit from the development and support of cooperative pediatric chronic pain research consortia. The good news is that safe and effective medical treatment for chronic pain is currently available. A major barrier to be overcome, however, is that chronic pain is often not viewed as a physical illness worthy of treatment.

This is the first of a two-part article on chronic pain and its treatment. Ideally the treatment of chronic pain would be to prescribe effective pain medications. When pain persists in spite of medical treatment, as is the case in chronic pain syndromes, the issues become even more complex. The acupoints illustrated throughout this article are without question some of my favorite for the successful treatment of chronic pain. And problems such as constipation, nausea and anxiety that may accompany chronic pain or its treatment can be effectively treated.

Management

One of the problems with chronic pain management is that the brain habituates to pain-killing drugs, requiring higher and higher doses. The interdisciplinary team at the Chronic Pain Centre is made up of health care professionals who have expertise in the management of chronic pain. For all these reasons, it is extremely important that all Anesthesiologists recognize the frequency, consequences and management challenges of chronic pain in this population. The management of chronic pain in older persons. For example, assessment and management of chronic pain in children should be a mandatory part of pediatric residency. Both feature a wide range of links, tips and pain management strategies that will be of benefit to sufferers of Chronic Pain.

There are a number of management strategies for chronic pain such as acupuncture, massage therapy and pain-killing medications. The management of chronic pain in older adults. The relative merit of systemic versus neuraxial opioid administration for chronic pain management was not addressed in the these guidelines. The Guidelines recognize that the management of chronic pain occurs within the broader context of health care, including psychosocial function and quality of life. Analyses of aggregate outcomes are essential to continuous quality improvement of chronic pain management in the clinical setting. In addition, research involving people with chronic pain has helped develop effective management approaches. Algorithm for the management of chronic pain. Management of chronic pain in children.

Care

A recent survey of primary care physicians (8) noted that only 15% enjoyed treating patients with chronic pain. The prevalence of borderline personality among primary care patients with chronic pain. care of yourself, chronic pain is different. Knowing what the causes are and being able to describe your symptoms to your health care team can help you manage chronic pain. To equip the qualified clinical practitioner with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement and run a primary care chronic pain control clinic. Tell the patient that chronic pain is a complicated problem and for successful rehabilitation, a team of health care providers is needed. Personal care plan for chronic pain. To raise awareness among the health care community, policy makers, and the public at large about issues of living with chronic pain. Family care Chronic pain, like chemical dependency, affects the entire family. Involvement in the program's family groups increases understanding of chronic pain and addiction. Expert physician care is generally necessary to treat any pain that has become chronic.

Treat

Now, there's a way to treat chronic pain without pills but with the simple push of a button. Reimbursement policies should reflect the multidisciplinary complexity and efforts required to assess and treat children with chronic pain. Try not to rely on sedative or hypnotic medications to treat the fear many chronic patients show of activity or fear of increased pain. Interventional techniques refer to procedures that are performed in an attempt to diagnose and treat chronic pain.

Research

Research has shown that the chance of people with chronic pain becoming addicted to pain-relieving drugs is extremely small. ...my research with patients with chronic pain and other chronic illnesses in...enormous success. Targeted government and private funding for research in pediatric chronic pain should be augmented. Current research should soon yield ways of formulating and delivering NMDA receptor-blockers that will ease most chronic pain syndromes without causing such adverse effects. The research evidence is strongest for these patients regarding the risk factors for chronic pain. But for chronic pain, research has shown that they tend to make pain worse, causing the patient to need larger and larger doses. Of the little research done on chronic pain, researchers had previously focused on damaged nerve fibers as pain conduits.

System

With chronic pain, the pain signals keep firing up the nervous system for months, even years, either continually or as flare-ups. Recent animal studies have shown that remodeling within the central nervous system causes the physical pathogenesis of chronic pain. In chronic pain the nervous system may be sending a pain signal even though there is no ongoing tissue damage. Much of the identifiable findings in chronic pain patients will be referable to the peripheral nervous system.

Chronic Back Pain Syndrome

Chronic back pain is a phrase which puts fear into doctors who are uncomfortable treating it. It's the cause of anguish and disability for patients suffering from it. Yet, for a certain percent of people who have chronic back pain, the ultimate treatment turns out to be very simple which involves education and thinking psychologically. A lot of chronic back pain is not actually due to a certain structural problem. Yes, your MRI might show a very small bulge or scoliosis, you may have a wear and tear changes in the X-ray, but the ultimate cause for your pain might be emotional, stress and tension and how you're dealing with the world, rather than the biomechanics of your back.

It is not difficult to detect the symptoms of chronic back pain because all you have to do is be alert. Some of the most common symptoms of chronic back pain is not being able to sleep because of the pain. At night, you keep on tossing and turning in your bed, trying to look for a certain sleeping position that would alleviate the pain you feel at your back. If the pain becomes unbearable, you begin to have cough and sneeze most of the times. You would also experience an interference of pain during your discharge of excretion of bowels. The numbing of your legs, and losing control of monitoring your urine is somewhat related because your lost of urine monitoring is due to the weakness in the legs. Some of the worse symptoms for chronic back pain are chills and fever as well as unexplainable weight- loss. In addition to these, you may also experience severe pain or stiff neck, spine or hips. Lastly, you become unable to lift weight and if you do, it would definitely result to a more painful back. The kind of pain that you feel is constant or intermittent, meaning, the pain may or may not stay in one pace or area and may radiate to some other back areas. However, it may also be a dull ache or it may also be a sharp, burning sensation. Such pain may be felt in the neck, the upper back or in the lower back.

To avoid these symptoms of chronic back pain, make sure you go for a regular exercise. Walking for 15 to 30 minutes in the morning may already help you lessen your chances of acquiring the aforementioned condition. Proper diet and self - discipline also comes in package. If you know how to discipline yourself when it comes to your lifestyle, you would definitely live a good and healthy life.

What Are Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Lupus?

There are millions of people in America, most of them women, who are suffering with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and/or lupus. All three of these syndromes are classified as autoimmune diseases. That means that the immune system has turned against a specific part or parts of the body and is attacking and destroying those tissues and organs. For years, doctors have been trying to get answers regarding these illnesses, their causes, treatment options, and symptom-attacks called episodes or flares. Here's why...

Fibromyalgia Syndrome- A chronic condition causing: intense widespread pain, painful points on specific parts of the body, extreme fatigue that doesn't go away with sleep or rest, muscle stiffness and weakness, cognitive and memory problems, mental fog, insomnia and other sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal issues including irritable bowel syndrome, depression and anxiety, mood swings, hypersensitivity to heat/cold/ noises/ odors/foods/medications, unexplained vision changes and blind spots, dry eyes, vertigo and dizziness, endometriosis, migraines and headaches...and dozens of other symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is frequently misunderstood by family, friends, co-workers and even medical doctors who don't believe that the person is actually ill. Getting a diagnosis of fibromyalgia may take months or even years. Sufferers of fibromyalgia usually end up seriously limiting their physical activity level, changing their lifestyle to cope with the symptoms, and may even have to modify their jobs or quit working altogether. Blood tests, x-rays, and other imaging tests are currently not available for diagnosis of fibromyalgia, although blood tests may be used to rule out other syndromes and illnesses.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- A chronic condition causing: Incapacitating fatigue/exhaustion, chronic pain, chronic flu-like symptoms, joint pain without swelling or redness, muscle weakness, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, chronic cough, nausea, earaches, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, problems with concentration and/or short-term memory, mental fog, depression and anxiety, panic attacks, personality changes and mood swings, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, frequent resistant respiratory infections, alcohol intolerance, hypersensitivity to heat/cold/ noises/ odors/foods/medications, low-grade fever, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), rashes, endometriosis, seizures, and dozens of other symptoms.

Often confused with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome is thought to possibly be a different manifestation of the same autoimmune disease. Both illnesses are thought to be caused at least in part by an infection... possibly from Epstein Barr virus, although there is a long list of viral suspects being tested today. Also there seems to be a genetic component in both conditions and sufferers frequently have symptoms of both syndromes.

Just as with fibromyalgia, the sufferer may not be diagnosed for months or even years, and their support system may be hampered by disbelief in the condition. Chronic fatigue sufferers have trouble keeping up with their responsibilities both at home and at work, and job changes, modifications, and even quitting work altogether, are common. The sufferer is not only dealing with the extreme fatigue, but with the wide range of other symptoms that make it hard to function at all. Because of the broad spectrum of symptoms, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome misdiagnoses are not unusual. The symptoms themselves are, in many cases, distinct and separate diseases that accompany or co-exist as a manifestation of the syndrome.

Lupus- A chronic condition causing: Fatigue, fever, joint pain, stiffness and swelling, a reddish butterfly-shaped rash on the face covering the bridge of the nose and cheeks, chest pain, shortness of breath, skin lesions that are worse with exposure to the sun, Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers and toes that turn blue when exposed to cold or during stressful situations), dry eyes, headaches, confusion and memory loss, and many other symptoms.

Symptoms of lupus may manifest suddenly or develop slowly over time. They may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. No two cases of lupus are alike. Most people with lupus have a mild form of the disease until severe episodes erupt. Then, symptoms get worse for a time... then may improve... or even disappear indefinitely!

Because the signs and symptoms of lupus in individuals vary widely, diagnosing lupus is difficult. The symptoms change over time and overlap with many other disorders... just as with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Fortunately, a combination of tests (urine and blood), plus the symptoms and physical examination can provide doctors with the answers they need.

In time, new developments in the study and treatment of autoimmune diseases will lead to cures for these debilitating syndromes. For now, treatment and learning behaviors (taking precautions to reduce or eliminate flares) for the symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and lupus, can give sufferers some relief.

As a sufferer of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and/or lupus, your knowledge of what works for you are your best defense against flares. Keep records of changes in your health and medications, food allergies, and any activity that triggers symptoms. Then, give the information to your doctor so that he can benefit from what you've learned and provide you with the best treatment options.

And take control of your nutrition. Natural treatments including strengthening your body from the inside out by repairing damage caused by these autoimmune syndromes, can go a long way to helping you control the symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and lupus. I am a fibromyalgia "survivor" and I can tell you that for long-term remission of symptoms, the best treatments I've found have been the inclusion of nutritional supplements into my diet. They've gotten me off expensive medications with my doctors' approval and they can do the same for you! For more information about using natural treatments to help you control your symptoms, contact me now by clicking on one of the links below.

http://www.overcomefibro.com/fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-lupus.html