Stop Smoking: Harmful Compounds of Smoking

Smoking cigarettes comes with a lot of toxic substances that cause nothing but harmful repercussions in one’s life. Listing all of the effects of smoking would not necessarily be helpful. What should be known is that in medicine, the essential thing is the dosage.

Most of the harmful substances found when smoking cigarettes only come in mere nanograms per stick. However, with so many of them in a single cigarette, they end up amounting to a significant quantity.

Tar is a major part that can be found when smoking cigarettes and usually amounts to around 10-14 mg per cigarette. Cigarettes referred to as ‘low tar’ also contain around 8 or 9 mg of tar. Either way, smoking cigarettes induces a black substance called tar that surrounds the lungs and interferes with the alveoli’s actions. The alveoli consist of the lungs’ tiny sacs and make it possible for oxygen to enter the bloodstream, which makes their actions essential for life. Through smoking, this action is hindered and may also be prevented by low quantities of carbon monoxide (CO).

Once in the blood, carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin, which plays an important part in moving oxygen all around the body. Due to smoking, CO gets into the mix and oxygen becomes trapped and therefore unavailable to the body. Even at its lowes concentration, lack of oxygen may cause severe headaches. And this is always present when smoking cigarettes.

Nicotine is another factor one must take into consideration when smoking. In fact, it is because of nicotine addiction that people keep smoking in the first place. Although nicotine in itself isn’t actually addictive, it releases dopamine in the brain that makes people feel good whenever they are smoking. Withdrawal from nicotine addiction usually comes from these lowered dopamine levels.

The average amount of nicotine in a cigarette is 1.2 mg, but this differs brand by brand. And although the human body takes in less of a compound than is actually in smoking, 70% of it is still inhaled. Most smokers finish several cigarettes daily, which will amount to an average of 20-40 mg daily.

But even despite these statistics, even the smallest amount associated to smoking can do a huge amount of harm, most of all since some body systems are more sensitive than others.

Cigarette smoking comes with huge amounts of various organic compounds. And even if ‘organic’ is used to describe merely healthy things in today’s world; in science, it simply means it has carbon in it. Contrary to popular belief, not all organic compounds are beneficial to human beings. Benzene is one example, and it is commonly found when smoking cigarettes, as well.

The harmful factors mentioned above are only a few that are associated with cigarette smoking. These usually grow in the lungs, as well as other parts of the body. According to the National Institute of Cancer, around 87% of lung cancer cases and 30% of all cancer cases can be attributed to cigarette smoking alone. They can all be prevented, though, so try to re-consider your smoking habits and think about what you’re putting in your body.

Alcohol Addiction – The Effects

First beer or glass of wine, second, third …..your peers keep pouring till you have lost count. First you lost count of the drinks, then you lost count of money spent, then you lost count of the time spent … And finally you are spent. Spent of relationships or family, spent of job, spent of ambition, spent of self-worth… Enter the realm of alcohol addiction.

Unable to cope with mental torture posed by the difficulties in life, some who are low in self-confidence try to find relief in alcohol. Initially they booze to find relief from mental torture by the problems in life. Booze boosts their confidence levels. They feel comfortable among others with alcohol on them. Having tasted the pleasure in this, they do this repeatedly. Alcohol addiction sets in.

They start missing out on school and work. They create trouble both at home and school or office. Family relationships and work place relationships both suffer. Friends are lost. Memory loss takes place more too often. They swindle money to buy alcohol. They have a tryst with the cops. They know what they are doing is wrong. They try to give up on alcoholism. But fail. They feel guilty and miserable. Later they booze to find relief from withdrawal symptoms of alcohol addiction.

Withdrawal symptoms of alcohol addiction range from tremors in their body to hallucinations. The effect of alcohols, change over time and over repeated alcohol abuse. Severe cases end up with cardio disorders, liver and kidney problems, stomach disorders, sexual dysfunction, bone loss, nervous disorders and an increased risk to cancer.

Alcohol addiction brings about other social consequences as well. Many of the traffic deaths, drowning, fire accidents, murders and suicides can be linked to alcohol addiction. Closer home, child abuse, domestic violence and family breakups could be fallout of alcohol addiction.

The alcohol addicts themselves are known to be mostly from families who abused alcohol. Those with emotional disparity are more likely to abuse alcohol. Men are more prone to have alcohol addiction. Genetically too some are more predisposed to becoming an alcohol addict. The earlier in life they get addicted, the more longer and less likely are the chances of rehabilitation.

Addiction treatment involves weekly one-to-one counseling if the addiction is less severe. For more intense cases intensive inpatient care in hospitals is provided. The addict is made to go through detoxification.

Alcohol treatment allows the addict to first continue with alcohol intake but with a reduced frequency and quantity. This is to allow time for his body to cope with withdrawal symptoms. Slowly over the days he is weaned off alcohol completely. Simultaneously he is also put on medications to curb his mood swings and desire for alcohol. Lifetime prescriptions of lifestyle changes are given to him. He has to be careful not to relapse. His family too has to keep a watch on him.

Alcohol anonymous, a support group, can also help the addict with addiction rehab. They have their centre in a number of places and they offer individual as well as group therapies.

Diabetes – Symptoms Indicating Diabetes

The symptoms indicative of diabetes overlap with those of other ailments. Hence it is very difficult to zero down to diabetes by looking at the symptoms alone. The difficulty gets compounded when the symptoms keep appearing and disappearing. Yet, over the years, certain symptoms have come to be identified with diabetes with reasonable accuracy.

One definate indicator of diabetes is frequent and excessive urination. The body causes this to cleanse the blood of excess glucose. Excess glucose gets left in the blood because of inadequate or absence of insulin to help the cells absorb glucose, as in Type 1 diabetes. Inability to use insulin in the body is as in Type 2 diabetes.

Glucose in excess in the blood is harmful to the body. The immune system of the body gets worked up and tries to pass out this excess through urine. Kidneys have to work overtime to get this done. When they are not able to process, this excess is routed out through other channels of metabolic wastes.

Another indicator of the presence of diabetes is insatiable thirst. The need for more water is to compensate for the fluids lost by way of urination. Urination is pre-empted by excess water intake. This goes on cyclically.

Chronic weariness which does not find circumstantial explanation could be attributed to diabetes. Glucose is what provides energy to the cells to perform their functions. When glucose does not reach the cells, the cells are deprived of energy and hence become lax and lag behind in performance. The afflicted thus feels weary.

The incidence of insulin and glucose in the body causing diabetes is just one part of the saga. There are ailments which get triggered off by diabetes. These ailments turn up as symptoms which indirectly point out the presence of diabetes.

Presbyopia is a geriatric vision related ailment wherein the afflicted loses elasticity in the eye lenses. The condition results in blurry vision and inability to focus. This could even be caused by diabetes.

The tissues and the lenses in the eyes get less fluid when the level of glucose is high in the blood. The eyes are not able to focus. Further down, the condition aggravates enough to form new retinal vessels of blood. Under these circumstances, the eyes lose vision, or one encounters disturbed vision. Often one sees flashing light, stars and halo around the lights in the room.

Wounds in the body not healing in time, is another indication of presence of diabetes. Diabetes makes the immune system slow or unable to tackle infections. At times the portion of the body with the wound has to be amputated.

The presence of these symptoms by themselves, do not indicate diabetes. But the presence of these symptoms should prompt one to have a test for diabetes done with urgency. Procrastination could lead to losing an arm or a leg or an eye. A simple blood test and urine test is all that needs to be done to verify the presence or otherwise of the disease.

Diabetes – How to Manage Diabetes with Diet

Diet has the capacity to manage diabetes.

Those who are genetically disposed to diabetes will get afflicted no matter how less sugar they consume. Even otherwise, just consuming less sugar does not ensure adequate protection from diabetes. Diabetes arises out of a complex matrix of body conditions not deciphered by the medical research faculty yet. But yes, sugar in diet does have a role is causing diabetes.

It is well known that those who consume high levels of sugar in their diet are prone to be obese. The obese with large portions of their weight hanging around their waist are the ones who are the target of Type 2 diabetes.

It all boils down to a healthy balanced diet being suitable for everyone, those afflicted or otherwise with diabetes. A healthy balanced diet is one which consists of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals in correct proportions. It should include grains, fruits and vegetables. It should also include fats and sugars in moderation.

Fats and sugars despite their harmful effects need to be consumed. Some fats are good which form good cholesterol and some are bad which form unhealthy cholesterol in the body. Care should be taken to select and consume the ones which form good cholesterol. Carbohydrates being the main element getting converted to glucose directly should be monitored with extra caution.

Fats weigh double in calories when compared to other components of diet.
Calorie intake should also be monitored. Tipping over the limit will lead to increase in weight which affects the diabetic more than others. The overweight among the diabetics need to consult a dietician to work out a diet plan customized to their individual conditions and not just reduce the overall food intake.

Maintaining a diary of daily food intake and glucose level readings whenever taken helps one analyse the relation between their diet and the glucose level in their blood. This helps in devising a personal diet plan to regulate glucose level in their body. A routine diet will help better regulate the glucose level in the body.

Some are advised to consume diet in small quantities more number of times over the day so that measured amounts of glucose is released into the body at a given time interval. Yet others are advised to take more of fibrous diet which takes longer to digest and thereby longer to release glucose into the body.

Working out a personalized diet plan, sticking to it in the present, allowing for gradual tuning in future, is the key to successfully managing diabetes. The repercussions of diabetes in future cannot be predicted but certainly curtailed through diet.

Diabetes – Diabetes in Detail

All of us have heard of diabetes. All of us know people who suffer from diabetes. Diabetes is so widespread a disease. Yet, many of us hardly know what diabetes is.

A person is said to be afflicted with diabetes when the blood glucose levels in the body are found to be away from the normal range, chronically. The body is unable to secrete enough insulin or is able to secrete enough insulin but the uptake of insulin by the body is low.

A lower amount of insulin production indicates Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is genetically acquired and may also afflict a person while they are still young. The immune system of the afflicted, do not function well and affect the pancreas, the insulin manufacturer of the body.

A lower amount of insulin uptake indicates Type 2 diabetes. This is the most prevalent one, accounting to ninety percent of the diabetes cases. Seven percent of U.S. population, mostly the elderly, are afflicted with Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is aggravated by lifestyle factors like unhealthy food intake, excess intake, stress and sedentary lives.

Gestational diabetes affects some three percent of the pregnant women in their last semester of pregnancy. They normalise soon after delivery of the baby.

Highly frequent excessive urination and unexplainable thirst are the characteristic symptoms of diabetes. Though, these symptoms do not necessarily point to diabetic conditions. A blood glucose test alone can confirm the presence of diabetic conditions in the body.

The body tries to wash out the glucose overload in the blood through frequent and more urination. Thereafter the body tries to compensate for the loss of fluids by seeking more water. This is the reason why the diabetes afflicted is forever thirsty.

The carbohydrates in the food that we take, gets converted to glucose through the process of digestion. Insulin released by pancreas helps glucose move into the cells. Glucose provides energy to the cells to perform their functions, to repair themselves, etc.

A low production of insulin or inability of the body to use insulin results in diabetes. This condition of the body cannot be reverted back. But it can be managed with external inputs. Diet control, insulin injections, exercise and lifestyle changes are some of the ways to manage diabetes.

The extent of glucose released in the body can be controlled by controlling the quantity of carbohydrate and sugar consumed. The less the quantity of carbohydrate and sugar consumed, the less will be the quantity of glucose released.

The glucose released into the body can be used up well by way of exercise. Exercising needs energy. Energy is sourced from glucose. In short, more glucose gets used up when we exercise.

Insulin shortage in the body has to be replenished by oral medication and injections.

Unutilized glucose present in the blood can cause a chain of medical ailments depending on the degree of intensity of diabetes. A condition of diabetes should not be left untreated.

Diabetes – Key Facts About Diabetes

Diabetes is essentially a consequence of the higher than norm glucose level in the blood. Now with the advent of technology, technique and equipments to measure the glucose levels in the blood, it is just a matter of monitoring and controlling the levels. The glucose levels in the blood can be controlled by induction of insulin.

Insulin is the carrier of glucose from blood to the cells of the body. Diabetes is understood to be caused because of inadequate production of insulin by the body or inability of the body to use the insulin produced. The dynamics of insulin production and insulin uptake by the body are still unknown.

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is characterised by inadequate level of insulin production. Type 2 diabetes is characterised by inadequate uptake of insulin.

Diabetes specialised doctors believe the cause of diabetes to be genes, lifestyle and environment factors. Type 1 diabetes is said to be caused mainly because of carrier genes and attacks even at childhood. Some three percent of pregnant women suffer diabetes during their trimester. But the glucose level in their body normalizes soon after delivery. Asians are known to be more susceptible to diabetes than those belonging to the Caucasian race.

Whether it is Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, the symptoms are more or less the same. The afflicted person is forever thirsty and consumes large quantity of water. He also passes urine in large quantities and more frequently. This is more than proportionate to the quantity of water consumed. But these symptoms alone should not make one come to the conclusion that one has diabetes. For instance, thirst could be because of thyroid problems and abnormal urination could be because of kidney problem. It is advisable to get oneself tested by a health care provider.

Test for diabetes starts with a small prick in the finger for blood sample. Sometimes two tests are taken one on empty stomach and another after consumption of sugary juice.

A blood glucose level between 70 to 110 mg/dL is said to be normal. A diabetic patient could be suffering from low glucose or high glucose levels. If the test reports confirm diabetes, the person should thereafter monitor the blood glucose levels at intervals suggested by the health care provider.

A diabetic need not necessarily go to a laboratory to get himself tested. Blood glucose measuring palm held devices are available. A drop of blood of the diabetic is wiped on a strip and fed into the device. Instantaneously it outputs the blood glucose level on its display screen. Advanced devices direct infrared rays through the skin to directly measure the blood glucose level.

Some diabetics need to just follow a diet and exercise regimen to maintain their glucose levels. Some need to take medicines regularly. While more severe cases of diabetics need to inject insulin shots in the prescribed dosage. Nowadays inhalers are also available as a method of treatment for diabetes.

For certainty none would like to have a brush with diabetes. The complications arising out of diabetes could be deadly. So if it does descend on you take help. The treatment methods are simple to follow. Live a life of discipline. Discipline diabetes.

Gut Health – Maintaining Gut Health

It is tantamount for the gut to have a proper balance of good and bad bacteria for good gut health. The good bacteria are known as probiotics. Yoghurt is rich in this. Cheese, kefir, fermented vegetables are a few other examples. Prebiotics are non-digestible foods which enhance the growth of certain bacteria. They are present in dairy products, confectioneries, meats, onions, bananas, chicory, leeks, etc. Any deficiency in the body of these can be made up with gut health supplements.

A few gut health supplements are probiotics to enhance the flora of the gut, supplement of digestive enzymes, omega 3 fatty acids obtained from fish and flax seed, butyrate supplements to line the fag end of the colon, zinc supplements, in case the subject has lost zinc in a recent episode of diarrhea. Betaine hydrochloride and enzyme supplements to digest proteins (ulceration cases need to avoid). Kniepp wet packs, Cayce Palma Christi packs help contain gut gas formation. Ginger helps in facing nausea and flatulence. Anti-microbial herbs to chuck out infection causing parasites, over growth of bacteria, for examples, oregano oil, grape seed, olive leaf, caprylic acid, goldenseal.

Gut Health by RPN is a probiotic with rave gut health reviews by users, as a staple food supplement. It is known to reinforce the gut lining, destroy pathogens, reduce gut gas formation, improve digestion, reduce indigestion, reduce bloating and boost immune system.

A four step gut healing program, each to be followed by the other after 1-2 months:
1. Removal of inflammation in the gut by removing conventional unnatural foods from your diet.
2. Addition of digestive, pancreatic, liver enzymes through organic supplements.
3. Reinforcement of the gut with prebiotics which will also fight pathogens.
4. Repair of the gut with cod liver oil, aloe, licorice and vitamins.

A few home remedies to set right gut health which could be considered are:
1. Taking fresh flax seed – ground or pressed.
2. Reducing intake of refined carbohydrates and citrus juices.
3. Every meal could have a little whey in yoghurt, kefir or sour milk. Yoghurt made of goat’s milk helps gut healing and maintain gut health.
4. Consuming Vitamin K rich stuff like alfalfa, yolk of eggs, etc.
5. Taking sprouts having proteins in easily digestible form.
6. Consuming cod liver oil regularly.
7. Papaya juice and raw cabbage juice are good for gut health.
8. Herbs like comfrey, aloe vera, cinnamon, caraway, peppermint, chamomile are helpful. Aloe curbs the immune system from releasing poisons into the gut and helps gut healing.
9. Chronic diarrhoea could be contained with dried blueberry with cinnamon.
10. A millet cereal along with banana does much good.

A few simple tips which you may follow to have a squeaky clean and smooth functioning gut are chewing your food well, taking small portions of meals at frequent intervals, eating slowly and following a diet rich in whole grains, fibers, fresh fruits, raw vegetables, eggs and lean meat.

A gut health diet is no different from a balanced healthy diet. But yes it is different from the balanced healthy diets prescribed for reducing weight. Food allergens like dairy products and wheat could be avoided. Cold water and cold eatables could be avoided. Enough water intakes should be ensured. Physical and mental exercises like yoga helps a lot. A good sleep at the end of the day is a must.

Gut Health – Gut Disorders, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis

You need guts to do this, to do that…you would have often heard of this phrase ‘guts to do’. Today you will know how this phrase came about. Gut health gives you holistic health and as such making you capable of meeting any challenge thrown by life, physical or mental. And that is how the phrase came into being.

The gut or the technically known gastrointestinal tract starts right from our mouth and extends all the way up to our anus. Digestion and assimilation of food and absorption of essential nutrients from the food takes place in the gut.

Food is broken down into smaller portions and salivated in the mouth. Esophagus helps the food reach the stomach from the mouth. In the stomach the acids and enzymes secreted assimilate the food. Pancreas secretes alkaline juices into the stomach to neutralize acids and enzymes. Some portion of food gets absorbed by the stomach.

Further breakdown and absorption takes place in small intestine and large intestine. Gall bladder releases bile into the small intestine to enable it to break down fats. Liver receives the nutrients absorbed by stomach and intestines, through blood.

The gut is lined with mucus with trillions of both good and bad bacteria of some 400 species. The numbers in the colon are double that elsewhere. There are many parameters affecting these numbers like, age, gender, diet, medications being used, surgical procedure undergone, etc. They, among other functions, help resist infection, diseases and also promote immune system of the body. Ideally the number of good bacteria should exceed the number of bad bacteria to maintain good gut health.

The most likely disorders which are going to visit you if your gut health is not healthy are constipation, indigestion, diarrhea, gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, peptic ulcers, bowel cancer, diverticulitis , colonic diseases, etc.

The most likely causes which would have played truant with your gut health are inadequate digestive enzyme production, inadequate acid production, lack of good bacteria, bacterial infection, food allergens, sugary low fiber diet, sickness, antibiotics, aging and stress.

The symptoms which should set you running to the doctor are, marked change in bowels, blood in bowels, painful bowel movement, incomplete bowel movement, feeling of incomplete bowel movement, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, difficulty in swallowing, stomach ache just before or soon after meals, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weariness along with these other symptoms.

The tests likely to be performed to diagnose gut health problems:

1. ELISA food allergy test to find out the allergens which cause adverse reaction in an individual.
2. Stool analysis test for excess of parasites, bacteria, fungi in the gut.
3. Test to confirm the presence or otherwise of leaky gut. Sometimes a portion of the small intestinal wall becomes permeable (leaky gut) allowing harmful bacteria to seep through to other parts of the body and cause infection. This also leads to mal-absorption, disruption of blood sugar and insulin levels, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain and moodiness.
4. Test for poisonous gas in the gut is performed. Sometimes poisonous gases get released in the gut and absorbed by the body. Certain disorders ensue. The condition can also deplete the body of some minerals.

If your gut health is in disarray, take corrective gut healing steps to restore your gut health. Because you need guts to take on challenges other than maintaining gut health.

Fibromyalgia – Treatments, Remedies, Alternative Therapy

Since the fibromyalgia pain is very similar to pain associated with arthritis, hypothyroidism and polymyalgia rheumatica, tests are performed to rule out the presence of these problems and confirm presence of fibromyalgia.

Pain should have lasted more than three months, experienced on all four quadrants of the body and palpable at eleven out of eighteen fibromyalgia trigger points in the body to qualify as fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia treatments are there to reduce the symptoms through prescription medication, exercises, education and psychotherapy. There is no fibromyalgia cure in sight which anyone would advocate.

Lyrica and Provigil for Fibromyalgia are two well known fibromyalgia medications. Alternative and complementary medications are analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, COS-2 inhibitors, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, dopamine agonists and serotonin supplements.

Analgesics help reduce pain and stiffness in the muscles. Anti depressants help reduce depression and improve sleep. Anti-seizure drugs help control muscle spasms.

Physiotherapy and stretching exercises are prescribed to help maintain muscle and also reduce pain. This is followed by counselling, which is done to help one deal with mental stress which also causes fibromyalgia.

Lifestyle and home remedies:

Mild exercises performed as a daily routine will actually reduce the muscle pain. Exercises enhance blood circulation and relieve muscle pain. Likewise they also give relief from mental stress, a cause of fibromyalgia.

Going to bed at regular time, avoiding day time naps, not consuming anything a few hours before bed, making the bed and bedroom as comfortable as possible and finally going to bed without worries can give one a good night’s sleep.

One needs to pace the workload of the day well with intermittent rest periods. Despite the rest intervals work will get done effectively and efficiently. Work throughput and rewards from work will increase. Happiness ensues, reducing stress and reducing fibromyalgia too.

Eating healthy with a 30:30:40 ratios of carbohydrate, fat and protein is advocated. There is no specific fibromyalgia diet. But some food constituents have been found to trigger muscle pain like caffeine, alcohol, fatty dairy products, acidic foods, citric foods, white flour and white sugar.

Alternative treatments:

Meditation helps relieving the mind of stress and calms it. It increases the pain bearing threshold of the body. It helps one perceive the pain less and becoming immune to pain.

Yogic exercises are very mild exercises ideal for those who are already having muscle pain. It is an exercise of both body and mind. So mind is also de-stressed along with the body.

Fine needles are used to prick the human body at specific locations up to varied depths to bring about relief for specific problems. The idea behind acupuncture is to draw blood to the site of prick and along with it the essential nutrients to heal the affliction.

Chiropractors manipulate the spine at different points at different angles and differing pressures to bring about a specific effect to treat the problem at hand. Some stretching and massage is also given.

Massages helps the body release its natural pain killers and subsidise the pain in the muscles. Massages help bring in nutrients to the site of pain through improved blood circulation. This heals the muscles faster and brings about fibromyalgia relief.

Fibromyalgia support groups provide a lot of information on the medical condition. One may keep oneself abreast of happenings in this domain and make use of the latest available treatments.

The afflicted may be encouraged to join a group of people with similar affliction. The sense of belonging and sharing of coping strategies with the peers brings a renewed sense of purpose, the purpose of overcoming fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia – Symptoms, Causes, Targets, Course

What is Fibromyalgia?

The Latin word ‘fibra’ meaning fiber, Greek word ‘myo’ meaning muscle and ‘algos’ meaning pain combine, to name the medical ailment, fibromyalgia.

Chronic pain in the muscle (lasting three months or more) is referred to as Fibromyalgia. It is often accompanied with tenderness of the muscle, fatigue, disturbed sleep and memory lapses. It is also referred to as Fibromyalgia syndrome because the pain is often associated with several other symptoms including dysfunction of the cognitive and motor abilities of the afflicted.

Some medical specialists do not recognise this as a disease because the medical condition is not amenable to lab tests and imaging tests to confirm diagnosis. Yet another school of thought believe it to be a central nervous system disorder which is amenable to research and manifestation as clinical symptoms.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia:

Chronic pain in the affected muscle apart there are a few other symptoms which typify the presence of Fibromyalgia. Muscle spasms, extreme fatigue, headaches, disturbed sleep ( restless leg syndrome, sleep apnoea, sleep but do not feel rested), stiffness in the joint close to the muscle, pelvic pain, discomfort while swallowing, bowel dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, temporomandibular joint disorder, eye pain, blurring of vision and fluctuation in vision clarity, sensitivity to light and temperature, discomfort in breathing, numbness ( not necessarily in the affected area), tingling, arthritis, lowering of cognitive abilities, lowering of motor abilities and anxiety related problems.

Not all the fibromyalgia symptoms appear in all the afflicted persons. Even the symptoms that do manifest, wax and wane, and do not remain forever.

Causes of Fibromyalgia:

The exact cause and effect of fibromyalgia are not known. The presumed causes are hereditary disposition, physical, mental or emotional stress, lack of sleep, low level of central dopamine (and norepinephrine), abnormal serotonin metabolism, deficiency in human growth hormone secretion, psychological factors, toxins making the nerves less/more sensitive, some infections, allergies, lack of emotional support, perfectionism, arduous work, inactivity, side effects of medications, change in weather conditions and chemical exposures.

Targets of Fibromyalgia:

Fibromyalgia affects 2-4% of the population, mostly in the age group of 20-50. Women are more likely afflicted compared to men with the women versus men ratio being 9:1. Those already afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to suffer fibromyalgia pain in the initial stages before developing inflammation.

Fibromyalgia is more likely to attack certain locations in the body known as fibromyalgia tender points – back of head, between shoulder blades, top of shoulders, front sides of neck, upper chest, outer elbows, upper hips, sides of hips and inner knees.
There are about 18 fibromyalgia trigger points of which at least 11 should be painful to the afflicted when 39 Newton force is exerted on the location.

Course of Fibromyalgia:
The afflicted are known to produce more of a substance P in their spinal fluid which gives increased pain signals to the brain. They have a low threshold for pain due to highly sensitized brain signals of pain.

Stress leads to disturbance in the neurotransmission of dopamine which has a lead role to play in how a person perceives pain and how immune he is to pain. Nerve stimulation of certain cells in the brain could help control the release or otherwise of pain transmitters.

Fibromyalgia is not a degenerative or fatal problem. But the pain, disturbed sleep and accompanied anxiety interferes with the performance of domestic work and office work, and maintaining family or office relationships.

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