Fibromyalgia and Fatigue

By Dr Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 06/20/2007 at 11:06AM

More than four million people in the United States are currently diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that is characterized by widespread pain throughout the body and tenderness in localized areas of the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips, sometimes referred to as tender points or pressure points. It affects people of all ages, races, and gender, although it occurs most frequently in women between the ages of thirty to fifty years old.

Fibromyalgia is also known as Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Fibromyositis, Fibrositis, or Myofascial pain syndrome. It produces chronic pain of the soft tissues that may include the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Fibromyalgia is also associated with a number of other symptoms including temperature sensitivities; numbness and tingling that may travel throughout the body, insomnia, concentration problems, digestive disorders, headaches, joint stiffness, depression, and fatigue. The fatigue associated with fibromyalgia can become just as debilitating as the pain of the condition.

What Causes The Fatigue of Fibromyalgia?

Research has shown that fibromyalgia is clearly associated with sleep disturbances that disrupt a person's ability to achieve a deep level of restorative sleep throughout the night. Most people sleep in cycles, drifting effortlessly between levels of light sleep, and deep REM sleep. However, for people who suffer from fibromyalgia, the body may not be able to enter a state of deep sleep. This is why people with this condition tend to wake up feeling exhausted, even though they do not recall waking up in the night.

Some scientists believe that fibromyalgia is caused by the body’s attempt to rid itself of harmful toxins and protect itself from further damage. In this situation, the theory is that toxins cause the body to shut down due to over stressing the body. When this occurs, rest is no longer enough to restore proper function.

In order to reduce the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia, one needs to undertake a holistic approach to management that entails nutritional counseling, detoxification, conditioning and exercise programs, alternative therapies such as acupressure and massage, stress management and relaxation techniques as well as, some lifestyle changes.

The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

In addition to pain and fatigue, fibromyalgia is also associated with other body disturbances, including:

Cognitive difficulties
Headaches or migraines
Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. The best way to treat these conditions is with a product called Oxy-Powder available at http://www.oxypowder.com/
Stiffness and aching throughout the body. A topical pain relief product can be found at http://www.ghchealth.com/
Muscle spasms and weakness
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
Sleep disturbances
Temperature sensitivities
Anxiety and depression. Help is available at http://www.stress-anxiety-depression.org/

Managing The Fatigue of Fibromyalgia

Dietary Changes

The body needs at least forty vitamins and minerals each day in order to maintain and repair cells. These nutrients become even more important for those who suffer from fibromyalgia, as the condition is associated with a malabsorption of nutrients. Fibromyalgia sufferers need to pay special attention to their dietary needs to ensure that they receive an adequate supply of nutrients. Here are a few tips to get the proper nutrition you need.

Reduce your intake of refined sugar and simple carbohydrates. These foods tend to stress the body and aggravate the symptoms of fibromyalgia
Increase water intake. Water helps to improve the circulation and move nutrients throughout the body.
Take a quality dietary supplement. A vitamin and mineral supplement helps to bridge the gap between dietary needs and food choices. Always be sure to talk with your health care provider before adding any new medication or supplement to your diet. The product Fibro-Balance has shown the best results with treating Fibromyalgia.

Lifestyle Changes

The pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia can be managed more efficiently if you can allow yourself more time to perform activities and adequate rest between each activity. Rest is especially important in reducing both mental and physical stress. Try to maintain a sleep schedule in which you get to bed and wake up at about the same time each day. Even if you initially have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night, a sleep schedule can better prepare your body for the rest it needs. Stress management techniques are also beneficial in reducing the pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia.

Exercise

It is difficult to think about exercising when one is exhausted and riddled with pain. However, slow, gentle exercises can be wonderfully healing for fibromyalgia sufferers. Exercise helps to improve the circulation, increase muscle strength, reduce joint stiffness, improve the range of motion in joints, improve sleep, increase energy levels and alleviate depression. All of these benefits are especially important when battling fibromyalgia. Talk with your health care provider or physical therapist about developing an exercise routine that will work best for you. If you are not already exercising, incorporate these new routines into your program slowly, so as not to traumatize the muscles or jar the sensitive joints. Exercises such as walking, swimming, riding a stationary bike, water aerobics, yoga, pilates and tai chi are excellent low-impact exercises that can help reduce the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia. In some cases of fibromyalgia, unexpected weight gain can occur. If this is a problem, a good resource for losing weight is http://www.weightlossobesity.com/

DISCLAIMER: The statements enclosed herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information mentioned on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information and statements made are for education purposes only and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor. Global Healing Center does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. We design and recommend individual nutritional programs and supplements that allow the body to rebuild and heal itself naturally. The views and nutritional advice expressed by www.fibromyalgia-support.org are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition, see your physician of choice. This web site contains links to web sites operated by other parties. Such links are provided for your convenience and reference only. We are not responsible for the content or products of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site.