Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia
Do you wake up exhausted and aching from head to toe? Do you feel depressed and tired a good deal of the time? You could be one of the millions of people suffering from Fibromyalgia—and if you are—or know someone who is, we’ve got some useful information for you today.
Fibromyalgia is a mysterious disorder that’s taking an increasing toll on Americans. Because it is difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat, it’s estimated that anywhere from three to six million people may suffer from it.
For reasons not entirely understood, Fibromyalgia is much more common in women than men, with five times more females affected than males. It appears most often between the ages of 25 and 50. Many of its symptoms bear a striking resemblance to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but there are some diagnostic tests that set it apart, which we’ll talk about in a few moments.
Right now, I want to introduce you to a scientist who has become a good friend of mine. His name is Dr. Lee Lorenzen, and if that name sounds familiar, it’s because you’ve heard me talk about him many times before. Dr. Lorenzen is the creator of clustered water*—water which he formulated as his own wife suffered from severe Fibromyalgia.
I recently caught up with Dr. Lorenzen in California where he talked about battling a then-unheard of disease—and the unexpected blessings that came about in the process.
It was his wife’s losing battle with Fibromyalgia that inspired Dr. Lorenzen to create clustered water.
He mentioned her severe dehydration and how her body was failing to absorb nutrients.
As many of you have heard me say before, clustered water has special properties that allow it to penetrate human cells in a way regular tap water cannot. The water hydrates the body at the CELLULAR level, and also helps the body absorb nutrients.*
When Dr. Lorenzen’s wife began drinking the clustered water he created, her Fibromyalgia symptoms disappeared.* That should give you an important clue in the critical role of good nutrition and proper hydration in fighting Fibromyalgia and maintaining good health in general.
Before we go deeper into Fibromyalgia, let’s distinguish it from another disorder that it’s commonly confused with—Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Researchers and doctors say the two conditions have very similar symptoms—but it is the primary complaint of patients that tends to distinguish them. In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the primary complaint is FATIGUE. In Fibromyalgia, the main symptom is unrelenting PAIN.
Many Fibromyalgia patients are diagnosed using an 18-point pain or tenderness test. There are 18 places on the human body where Fibromyalgia sufferers will tend to feel acute pain…ten of them are concentrated around the neck and shoulder area, with the rest located in the regions of the knees, elbows, hips and buttocks.
If you’re wondering how a typical sufferer feels, try to imagine a PERMANENT case of the flu—it is truly a debilitating syndrome!!
While Fibromyalgia has only recently—referring to the last twenty years or so---been diagnosed and recognized by the medical profession, no one is quite sure where it comes from, what exactly causes it, or how to alleviate its symptoms!!
There are a few theories though…many cases of Fibromyalgia seem to stem from some sort of infection that never totally goes away. Other possible triggering events are trauma stemming from an event such as a car accident, chemical and food sensitivities, hormonal imbalances, and chronic stress.
If you’re wondering if you or someone you know may have this debilitating condition, here are a few of the more common symptoms:
—A burning, throbbing, shooting, or stabbing pain that has no obvious physical cause…typical pain points are the lower back, the neck, the shoulders, the upper chest, and/or the thighs.
—Chronic headaches
—Insomnia
—Strange sensations in the skin
—Irritable bowel syndrome
—And even temporomandibular joint syndrome, or TMJ
Those are a few of the more common symptoms—there are many more that vary from one person to another…
Now, let’s talk about some ways to alleviate these pain symptoms—and I might add, a lot of this advice would be good for just about anyone to follow—not only to head off the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, but to promote our overall health!
—Eat a well-balanced diet of 50 percent raw foods and fresh juices. Consume lots of vegetables, fruits, white grains such as millet and brown rice, raw nuts and seeds, deep-water fish, and skinless turkey or chicken. Try to buy organic chicken, as many store brands are full of hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. All of these foods will not only renew energy, but will also build immunity.
—Eat four to five small meals daily to keep a steady supply of fuel for proper muscle function
—Drink plenty of liquids to help flush out toxins…. and not just any liquids!
—Be careful what kind of water you’re drinking…here are some of my recommendations….
—Herbal teas are another good alternative
—Coffee, sodas, and other sources of caffeine are a big no-no! They actually promote fatigue, increase pain and disturb sleep for Fibromyalgia sufferers…
—Avoid wheat and brewer’s yeast—at least until symptoms improve…
—Try to do some exercise—even if you have to start very slowly…more and more research is showing that exercise can actually relieve a lot of the pain caused by Fibromyalgia…
—Be sure to get enough sleep. At least eight hours a night is necessary…
—Either chlorophyll in tablet form or so-called “green” drinks are very beneficial…if you’re not familiar with green drinks, let me tell you a little bit about what they are and how they benefit ANYONE who takes them…
I want to add one more very important note—and that has to do with painkillers—we are programmed to pop a pill when we feel pain, but more and more research is showing that ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin and similar substances are actually aggravating many of the conditions they’re taken for….and this is especially the case with Fibromyalgia!
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
"Valerie Saxion, N. D. earned her Doctorate in Naturopathy from Clayton College in 2000. She is not a medical doctor and her statements and recommendations are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."
© 2003-2005 Valerie Saxion