Do you ever think about how fibromyalgia and blood vessels affect each other? Is there a connection? I often say that fibromyalgia is complex and affects multiple systems in the body. When you think about fibromyalgia, you think about the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, GI tract, brain, etc. But do you ever think about your blood vessels and what they are really doing there in your body? And, what does fibromyalgia have to do with…
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that involves excessive sweating that isn’t the result of physical exertion or exposure to intense heat. The sweating may impact the hands or feet, underarms and even the face. In order to receive the diagnosis, patients must routinely exhibit at least one instance of intense sweating each week during wakeful hours. Close to 3 percent of the U.S. population has received this diagnosis, which translates to approximately 8 million people. This number is potentially much…
You probably already suspect that fibromyalgia pain and weather changes tend to interplay with each other. As human beings, we tend to talk about the weather a lot. For many people, it might be more in terms of a disruption to their planned activities or just making small talk. However, for those of us with fibromyalgia, the weather changes can cause many symptoms to increase and really affect our overall well-being. There is a phenomenon…
The Nervous System in Fibromyalgia You likely already know about the connection between the nervous system and fibromyalgia. You likely know that fibromyalgia is complex too, but we know that many times, the nervous system is at the heart of many symptoms. Research in recent years continues to prove that this is truly a physical condition that is connected to a dysfunction in the nervous system but affects various other systems of the body. You are…
Sometimes fibromyalgia and skin conditions that cannot be explained cause even more issues for someone already suffering other common symptoms of fibromyalgia. We know that when asked what fibromyalgia is, most people will say that it’s a condition that causes pain throughout the body. However, we often talk about the additional symptoms that have nothing to do with muscle, nerve or joint pain. These symptoms are often overlooked because they seem minor compared to the pain,…
Some people with fibromyalgia also suffer from interstitial cystitis which can further hinder their quality of life. Your bladder is an all-important muscular organ designed to collect urine until you can relieve yourself. It expands as urine is deposited, sending signals of fullness through the pelvic nerves up to the brain. Because of the strong connection between fibromyalgia and the nervous system, it’s not surprising that the bladder is impacted for many with fibromyalgia. After all, those…
If you have ever had this experience, you will know that symptoms around fibromyalgia and the heart can give you quite a scare. This all-important muscular organ does an amazing job for us every day. Maybe even more so when other conditions are present. Fibromyalgia seems to come with every pain sensation imaginable, and that includes chest pain. Many will go to the emergency room at least once because they think that they’re having a…
Yes, men also get fibromyalgia, so just how do they cope? I feel a great sense of compassion when I receive messages from men with fibromyalgia. Although the diagnosis is not easy for any of us, a man can feel an additional blow to his purpose, and the need to always be the provider for his family when living with a condition that can really test a person’s strength and resilience. So, to answer that…
Is there a connection between fibromyalgia and immune health status? Yes, especially when we are living with fibromyalgia and its primary co-conditions of CFS/ME and MCS. (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) These co-conditions can be affected by dysfunction in both the mitochondria and the immune system. Links to these related conditions are listed at the bottom of this article. Update on protection against viruses Due to the recent spread of coronavirus, I…
Many women livings with fibromyalgia and menopause have a fear of going into menopause that is either natural or induced surgically through hysterectomy. More than ever before we have to address lifestyle factors and what I like to call “menopause essentials” in order to avoid the pitfalls often associated with fibromyalgia and menopause. I want to stress something of great importance here. Avoid saying and thinking that your fibromyalgia will get worse during or after…