Fibromyalgia is a medical condition in which the person feels persistent widespread pain. Its a condition involving pain and Stiffness throughout the tissues that support and move the Bones and joints.
• Myalgia (Rheumatism) is a group of common non-articular rheumatic disorders characterized by achy pain, tenderness, and Stiffness of muscles, areas of Tendon insertions, and adjacent soft tissue structures.
• The response to pressure in the people suffering from Fibromyalgia is very sharp and painful. Fibromyalgia is considered either a musculoskeletal-system disease or neuro-psychiatric condition.
Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases
1) Osteoarthritis
2) Rheumatoid Arthritis
3) Fibromyalgia
4) Lupus
5) Ankylosing Spondylitis
6) Gout
7) Psoriatic Arthritis
8) Bursitis
9) Tendinitis
Types of Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis – Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the bone joints, badly impacting wrists, toes, knees joints. If not treated timely may damage to eyes, lungs, heart, and other body parts. rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly affects those aged between 40 and 50 years old and is three times more prevalent in women than men.
• Gout – gout is a metabolic disease marked by a sharp painful inflammation of the joints, caused by crystallized deposits of uric acid (or the accumulation of very small uric acid crystals) in the connective tissue, larger joint spaces (ankles, elbows, hips, wrist), or both producing intense pain, and an excessive amount of uric acid in the blood.
• Juvenile Arthritis – Juvenile arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints lining in youngsters (small joint of the hands and feet), characterized by non-specific, usually symmetric inflammation of the peripheral joints and other connective tissue, potentially resulting in progressive destruction of articular and peri-articular structures, inflammation, pain, functional disability, stiffness, swelling, joint deformation, and loss of joint function.
• Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is a chronic form of Arthritis where the cartilage of the joints is damaged and the bone surfaces become rough and enlarged, then begins slowly and with some pain involve any joint (but mainly occurs in large joints such as fingers), generally occurs in women after menopause (but may occur in young age also).
In general, there is the acute form which is of short duration and includes the infectious type caused by gonorrhea, an infected tooth or acute rheumatic fever.
1) Rheumatic Fever
• It’s caused by a germ (alfa streptococcus viridans) which is found in the throats of some patients whose only complaint may be a sore throat. Rheumatic fever comes about 3 weeks after recovery from a sore throat where the patient may complain of tender joints and fever.
• It affects mainly those between the ages 10-30 but it sometimes affects those up to the age of 40.
• Young people should always be on alert for rheumatic fever but it’s not the only cause of joint-pain in youth, but is by far the most dangerous.
• The dangerous part of this disease is its effect on the-heart which may be so damaged as to render the individual an invalid in life. It attacks the valves of the-heart and causes them to leak. Following this, the-heart enlarges and the larger it gets the more disabled the patient becomes.
2) Chronic Articular Rheumatism
• It is the most common type of arthritis that manifest by pain on one or two joints without fever or any other symptom.
• Moist heat applied as a hot soak or as a hot towel give relief.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen are the most widely used drugs as Conventional Arthritis Medications.
Minor Side Effects of NSAIDS
• Gastrointestinal (Heartburn, Indigestion / Dyspepsia, Diarrhea, Constipation, abdominal pain, Nausea, stomatitis, decreased appetite, Vomiting)
• Central Nervous System (Headaches, Insomnia, Dizziness, drowsiness, Tinnitus, confusion, unusual weakness)
• Visual (Loss of visual acuity, blurred or double vision)
• Skin (Itching, rash, photosensitivity reactions, eruptions, Hives)
• Cardiovascular (Edema (Dropsy), Palpitations, rapid heartbeat)
• Genitourinary (Burning or painful urination, vaginal bleeding, blood in urine, Cystitis)
Serious Side Effects of NSAIDS
• Gastrointestinal (Gastric and/or duodenal ulceration, gastrointestinal bleeding [advanced age is a risk factor])
• Cardiovascular (Angina, cardiac Arrhythmias, exacerbation of congestive Heart Failure)
• Kidney (Interstitial nephritis, acute renal failure, hyperKalemia [high serum Potassium])
• Skin (Exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, other unusual Skin problems)
• Blood (Anemia, leukopenia)
Risk Factors for Ulceration with NSAIDS
• Advanced age
• History of Peptic Ulcer disease or cardiovascular disease
• High-dose NSAID use
• Long duration of NSAID use
• Heavy Smoking or drinking
• Kidney or Liver failure
• Certain drugs use (such as Coumadin and prednisone)
Components of a Holistic Treatment Program for Arthritis
• Well-balanced Diet
• Glucosamine Sulfate (a nutritional supplement that may enhance the reconstruction and healing of cartilage. Glucosamine is an amino sugar, a molecule composed of an Amino Acids and a simple sugar)
• Heat therapy (involve treatment with paraffin wax, microwaves, ultrasound, or moist heat to increase blood flow, pain tolerance, and flexibility)
• Cold therapy (involve cold packs, ice massage, soaking in cold Water, or the use of over-the-counter sprays or ointments that cool the Skin and joints, numbs the nerves around the joint, reducing pain, relieving inflammation, and easing muscle spasms)
• Weight Reduction (Excess weight puts extra Stress on joints)
• Hydrotherapy (exercising or relaxing in warm Water, which helps relax tense muscles and relieve pain)
• Mobilization Therapy (traction [gentle, steady pulling], massage, and manipulation [using the hands to restore normal movement to stiff joints])
• Relaxation Therapy (progressive relaxation and tightening of one muscle group at a time, then slowly releases the tension)
• Exercise (lessens Joint Pain and Stiffness, and increases flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance)
Types of Exercises Best for People with Arthritis
• Range-of-motion exercises (help maintain normal joint movement, relieve Stiffness, and help maintain or increase flexibility).
• Strengthening exercises (help maintain or increase muscle strength. Strong muscles support and protect arthritic joints).
• Aerobic or endurance exercises (improve cardiovascular fitness and help control weight).
Major Causes of Fibromyalgia
• Abnormalities within the central Nervous System which might be result of childhood Stress or long-lasting or severe Stress.
• Stress is considered to be an important cause in the development.
• Aggravating Changes (such as weather or over-exertion, etc.)
• Hormonal changes (premenstrual and menopausal states)
• Polymorphisms of genes in the serotoninergic, dopaminergic and catecholaminergic systems.
• Genetic factors might be playing a role in the development as its believed that inheritance mode of Fibromyalgia is polygenic.
• Abnormal growth Hormone (including leptin, IFG-1, neuropeptide Y, and cortisol)
• Depression or psychological factors
• Restless leg syndrome is frequently found in the patients with Fibromyalgia, due to hypodopaminergia (deficiency in dopamine [a catecholamine neurotransmitter] that plays role in perception of pain and natural analgesia)
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
• Sharp and widespread pain
• Heightened pain in response to pressure (allodynia)
• Debilitating fatigue
• Sleep disturbance
• Joint Stiffness
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Bowel and bladder abnormalities
• Numbness and tingling
• Cognitive dysfunction (brain fog or fibrofog)
• PsyChiatric conditions (such as Depression and Anxiety)
• Stress-related disorders (such as post-Traumatic Stress disorder)
Home Remedies for Fibromyalgia
• Radish and Cranberry are some of the effective Fruits for treating Fibromyalgia. Take freshly prepared Cranberry or Radish juice to help in fighting with severe muscular pain.
• Patient suffering from Fibromyalgia should take plain fresh Orange Juice (or mix Cod Liver Oil).
• Cook ripe Wild Cherry in jaggery and Butter is very useful in treating Fibromyalgia. Take frying pan and add 2-3 tablespoon of Butter, add 10-12 Cherries into it, after some time add 2-3 tablespoon of jaggery to it and cook for some time, allow it to cool, then take the mixture 2-3 times in a day.
• Cook 4-5 tablespoon of Oatmeal in Milk and add Wild Cherry and jaggery to it, mix it well and allow it to Boil till Oatmeal is cooked completely, then take the food to patient 3-4 times a day.
• Vegetables (such as Cabbage, Carrot, beat, etc.) helps in the natural cure of Fibromyalgia. Take a glass of freshly prepared juice of these raw Vegetables 2-3 times a day.
• Take balanced diet including plenty of Roughage, Cabbage, salads, Carrot, reddish, etc. Patient should also take plenty of fluid like plain water and freshly prepared juice in the diet.
• Restrict intake of sweets and sugar containing foods.
• Exercise and meditation are very important for the Fibromyalgia patients.
• Try to live a stressful life.
• Take proper sleep of at least 7-8 hours.
• Prepare a mixture of Olive Oil and kerosene oil in equal quantity and massage gently 2-3 times a day for a month.
• Avoid excess intake of oily or junk food.
Fibromyalgia Treatment Actions
Fibromyalgia Treatment Actions
• Anti-Rheumatics general value to body system is helpful.
• Anti-Inflammatories are especially beneficial if there is much sensitivity to touch.
• Alteratives are helpful if there is a suspicion of a systemic problem.
• Anti-Spasmodics ease any associated muscular tension, often the core of this problem.
• Circulatory Stimulants may help by increasing local circulation.
• Rubefacients stimulate circulatory activity, thus increasing removal of tissue waste and the local supply of oxygen and nutrients.
• Analgesics are of limited, symptomatic value only.
• Diuretics appear to be very effective in easing vague rheumatic aches and pains.
• Nervines may be helpful.
Specific Remedies for Fibromyalgia (Rheumatism)
• Most of the salicylate-containing Anti-Inflammatory herbs are considered specific remedies Meadowsweet, Wintergreen, Poplar, Willow Bark, Angelica, and Celery Seeds
An Anti-Spasmodic Rub
• Lobelia (1 part)
• Cramp Bark (1 part)
Dosage: Rub tincture mixture into painful muscles as needed.
Actions Supplied by Fibromyalgia Prescriptions
• Anti-Inflammatory (Angelica, Willow, Cramp Bark)
• Anti-Spasmodic (Lobelia, Cramp Bark)
• Alterative (Nettle)
• Diuretic (Angelica, Nettle)
Food Remedies for Fibromyalgia
• Papaya Seeds – Raw Papaya is commonly used in treating Fibromyalgia. Grind 8-10 Papaya seeds and mix it in a glass of water, bring it to Boil and later drain it and take 2-3 times a day for a month.
• Lemon Juice – Patient should be given freshly prepared Lemon juice with Raw Honey. Take 2-3 teaspoons of Raw Honey and Lemon juice each and mix it in a glass of lukewarm water.
• Coconut – Coconut Water and Coconut Milk is also good for Fibromyalgia.
• Vinegar – Apply warm Vinegar over the affected muscles.
• Ginger – Ginger is a natural home remedy that is very effective for the treatment of Fibromyalgia. Patient should take 2-3 tablespoon of Ginger juice 2-3 times a day.
• Turmeric – Turmeric is very effective home remedy for the treatment of Fibromyalgia, giving fast relief from muscular pain. Take 1-2 teaspoon of Turmeric powder in a glass of water 2-3 times a day.
Herbal Remedies for Fibromyalgia
