Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that is as little known as it is painfully real. Just a few decades ago, this syndrome was considered to be either simply inexistent, or just a form of depression.
Nowadays though, most of the professionals out there agree that Fibromyalgia is a syndrome in itself and that there may be a wide variety of causes to trigger its development.
When it comes to these causes, opinions are split among the medical professionals. Some simply say that there is no actual cause, while some link the development of this syndrome with the levels of serotonin in the brain.
Also, some of the specialists believe that Fibromyalgia is linked to a traumatic event, stress, and other types of illness and/or that the hereditary factors may play a very important part.
Although its causes may be relatively unknown, and its symptoms may sometimes be as confusing as the causes, one thing is sure about Fibromyalgia: its symptoms can be relieved.
Most of the times, the doctors will recommend a combination of drugs and alternative remedies to help patients relieve themselves from pain, depression, anxiety, sleep issues and the other symptoms and disorders that are commonly linked to Fibromyalgia.
While the prescription of drugs is up to the doctor and you cannot do anything about it on your own, the other half of the prescriptions may help you in ways you did not think it was possible. Natural remedies can have an amazing effect on Fibromyalgia patients and, believe it or not, they can actually relieve you from pain.
One of the most common and easiest things you can do is to change your diet. Although unhealthy eating may not be an actual trigger of this syndrome, it can worsen its symptoms considerably. Foods containing additives, for instance, may irritate the bowels and if your bowels are already irritable, you will most likely want to avoid anything that may make it worse.
Furthermore, coffee, caffeinated products and sweets may make you feel good for a short amount of time and they may make you feel like making up for the sleepless nights, but in the end, they will only worsen your sleep issues and they will push you into a vicious cycle.
Instead, put a lot of emphasis on fatty acids contained by olive oil, fatty fish (salmon, tuna), nuts, and so on. These foods will give you a general state of well-being, you will start feeling more energized and your body will be in a better state.
Furthermore, there is a series of herbs that may ameliorate various Fibromyalgia symptoms. For instance, chamomile tea can be extremely relaxing and it can help you fall asleep easier. Lavender oil can have the same effect and so can the passionflower.
Other herbs, for instance, may have an energizing effect, but you will have to make sure not to use them other time than the mornings, since you do not want to be energized right before bedtime.
What may surprise you is the fact that cayenne pepper can act as an analgesic and that, as long as you use it with measure, it can help relieving you from pain. Furthermore, there are creams and oils based on cayenne pepper that, applied on the painful area, will help with the pain as well, since it will help increasing the circulation and it will warm up the area.
Ginger and ginseng will also have analgesic effects and they are quite well-known for that. Even more, they are very healthy additions to your diet even when you don’t suffer from Fibromyalgia.
Another natural remedy you can take benefit from is exercising. Of course, it will have to be of a low impact, but as long as you do not strain yourself too much, there will only be good things coming out of it.
A bit of stretching or low-impact yoga can help releasing endorphins and it can help with the muscle pain. Make sure you do talk to your doctor about this though and that you will not force your body too much since you can achieve the exact opposite if you do so.
Oriental remedies, such as acupuncture and Tai-Chi, are also believed to relieve patients from a series of Fibromyalgia symptoms (and pain is the most important of them). If you are willing to try these out, you may discover that they are actually very beneficial for you.
The most important thing is to stay positive though. A positive attitude will help you get through more graciously. Furthermore, you will be less inclined to feel depressed and anxious and that will help a lot with the development of your treatment!
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