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Is It Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

          By Karen Lee Richards   It's often difficult to distinguish between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome . Are they unrelated, siblings or twins? Researchers and specialists are still trying to determine the answer to this question. Some experts believe they are two completely separate illnesses; others think they are two distinct disorders with many similar symptoms; still others feel they are different facets of the same disorder. To complicate matters, a significant number of people with FM also have CFS and vise versa. In a September 2002 article in Fibromyalgia AWARE , a publication of the National Fibromyalgia Association , Charles W. Lapp, MD, CFS/FM expert and researcher, states that "about 70 percent of persons with CFS meet criteria for FM and about 70 percent of persons with FM also meet criteria for CFS." Central Sensitivity Syndromes : Muhammad B. Yunus, MD, a pioneer FM researcher, beli

Simple Tricks for Avoiding Everyday Pain

Simple Tricks for Avoiding Everyday Pain     By Gina Shaw WebMD Feature Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD Back pain, neck pain, and headaches. These three common pain conditions affect millions of Americans every day. About 116 million people suffer from chronic pain, with 27% of pain sufferers complaining of low back pain, 15% headache or migraine, and another 15% neck pain. Some of this pain is the result of chronic underlying medical conditions, and requires a doctor’s care. But in some cases, you can manage pain by taking a few simple steps in your daily life. Posture If you could do just one thing to lessen the amount of pain you experience daily, it would be to improve your posture. “The human body was designed to be out in a field and chasing down our meals, not seated at a desk, slumped over looking at a computer for 8-12 hours a day,” says Trent Nessler, PT, DPT, MPT, a phy

Another Perspective on Reducing Arthritis Pain the Natural Way

13 Natural Ways to Help Ease Arthritis Pain Posted 12/08/2013 | Health & Fitness   Arthritis affects approximately 50 million people in the United States, according to the Arthritis Foundation. It is the second most frequently reported chronic condition in the United States and costs the U.S. economy $128 billion annually. Gain insight on natural ways to help ease the pain of one of the nation’s leading and most costly health ailments. Let The Numbers Speak According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis strikes 1 in every 5 American adults and is the nation’s leading cause of disability. Within 20 years the numbers of those projected by this debilitating disease are projected to soar as exponential numbers of Americas turn 65 each day. In fact, by 2030, an estimated 67 million Americans will have arthritis—unless the trend is reversed, reports the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Easing Joint Pain and Inflammation Arthritis is classif

Is Pain Managment Possible Through Diet?

J ust browsing on Amazon.com, there is definitely some thought in this area.  The basic idea here is that by eating foods that are more nutritionally correct, you can reduce inflammation and as a result reduce pain levels.  This would make sense for any chronic pain situation where inflammation is the BIG problem--rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ,many back pain issues, and the like.  I don't know if it works or not but I am here to share the idea with you because that is the purpose of my blog.  Below I will share the book that intrigued me the most. Ultimately, I believe that it is worth it to try just because most of us have much room for improvement in our dietary choices--and our dietary choices go a long way in improving or worsening our overall health.  Maybe it's not the be-all and the end-all but is sure can't hurt!

Good Relationships, Better Pain Management

Curious?  Follow the link to see a short video on how having good mutual relationships can improve pain management. ZARKBMMDKP9P

NonDrug Pain Management Ideas: Smoking Cessation

Chronic Pain and Smoking Put out that cigarette! People with chronic pain smoke more, even though smoking can actually make the pain worse.      By Dennis Thompson Jr. Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH  Studies have found that people in chronic pain smoke tobacco at a greater rate than the general public, even though smoking interferes with pain management . What's behind the increased tobacco use in patients with chronic pain? Smoking appears to be a method some people adopt to manage pain. Studies have found that smokers increase their cigarette consumption when their pain increases. Researchers also have speculated that chronic pain patients smoke due to the depression or anxiety they are more likely to have as a result of their pain. Chronic Pain and Smoking: The Statistics More than half of chronic pain patients who have sought out pain management are known to smoke, compared with a 22 percent smoking rate for the United

The Heartbreak of Shingles

Shingles is a common--and painful problem for many people, especially the elderly.  Some people suffer a form of neuropathic pain (post herpetic neuralgia) for very long periods following a shingles outbreak.  Today I am posting this article from WebMD because it is highly important to know about this subject!     What is shingles? Shingles is a painful skin rash . It is caused by the varicella zoster virus. Shingles usually appears in a band, a strip, or a small area on one side of the face or body. It is also called herpes zoster. Shingles is most common in older adults and people who have weak immune systems because of stress, injury, certain medicines, or other reasons. Most people who get shingles will get better and will not get it again. What causes shingles? Shingles occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox starts up again in your body. After you get better from chickenpox, the virus "sleeps" (is dormant) in your n