Day: June 24, 2022

What Foods Trigger Fibromyalgia Pain?

Posted on by Teresa

what foods trigger fibromyalgia painFibromyalgia syndrome is a condition that causes patients to experience widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue.

Asides from pain symptoms, patients also tend to experience things like mood issues, memory problems, etc. Symptoms tend to vary in fibromyalgia patients.

Fibromyalgia symptoms can seriously affect the quality of life of patients, and if it’s not properly taken care of, it can lead to even worse symptoms.

There is no exact cure for fibromyalgia, but there are certain treatment procedures that can be employed to ease fibromyalgia symptoms.

In this article, we’ll be talking about some dietary changes that need to be made to prevent fibromyalgia symptoms from getting worse.

Foods that can worsen Fibromyalgia symptoms

There are certain foods that people with fibromyalgia need to avoid in order to prevent worsening symptoms like fibromyalgia pain, food sensitivities, etc. The following are some of the foods to avoid:

Processed Foods

Many processed foods (which include tinned vegetables, savoury snacks, and breakfast cereals) contain sugar and unhealthy fats, and these things can cause inflammation in the body and increase a patient’s risk of developing inflammatory diseases.

Furthermore, processed foods are devoid of some fibers and the nutritional value that are naturally present in non-processed foods and they contain certain preservatives and flavorings that can trigger food sensitivities.

They also contain food additives like monosodium glutamate (a common form of dietary glutamate) which can increase pain in most patients.

Alcohol

Even though some research has found that moderate use of alcohol can help reduce symptoms in patients, people with fibromyalgia are always advised to shy away from drinking alcohol in excess quantity as it can also trigger inflammation and it can cause harmful interactions with some of the medications prescribed to ease symptoms.

Refined Carbohydrates

Refined carbohydrates like white rice and bread tend to digest quickly, causing blood sugar levels to temporarily spike in the process.

After the blood sugar levels drop, it causes immediate hunger which can make the fibromyalgia pain and fatigue worse.

A recent study also found that reducing the intake of certain carbohydrate products can cause a reduction in irritable bowel symptoms, and pain and can also reduce fatigue.

Unhealthy Fats

It is advisable for fibromyalgia patients to avoid vegetable oils like peanut oil, corn oil and coconut oil because they have inflammatory effects, especially in fried foods. In general, patients with fibromyalgia should avoid foods that contain unhealthy oils.

Caffeine

Taking caffeine in order to reduce fatigue can deprive patients of proper sleep which can make the fatigue worse. It might have no effect in minute quantities, but it excessive caffeine intake can worsen symptoms.

Dairy Products

Many patients experience bloating and gas after consuming dairy foods. Cutting back on dairy products can help reduce symptoms in most patients.

Gluten

Some studies have shown that non-celiac gluten sensitivity might be one of the causes of fibromyalgia. Staying away from gluten-filled diets can bring about a decrease in symptoms such as pain

Sugary Foods

Reducing the rate of eating foods high in sugar and artificial sweeteners can significantly help reduce fibromyalgia pain. Limiting sugar intake can also help with weight loss.

Having too much weight contributes to the amount of fat present in the body, and this can cause inflammation in some cases.

Foods that can help relieve fibromyalgia symptoms

We’ve discussed some of the foods to avoid, now it’s to time to talk about some foods that can help relieve symptoms in patients.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

One common way of combating symptoms of fibromyalgia is by regular consumption of fruits and vegetables. This is because they contain antioxidants and vitamins that can help fight free radicals and help maintain the body in a healthy state.

Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and contain no flavor enhancer or additive that can cause harm to patients.

Studies have also shown that following vegan or vegetarian diets can help decrease inflammation in patients who have fibromyalgia.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

These types of foods are known for their anti-inflammatory effects. Omega-3s can help patients with pain relief.

Examples include nuts, dark green vegetables, cold-water fish like Salmon, Sardines, and Fatty fish

Lean Proteins

lean proteinsIncreasing the intake of protein-filled meals can help prevent blood glucose levels from fluctuating. They also help keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range. Proteins generally help with the overall health of the body.

These are just some of the foods that are beneficial to fibromyalgia patients. Some other foods that should be considered include whole grains, foods that contain vitamin D, whole wheat, fiber, etc.

As a Fibromyalgia patient, it is advisable to keep a food diary that can be used to track how the body reacts to certain foods. This can help patients identify the foods to avoid and the ones that can help increase their quality of life.

Just as there is no one cure for treating fibromyalgia, it is impossible to find one fibromyalgia diet that will work for everyone with fibromyalgia. Patients should seek out professional medical advice in order to figure out a fibromyalgia diet that works for them.

Most of the time, any anti-inflammatory diet should do for anyone who experiences chronic pain disorder.

In general, the need of having a healthy diet cannot be overemphasized. Having a balanced diet comes with many benefits that even people who do not have fibromyalgia syndrome need.   

 

 

 

What Does Fibromyalgia Pain Feel Like?

Posted on by Teresa

what fibro pain feels likeAccording to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and skin diseases, Fibromyalgia syndrome is a “chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes chronic pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue and trouble sleeping”.         

It is widely believed that fibromyalgia patients experience pain due to an alteration in the way their brain and spinal cord process painful and non-painful signals.

Fibromyalgia is not very popular in the medical community, but it is starting to gain more recognition thanks to organizations like the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and skin diseases (NIAMS), the Arthritis Foundation, and many others.

There is no exact cure for fibromyalgia, but healthcare professionals combine various methods as forms of treating fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia can be triggered by factors like physical or emotional trauma, genetics, illnesses, etc.

Main Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

People with fibromyalgia tend to experience a wide range of symptoms that can often be similar to that of other medical conditions and that makes it a bit difficult to diagnose Fibromyalgia.

Here are some of the most common fibromyalgia symptoms that patients experience:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a very common symptom in Fibromyalgia patients. It’s a digestive disorder that causes belly pain, bloating and some other conditions. Acid reflux is one of the other disorders that come with Fibromyalgia.

Widespread Pain and Tender Points

Almost everyone with fibromyalgia experiences widespread pain. The pain can be sharp, light, deep, or aching. Patients can also have tender points (also known as trigger points) that can be very painful anytime pressure is applied there.

Memory Problems (also called Fibro Fog)

Fibro fog can cause Fibromyalgia patients to easily lose concentration. They tend to forget things and lose focus easily.

Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome affects the feet and legs starting from the knees. It usually intensifies during the night and it can deprive sleep.

Moving your legs more often can help relieve patients.

Sleep Problems

People with fibromyalgia generally have trouble with sleep. And when they do manage to sleep, they usually find it hard to go into a deep sleep and are woken by even the slightest sleep disturbances, and they usually end up waking up feeling exhausted.

This contributes to the fatigue that people with Fibromyalgia experience.

Mood Disorders

The different kinds of symptoms that come with Fibromyalgia can really affect a person’s mental state and this can lead to depression and lack of concentration.

Fatigue

Most Fibromyalgia patients feel constant tiredness even when they’ve rested. The kind of fatigue that is felt by Fibromyalgia patients is very similar to that of another condition known as chronic fatigue syndrome.

Morning Stiffness

Most patients find it hard to move certain parts of their body when they wake up in the morning. Morning stiffness causes the muscles and joints in the body to stiffen for brief periods.

The many symptoms of fibromyalgia vary from patient to patient, so some patients may experience some other symptoms that are not listed here.

Describing Fibromyalgia Pain

Pain is one of the main symptoms that Fibromyalgia patients experience. And just like how symptoms vary from patient to patient, people with fibromyalgia feel pain in different ways. These are some of the different types of pain that people with fibromyalgia experience:

Widespread Muscle Pain

Widespread Muscle PainThis is one type of pain that most people with fibromyalgia usually experience. Most patients who experience this kind of pain feel flu-like symptoms or experience hurt all over their entire body.

Fibromyalgia causes persistent pain all over the muscles and tissues. The feeling can be deep, tender, stiff or light and it spreads all through the parts of the body – including the arms, legs, neck and shoulders.

Many patients have also reported experiencing forms of pain that felt like that of a heart attack in the region of their breastbone and rib cage.

Joint Pain and Stiffness

This is another common symptom that is commonly reported in people with fibromyalgia. This is often caused by tense and painful muscles that limit the body movement, which then eventually causes stiffness.

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain can bring about strange nerve symptoms such as crawling, tingling, itching, burning or numbness in the arms and legs. They can be very painful in some situations and mild in some.

Hyperalgesia

Hyperalgesia is a medical term that is used to describe the increase in the sense of pain that people with Fibromyalgia generally feel. The increase in pain is due to the fact that the regions in the brain that control pain reacts differently in people with fibromyalgia.

A recent study that was conducted by researchers compared the results gotten from the electrical activity that occurred when needles attached to monitors were inserted into the arms of 21 women who had fibromyalgia, 25 women with chronic fatigue syndrome, and 21 healthy women. They discovered that the tissues that surrounded the muscles in women with Fibromyalgia overreacted to very slight touches. According to the researchers, this is most likely due to the fact that the central nervous system of women who had Fibromyalgia were sending continuous signals to the brain and that caused their tissues to remain on high alert.

Abdominal and Pelvic Pain

People with Fibromyalgia have a very high risk of being diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a digestive disorder that usually causes things like cramps, belly pain, nausea, etc.

Asides from abdominal pain, the level of pain in the pelvic joints can also increase and this may lead to incessant urination.

Fibromyalgia Headache

Tension and migraine headaches are also common symptoms. Tension headaches can cause a dull, tightening pressure sensation around the head. The frequent headaches can make it a bit difficult to fall asleep and can also cause an increase in mental anxiety.

Allodynia

Allodynia is a skin condition that causes an increase in the sensitivity of skin cells. Patients with this kind of pain feel extreme pain from even the slightest of touches. This occurs because the brain, nerves, and spinal cord overreact to pain sensations.

Allodynia is a very rare type of pain that is mostly found in fibromyalgia patients.

TMJ Pain

Young woman in pain is having a toothache isolated on white background

The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull on both sides of the face. TMJ pain can be described as a dull, persistent ache that affects the ear, eyes, lower jaw, or neck.

TMJ pain is sometimes treated using anti-inflammatory drugs or drugs that help with relaxing the muscles.

What Does a Fibromyalgia Attack Feel Like?

A Fibromyalgia attack may include everyday symptoms but with greater intensity. Sudden attacks can aggravate fibromyalgia symptoms to extreme proportions.

Where Do You Hurt With Fibromyalgia?

People with fibromyalgia feel pain in most of their body parts, but regions around the neck, shoulders, arms, and chest are more prone to experiencing more pain. This can cause severe body aches, including painful tender points, chronic headaches and muscle tension.

Ways to Treat Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, but it can be treated through a combination of medication and alternative therapies. The goal of the treatment is to help relieve pain and improve the general health of Fibromyalgia patients. There are quite a few FDA-approved drugs that help provide pain relief. Combining these medications and physical therapy can really help ease pain symptoms.

This method of combining treatment can also be used to tackle other symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

 

 

 

Is Fibromyalgia Real? Why Are So Many Skeptical?

Posted on by Teresa
a lady with arms folded over legs

When you are suffering from the mental, emotional, and physical discomfort that fibromyalgia brings, it can be extremely frustrating and disheartening to have to constantly deal with people who don’t believe that what you have is even a real disease.

Doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals will try to convince you that what you are experiencing is “all in your head.”

A lady experiencing stomach issues

Or maybe they’ll tell you that you should try getting more exercise, going to more therapy, or consider a new hobby.

Even friends and family will oftentimes look at you with blank stares, unaware of what you are going through and unable to help.

Sometimes the lack of understanding and compassion can make you wonder if people are intentionally working against you, or if all of the pain and suffering you’re experiencing really is just “in your head.”

But let’s be honest.

You already know the truth.

Fibromyalgia – which is often referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome – is a very real condition that affects millions of people every year.

Though the symptoms can vary, almost all people who are trying to seek a fibromyalgia diagnosis report experiencing such things as chronic widespread pain, sleep problems, digestive problems (such as irritable bowel syndrome), and other symptoms that all keep leading to the same questions and even answers.

Do I have fibromyalgia?

And – if so – how is fibromyalgia diagnosed?

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You know that your symptoms are real. But you also know that – in order to get people to understand that you’re going to have to do more work and research on your own.

Why is it So Hard to Get a Diagnosis for my Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

Perhaps the biggest reason why it is still so hard to get a fibromyalgia diagnosis is rooted in one main problem.

For years, doctors and healthcare providers have believed that the symptoms of fibromyalgia are not consistent with an actual diagnosis of a specific disease.

A big reason for this is that when a patient comes to their doctor’s office complaining of widespread pain, it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint where exactly this pain is starting, and what the level of intensity is at each pain point.

Often, different patients that are under the same doctor’s care will present with varying symptoms when seeking a fibromyalgia diagnosis.

Because of the nature of this disease, it is common for the chronic pain associated with this disease to be located at various points around a patient’s body.

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These points are referred to as “tender points” and are identified to be located in specific parts of a person’s body, namely their lower back, central nervous system, around their knees, elbow, and in their lower neck region.

Getting a blood drawn out a body

Tender points tend to be symmetrical in the body and will radiate pain when a medical professional pushes their finger into the point. (This should be done with enough pressure to turn the top of a fingernail white when done.)

But the problem is this.

Because of the complexity of the symptoms and the lack of consistency in how they present, it’s easy for many doctors to either misdiagnose the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia or simply dismiss the patient’s pain altogether.

In order to effectively diagnose fibromyalgia, there are certain standard tender point pain tests that can be done.

Using what is referred to as the Widespread Pain Index, a doctor can touch different tender points and ask the patient to identify the severity of the pain on a symptom severity scale.

By doing this, it allows the doctor to be able to assess the intensity of the pain and use the guidelines of the index to determine if the pain the patient is experiencing seems to be consistent with that of people with fibromyalgia.

But the problem is that many physicians and medical professionals either don’t understand how to use the index, or they simply don’t believe it is an effective diagnostic criteria for determining if a person should be diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

A patient having a discussion with her doctor

Until more healthcare professionals are on board with the criteria for determining a fibromyalgia diagnosis, it is going to continue to be a challenge for patients to receive the correct diagnosis – and ultimately – the correct care that they so desperately need and deserve.

Why is There Still No Test for Fibromyalgia?

Another big limitation for doctors and other healthcare providers is the fact that there is still no true test for attaining a fibromyalgia diagnosis.

Again, if you have a healthcare provider or physician who is willing to give you a physical examination and then dive into the Widespread Pain Index, this can be a helpful starting point for figuring out if your symptoms align with those of other fibromyalgia patients.

But since it’s unclear if a doctor is going to be willing to do the index test, many sufferers have asked if there is some sort of blood work test that will help determine what, exactly, is going on with their body.

Fibromyalgia patients have been asking that more research be done on their condition for years. Even with all the support networks and education that has been provided, there still has been little work done in the medical field to come up with a way to accurately test a person’s blood for fibromyalgia.

Until a test is discovered, one option patients have is to ask their physician to test them for other diseases that present in similar manners to fibromyalgia.

Because of the nature of this disease, sometimes a person may be misdiagnosed as having a similar condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or other musculoskeletal system diseases.

Especially if you’ve had a family history of any of these other diseases, you have higher risk factors for one of them to present in your own blood work or another diagnostic test.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that affects a person’s central nervous system in a similar way that fibromyalgia does.

Patients who are diagnosed with this painful disorder complain of symptoms such as severe muscle pain, sleep disorders, and other health conditions that cause them to experience deep pain that can sometimes be so similar to fibromyalgia that it’s easy to get the two confused.

A man sitting with his hands on his head

But the good news is that rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that can be diagnosed with blood work, which will then allow your physician to rule it out as a probable cause for your pain.

Similarly, you can also request that other such musculoskeletal disorders be tested for as well.

What Can I do While I Wait for a Cure for My Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

Trying to get medical professionals to take your chronic pain and other symptoms seriously can feel like an uphill battle for many people with fibromyalgia.

Many patients will spend years and countless amounts of money and time seeing primary care doctors, and pain specialists, attending physical therapy, and talking to therapists about the mental disorder and (sometimes even major depression) they are experiencing as a result of their years of chronic, unexplained pain.

They just want someone who knows how to treat fibromyalgia effectively and treat patients with the respect and compassion they would any other patient presenting with any other condition.

These patients will oftentimes start feeling like they must be crazy…but all they want is to find something to relieve pain and give them back the life they once had.

For those who are trying to maintain hope that their condition will at some point be taken seriously, and that a cure will eventually be found, there are some things you can do in the meantime that will help alleviate some of your discomfort.

Some alternative therapies have proven to practically eradicate some patients’ pain signals altogether.

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Here at Native Formula, we believe that one underlying issue for those who are struggling with fibromyalgia comes from the biofilm that is located in our bodies.

Though biofilms are an important part of life’s existence, they can also become problematic within our bodies and are now believed to be the cause of many health conditions, namely ones like fibromyalgia.

One of the challenges that biofilms present is that they are difficult to remove from our internal systems. Even most antibiotics are incapable of eradicating them from our systems.

But there are some safe and effective ways to begin to treat these biofilms and begin to see some relief to your symptoms. If you would like more information on biofilms and how removing and managing them in your body may help alleviate many of the symptoms you’ve been struggling with for years, take a look at our more extensive information on biofilms here: www.nativeformulas.com/biofilm-protocol.

When you develop fibromyalgia, the road to recovery can be long, challenging, and exhausting. The roadblocks that you may face will sometimes come from those you should trust the most.

But know that you are not alone on this journey and that millions of others have sought treatment and found it in places that are not always a typical medical office.

When you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you will have to continue to educate and advocate for yourself until we have more support and answers from the medical community.

But until then, know that your symptoms are real. And there is some relief ahead.

Native Formulas can help patients with fibromyalgia find that path forward, can connect you with others who have experienced similar challenges, and can give you some resources to help manage your real pain and tackle other symptoms you have that are caused by your mistreated fibromyalgia.

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