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Fibromyalgia is a nasty illness that makes life miserable and can lay people low for long periods. It will certainly become better known given the sad news that Lady Gaga is suffering from it and has cancelled her huge European tour. It's too late her many disappointed fans but an accidental by-product is that more people will now know about the illness and how to treat it.
First, what is fibromyalgia? There is no definitive test as yet but its symptoms include generalised aching, muscle pains, trigger points around tendon insertions, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and poor sleep. It may affect as many as one in twenty people.
The cause of fibromyalgia is unclear but it can be initiated by poor sleep, emotional stress, infection, or a traumatic event. It is often associated with reduced 'delta sleep' - the deep stage of sleep in the first part of the night that analysts think has a vital restorative function. Other symptoms include a reduced threshold to pain perception and tolerance, adrenal depletion, and abnormal growth hormone levels.
The orthodox treatment for fibromyalgia includes pain relief with NSAIDs, antidepressants, and sleep medications. But there are possible side effects.
Herbal treatment can offer more. It is a gentle treatment with few side effects that acts on the body as a whole to normalise function. It can be varied so that it treats the possible cause and reduces the symptoms experienced by each individual.
The actions of herbs that may be selected include nerve tonics to help manage pain. Adrenal tonics and adaptogens to normalise cortisol release from the adrenal gland, immune modulating herbs, anti-inflammatory and analgesic herbs, herbs that reduce anxiety and reduce sympathetic nerve over activity to help promote sleep and herbs that increase blood supply to tissue.
Treating fibromyalgia with a combination of herbal medicines plus improving diet and exercise is an effective way to treat this debilitating condition. I wish Lady Gaga a quick recovery and that she can get back on the road soon.
First, what is fibromyalgia? There is no definitive test as yet but its symptoms include generalised aching, muscle pains, trigger points around tendon insertions, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and poor sleep. It may affect as many as one in twenty people.
The cause of fibromyalgia is unclear but it can be initiated by poor sleep, emotional stress, infection, or a traumatic event. It is often associated with reduced 'delta sleep' - the deep stage of sleep in the first part of the night that analysts think has a vital restorative function. Other symptoms include a reduced threshold to pain perception and tolerance, adrenal depletion, and abnormal growth hormone levels.
The orthodox treatment for fibromyalgia includes pain relief with NSAIDs, antidepressants, and sleep medications. But there are possible side effects.
Herbal treatment can offer more. It is a gentle treatment with few side effects that acts on the body as a whole to normalise function. It can be varied so that it treats the possible cause and reduces the symptoms experienced by each individual.
The actions of herbs that may be selected include nerve tonics to help manage pain. Adrenal tonics and adaptogens to normalise cortisol release from the adrenal gland, immune modulating herbs, anti-inflammatory and analgesic herbs, herbs that reduce anxiety and reduce sympathetic nerve over activity to help promote sleep and herbs that increase blood supply to tissue.
Treating fibromyalgia with a combination of herbal medicines plus improving diet and exercise is an effective way to treat this debilitating condition. I wish Lady Gaga a quick recovery and that she can get back on the road soon.
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