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20 Secrets You Should Know about Fibromyalgia
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In the United States, fibromyalgia affects almost 10 million people. This disease is characterized by chronic pain, especially muscle pain, extreme fatigue, depression, and painful, tender pressure points. Modern medicine has yet to discover the underlying cause of this debilitating disease and, currently, can only offer relief of symptoms when sufferers have flare ups. Functional medicine, however, searches for the root cause of this disease in order to treat the problem at its root source. Here is a list of the 20 top items most doctors are not aware of but if you suffer from this painful condition, you should know are all possible causes and reasons for flare ups.
1.Gluten Intolerance
Gluten is the root cause of perhaps more than 55 diseases, yet modern medicine still dismisses this as a possibility. Gluten intolerance rarely shows up as gastrointestinal problems but rather as neurological problems such as nerve pain, and depression.
2. Overgrowth of Candida
Candida is a fungus and is normally present in your intestines in a very small amount. When candida grows to excess it can penetrate the bloodstream and release toxins into the body.
3. Thyroid Function
If your doctor runs a blood test, be sure he asks for all six blood markers to measure your thyroid function. Thyroid dysfunction can cause fatigue, and depression.
4. Vitamin Deficiencies
The most common vitamin and mineral deficiencies are magnesium, vitamin D, and B12. Most patients with fibromyalgia are seriously deficient in one or more of the above vitamins. Find out about vitamins in food inforgraphic.
5. Bacterial Overgrowth in the Small Intestine
Our bodies naturally have bacteria in them, both good and bad, that generally stay in balance. These bacteria can overgrow through a sugar rich diet or overuse of antibiotics.
6. Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are very toxic materials produced by molds. Typical environmental mold testing does not test for mycotoxins.
7. Mercury Poisoning
If you have mercury fillings in your teeth, have them replaced as soon as possible. Mercury is a very toxic substance.
8. Adrenal Lethargy
Lethargy of the adrenal gland is the result of chronic stress. The adrenals should be supported with herbs.
9. MTHFR Mutations
This is a genetic test available through any conventional lab. The more mutations you have to the MTHFR gene, the less you are able to detoxify toxins in the body, such as mercury.
10. Glutathione Deficiency
This is the most critical part of our body’s detoxification system. Taking glutathione or the precursors, such as NAC, alpha lipo acid, and milk thistle, often helps dramatically with fatigue.
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Dealing with flare ups of pain and fatigue are difficult and depressing. Many people with fibromyalgia find that some situations cause them to have flare ups. This lists the top 10 most common causes of flare ups.
1. Weather Changes
Most short term flare ups are due to changes in the barometric pressure changes as a new weather front passes through. Although there is nothing you can do about the weather, at least take comfort in knowing that it should pass in a few days.
2. Over Exertion
When patients with fibromyalgia have a good day, it’s difficult to not want to catch up on chores, or join in a game with your kids. However, when you over do it, this will come back to bite you the next day with a major flare up. No matter how good you feel, be gentle with yourself.
3. Stress
Stress is the underlying cause of so many health problems, and fibromyalgia is no exception. Stress related flare ups often seem to last the longest.
4. Additional Illness or Injury
Fibromyalgia often begins after an illness or injury so it’s no wonder that something as simple as even a slight cold can bring on a flare up of pain.
5. Hormonal Changes
Many women report that flare ups seem related to their menstrual cycles and menopause. This is something you should discuss with your doctor.
6. Temperature Changes
Many people with fibromyalgia state that they are extremely sensitive to cold or heat, sometimes both. Being exposed to uncomfortable temperature changes, even for a short period of time, can sometimes cause a flare up.
7. Changes in Your Sleep Pattern
Persons with fibromyalgia often have difficulty sleeping as it is, so when something disturbs your normal sleep pattern, many people report that they have a flare up of pain soon afterwards. Read more about dangers of sleep deprivation.
8. Treatment Changes
Although your health care professional may try to help you by introducing new treatment protocols, this sometimes backfires as it will bring on a flare up.
9. Travel
Traveling is seldom easy for someone with fibromyalgia and your dream vacation may be followed by a nightmare flare up. Try to plan a trip with as much rest time as you can manage, both before and after.
10. Other Sensitivities
Often persons with fibromyalgia have a number of sensitivities such as allergies or sensitivity to light or an aversion to certain smells. Keep a log of your flare ups and the things that possibly brought it on. With time, it’s possible you might be able to pinpoint your own triggers and help reduce the number and intensity of them significantly.
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