Archive for October, 2010

Chronic pain, such as that experienced by people with fibromyalgia is often only remedied by medication. Depending on the severity of the condition and the number of symptoms different doses and combinations of drugs may be used. Since fibromyalgia tends to be a chronic condition, many patients will need to take fibromyalgia pain medications for long periods of time. This makes it especially important for them to consult with their doctors about their medications and expected side effects.

Side effects of medications used for fibromyalgia
Every drug has side effects that can vary depending on the people using them. It all depends on the person’s specific body makeup, overall health and even allergies, if they have them.

For fibromyalgia medication to become an effective treatment to the disorder, these side effects must be known and understood. Here are the commonly used fibromyalgia medications and their known side effects:

Non-opioids
Fibromyalgia medications that are considered non-opioids include acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin. These are all used to treat pain and may be obtained over-the-counter or with a prescription. While they are effective against pain, some non-opioids can cause gastrointestinal problems that can lead to stomach upset and even bleeding. They can also trigger asthma and cause nausea and vomiting.

Acetaminophens have milder side effects but if they are taken in high doses, they can affect the liver. You should avoid alcohol and stick to the recommended dosages.

Anti-depressants
Anti-depressants are often prescribed in conjunction with other fibromyalgia medications for their calming effect. They are also effective in inducing sleep and helping patients to feel relaxed. As a result, sufferers sleep better and feel less fatigued during the day. Some of the risks of using anti-depressants include constipation, dizziness, lightheadedness and mouth dryness.

Sleep modifiers
Sleep modifiers are often prescribed along with fibromyalgia medications if insomnia is a problem. While they are effective for inducing sleep and minimizing fatigue, sleep modifiers are only prescribed as short-term treatment because they can be habit forming.

They can also cause withdrawal effects on people who have been using them for some time and suddenly stop. They are not recommended for intake during times when the patient has to be outdoors driving, riding a public transportation or working in an area where sleepiness might result to an accident.

Anti-spastic
Anti-spastic drugs are sometimes used with other fibromyalgia medications to ease uncomfortable muscle spasms and control burning or tingling sensations that result from a nerve injury. If taken in high dosage for a long period of time, they can cause liver problems and lower white and red blood cells.

Steroids
Steroids help reduce pain caused by swelling or inflammation. On the downside, they can cause fluid build-up, stomach irritation, muscle weakness and bleeding. In some patients, steroids may also cause confusion.

Opioids
If patients do not respond to lower-dose fibromyalgia medication to treat pain, doctors may sometimes prescribe opioids, which are effective against moderate to severe pain. Opioids like morphine, codeine, methadone, hydromorphone and hydrocodone are very effective in reducing pain but patients may not find their side effects pleasant. Some of these include drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, itching and urination problems. Because they can be addictive, they are also not prescribed for regular use.

For information on treating Fibromyalgia naturally, either alongside or without medication keep reading and sign up for the free newsletter below.

The side effects of fibromyalgia pain medication can be problematic so it will be a decision that you and your doctor make as to whether a particular treatments benefits will outweigh any possible side effects.

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In America, around ten million people suffer from fibromyalgia. Researchers and doctors have not been able to give information on the causes of Fibromyalgia. There are certain risk factors that can make a person more vulnerable to fibromyalgia.

The risk factors related to Fibromyalgia are as follows:

Age: Generally, people between the ages of 20 to 60 are more likely to get affected by fibromyalgia. Going by the statistics, people around thirty five years of age are mostly affected by this disease.

Gender: Women are more affected by this disease as compared to men. They generally tend to develop this disease during menopause. Some studies show that nine out of ten fibromyalgia patients are women.

Genetic factors: Studies have shown that genetic factor is involved in the development of this disease. People with family members suffering from fibromyalgia are more likely to get affected by this disease. According to reports, 28 per cent of children of mothers suffering from fibromyalgia developed this disease.

Sleep disorders: People suffering from different kinds of sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, are more likely to get affected by this disease.

Rheumatic disease: People with rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and lupus are at a higher chance of developing Fibromyalgia.

Muscle injury: Any kind of muscle injury can result in the formation of trigger points. Continuous stress on such trigger points can lead to fibromyalgia. During recovery from surgery or stroke, one can experience trigger points in the muscle.

Other factors: Generally people coming from a stressful environment or who have undergone physical or psychological trauma are at a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia. People suffering from stress, depression or anxiety are more susceptible to this.

Considering the risk factors involved in this disease, people experiencing any symptom need to consult a doctor for proper treatment of Fibromyalgia at an early stage.

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fibromyalgia is a form of rheumatism that affects soft tissue instead of the joints. There is no swelling involved in fibromyalgia and while it is not a disease, it is a syndrome that can prove to be quite debilitating for people who have not been given the opportunity to adjust and cope with the changes and implications of this situation in their lives. Take fibromyalgia headaches. This can become quite a liability to one’s life and daily activities, which is why it is essential to have a lifestyle that is flexible and helpful for individuals who suffer from Fibromyalgia.

Most people who develop fibromyalgia also find that the number of headaches and migraines they suffer also increases. The three types of headaches that are common among fibromyalgia patients are tension headaches, migraine and combined headaches (a mix of the first two).

Muscle tension headaches are caused by contracting muscles found in the neck, jaw, head, back and shoulders. They tend to start at the base of the skull but work their way round to the front, eventually feeling like an ever tightening band around your head. These can be moderate or severe and can last up to a few hours.

Migraines are different to tension headaches as they are caused by blood vessels and arteries constricting. These constrictions can be caused by stress, illness or fatigue and can cause severe head pain, nausea and stabbing eye pains. Migraines generally last around four hours, but can go on for much longer.

While research and further studies are being carried out to further understand Fibromyalgia to try and establish a root cause and cure, it is important to be able to cope with the implications of this situation in one’s life in the meantime.

While taking prescription painkillers can seem like the easiest and fastest way to get rid of Fibromyalgia headaches, it would be good to explore natural remedies as well rather than constantly relying on medications to get through frequent, chronic headaches.

There are several methods you can try to see which is the best way for you to combat the pain from Fibromyalgia headaches without resorting to drugs.

For instance you can learn stress and pain management like meditation and relaxation techniques. Cultures that practice meditation have been able to control various major bodily functions like slowing their heartbeats and the like. You can opt to explore the possibility of controlling your Fibromyalgia headaches through this technique. Continue taking pain medication while you become adept at the process, you can practice this technique to keep relaxed and at ease which help keeps headaches away.

You can also combine meditation and relaxation techniques with aromatherapy to help you acquire better control over headaches. Aromatherapy helps soothe, relax and improve one’s well being. Combined with meditation and pain management techniques, you may be able to beat the occurrence of headaches.

To discover more natural remedies for treating all fibromyalgia symptoms keep reading and sign up for the free newsletter below.

Another natural alternative to help combat headaches is to have a mild and relaxing massage. Tension headaches are probably induced by existing chronic pain from the upper back or neck area. Relaxing these areas through mild massage and physical therapy can help alleviate the fibromyalgia headaches that come with it. It might also help to soak in a warm bath to relax the muscles further before having a massage and physical therapy.

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Scientific studies have been established directly linking fibromyalgia as a source of arthritis or rheumatism with symptoms associated with prolonged and radiating pain centered in the soft tissues like tendons, joints and muscles, complicated further by the fact that it also causes, among others, insomnia, headaches, numbness in the hands – worse, anxiety and depression. There are a number of treatment options and one gaining in popularity is fibromyalgia and reiki.

fibromyalgia is a common chronic disease affecting millions of people worldwide – with women mostly targeted by this illness. In the United States alone, studies indicate that fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6 million Americans, afflicting women – on average – 8 times more than men.

As pain is mainly associated with fibromyalgia, an age-long natural method for treating pain-related illness known as Reiki is rapidly gaining a popular following among many fibromyalgia patients due to its therapeutic and natural healing benefits.

So, just what are the healing benefits of Reiki and how can they help someone with fibromyalgia?

Reiki primarily endorses healing through natural ‘touch’ therapy and self-healing. This healing benefit also contributes to relieving stress and invokes a positive disposition in fibromyalgia patients, thereby relieving anxiety and depression.

Reiki is a traditional Asian form of therapeutic treatment coined from two Japanese terms, ‘rei’ meaning ‘a higher degree of power and universal force’ and ‘ki’ for ‘life force’, through which healing is induced by ‘light touch’ patterns. Literally by the placement of the Reiki master’s hands near or above the patient’s body during the process.

Reiki uses ‘touch’ therapy by using specific hand positions and patterns that corrects and improves energetic imbalances in the human body to restore energy levels, improve health conditions and relieve emotional stress.

Reiki has actually been practiced for thousands of years in Asia, predominantly by Japanese and Chinese spiritual monks, which over the course of time may have been disregarded due to medical and technological advancements, specifically with the introduction of chemical-based medicines to treat diseases, limiting the practice of Reiki.

During ancient times, the healing benefits of Reiki ranged from the treatment of debilitating diseases like lupus, joint inflammations and even terminal illnesses, but as time progressed, the exact science of Reiki has never been exhaustively and comprehensively passed on to generations.

It was only during the late 19th century that Reiki’s natural healing benefits was resurrected by a Buddhist monk and teacher named Dr. Mikao Usui, who studied the ancient therapeutic practice and adopted the method to cure his patients.

The natural healing benefits of Reiki so captivated Japanese-American Hawayo Takata, who trained under a Reiki master in Japan back in the 1930′s, and introduced the practice to the West. Reiki was used to treat illnesses ranging from cardiovascular diseases, insomnia and impotence, however, Reiki took a backseat as an alternative treatment since only very few scientific studies have come out documenting its success stories during that time.

To read about other natural remedies to help you overcome fibromyalgia sign up for the free newsletter below.

Currently, Reiki is firmly taking a strong foothold as an alternative treatment for many diseases, including fibromyalgia treatment and its popularity is spawned by the many positive testimonials that it has generated.

The healing benefits of Reiki are more than just a therapeutic method that helps in the treatment of pain and stress-related diseases. It is reminiscent of the time when conditions were not just treated by herbal remedies or alchemic concoctions, but the human body was regarded as a tool that has a mechanism to heal itself from ailments.

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Sign up for Jane Thompson’s free Fibromyalgia newsletter – Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about Fibromyalgia and Reiki.


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