| > | | | | correlation between menopause and fibromyalgia |
| Fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases | | | | is uncertain, due to the lack of research on the |
| affecting the muscles, tendons, and joints in | | | | subject. Fortunately, more tests are being |
| women. Symptoms include long-term muscle | | | | conducted to find out how declining estrogen |
| soreness, muscle stiffness, sleeplessness, fatigue, | | | | levels affect the onset of fibromyalgia. On-going |
| mood changes, anxiety and depression. | | | | research is being conducted that may suggest |
| Fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases | | | | abnormally low levels of the hormone Cortisol, |
| affecting the muscles, tendons, and joints in | | | | which is the hormone produced by the adrenal |
| women. Many health care professionals still do not | | | | gland may also be a linked cause. |
| recognize the condition as a disorder, most likely, | | | | Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this |
| because x-rays, blood tests, and biopsies often | | | | disorder or completely cure it, eitherÂ… |
| show no prevalent evidence to support the | | | | Therefore, most treatment’s center on |
| patient’s complaints. However, in recent | | | | conquering the symptoms associated with |
| years, the use of thermographs, a device that | | | | fibromyalgia. Treatments for women suffering |
| tests and measures the heat produced by areas | | | | from fibromyalgia vary according to symptoms. |
| of the body, has helped diagnose the condition. | | | | In some cases, physical therapy or light exercise |
| Studies indicate that fibromyalgia patients have | | | | may be prescribed. Research has shown that the |
| decreased blood flow and decreased skin | | | | use of ice immediately following any exercise may |
| temperatures in sites of tenderness. Symptoms | | | | decrease muscle and joint pain. The use of |
| include long-term muscle soreness, muscle | | | | tricyclic anti-depressants usually used in treating |
| stiffness, sleeplessness, fatigue, mood changes, | | | | depression; has also been shown to be an |
| anxiety and depression. Often times the condition | | | | effective medication for treating firbromyalgia. |
| is worsened by stress and weather changes. | | | | These medications usually relieve depression, |
| Unlike other rheumatic conditions that cause | | | | anxiety, reduce fatigue, and restores effective |
| swelling and inflammation of the tissues in the | | | | sleep patterns. Some physicians may prescribe |
| body, fibromyalgia does not cause any type of | | | | local injections of analgesics to the sore or stiff |
| joint deformity or does not damage any internal | | | | areas. The use of pain-relievers and muscle |
| organs. | | | | relaxers has both been beneficial in reducing pain |
| Many times, patients that suffer with fibromyalgia | | | | symptoms and improving sleep. Often times, |
| have other conditions or disorders that will occur. | | | | doctors will discuss pain and stress management |
| One of the most common disorders associated | | | | to their patients; which can eliminate some |
| with fibromyalgia is TMJ, a disorder associated | | | | symptoms of the disorder. |
| with the jaw. Many sufferers of fibromyalgia may | | | | Diet plays an important role in the prevention of |
| be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as | | | | symptoms concerning fibromyalgia. Eating organic |
| well. Some patients complain of migraine or | | | | foods, such as fruits and vegetables; increasing |
| tension headaches, irritable bowel and bladder | | | | the intake of low-fat, high fiber foods; those high |
| syndromes. Some women may develop a loss in | | | | in Omega-3 Fatty acids, found in fish may benefit |
| memory and concentration. Fibrocystic Breast | | | | sufferers. Some physicians suggest lowering |
| Disease and Endometriosis is often present in | | | | sodium rich foods or eliminating additives such as |
| women that have fibromyalgia, although there has | | | | monosodium glutamate (MSG’s) and |
| been no studies conducted regarding the | | | | artificial sweeteners, like Aspartame may relieve |
| correlation of the two. | | | | many symptoms of fibromyalgia. And recent |
| Causes of this condition is still unknown, many | | | | studies indicate the use of a vegan diet may help |
| experts are researching the relationship between | | | | alleviate symptoms. Alternative treatments, |
| menopause and fibromyalgia. Most women are | | | | specifically in the field of homeopathic remedies, |
| diagnosed with this condition between the ages of | | | | suggest taking magnesium, B-12 Vitamins, and |
| 40 to 55 which is when menopause usually | | | | Vitamin C. |
| occurs, and approximately 85%-90% of all | | | | Other non-medical treatments involve massage |
| reported Fibromyalgia conditions are women. | | | | therapy, heat therapy and cold packs that may |
| Hormonal changes, such as the decreased | | | | temporarily relieve symptoms. The use of |
| amounts of estrogen in the female body, may | | | | Hydrotherapy or water therapy can increase |
| contribute to symptoms like anxiety, depression, | | | | circulation and decrease muscle aches. Currently, |
| and sleeplessness in fibromyalgia patients. | | | | there are studies being conducted that may offer |
| Research shows, however, that estrogen and | | | | more treatments or one specific treatment for |
| progesterone replacement therapy is not that | | | | helping relieve fibromyalgia symptoms. |
| beneficial to fibromyalgia sufferers. There are mild | | | | Women suffering with this disorder may find |
| benefits reported when using the estrogen | | | | themselves withdrawing from society due to the |
| patches rather than the estrogen pills. Some | | | | pain and anxiety associated with fibromyalgia. |
| studies indicate that the low thyroid function and | | | | Many times, women find themselves unable to |
| decreased levels of thyroid hormones, as well as | | | | work a physical or stressful job. The best advice |
| estrogen and progesterone hormones, may | | | | is to seek treatment and maintain a healthy |
| contribute to muscular pain, fatigue, mood | | | | lifestyle, which includes light exercise, good eating |
| changes, and anxiety. At the present time the | | | | habits, and staying active in both, work and life. |