Microglia: A New Discovery And Its Role in Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is still a poorly understood disorder..but fear not, the push is on to learn more about it so it can be better managed and treated. Ask anyone who has this disorder--it's certainly no walk in the park, and the need for remediation is obvious.

Microglia (green) and neurons in a rat brain culture

One of the more recent discoveries in this effort is the existence of microglia. Unique to the central nervous system, these tiny cells travel about to areas of injury or infection. Once there, they send out an SOS to other parts of the immune system. Microglia also attempt to begin the healing process. Inflammation is part of this process. While this is a normal part of the healing process, chronic inflammation is problematic.

It's thought that microglial activation is part of the problem experienced by patients with fibromyalgia...perhaps with respect to brain fog and issues with hyperalgesia (pain amplification) and mechanical allodynia (pain experience from something that doesn't usually cause pain, such as brushing hair or a shirt tag rubbing against the skin).

Better understanding of microglia and their role in fibromyalgia will lead to better forms of treatment...or so it is thought. You can read further about this interesting topic by clicking here.

Sources: Wikimedia; about.com

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Living with Chronic pain hits the big screen!

Been to the movies lately? Jennifer Aniston is on the big screen in a recent release titled "Cake." Her character, Claire is a victim of chronic pain...she belongs to a support group, where all of the members are coming to terms with the suicide of one of their members. Of course, she also takes pain medication and addiction is another of her problems...and of course there's more! I guess I am writing this post just to bring readers' attention to the fact that Hollywood has become aware of the crisis that is chronic pain. This movie is a testament to that. People that don't have to live with this kind of pain don't fully understand the whole story. Maybe this movie will shed some light on the issues. Here is the official trailer for the movie: Sources: prweb;NorthJersey.com;YouTube

Sciatica: A common pain in the butt!

Sciatica pain results from pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve originates in the spine and runs down through the buttocks and the back of the leg...so if you've ever literally had a pain in the butt, it is possible that sciatica is the problem. The cause of the pressure can be from a number of sources...for instance, compression in the spinal cord due to disc injury or a tumor. The sciatica pain sensation can vary widely..it can present as a numbness or tingling, dull ache, burning, and in severe cases the pain can make movement quite difficult. Over time, it is possible for sciatica to resolve on its own. If it does not, it is important to seek medical help to determine the root cause of the pain. The usual first course of remedies for sciatica include ice application to the affected area for the first 48-72 hours, followed by heat. Over the counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are also appropriate. ...

Non Drug Pain Management Ideas: Applying the 80/20 Principle

The idea for today's post comes from my husband, who has in recent years become a follower of the paleo/primal diet. Most of the time he is very strict about this diet, making sure not to eat anything taboo. On occasion, he breaks from the rigidity of his new found way of life and enjoys a few cookies, maybe a bottle of beer, or a new pasta dish. Why, you ask? He says that according to others who follow this course, there is an 80/20 rule. This means that that if you adhere to the rules 80% of the time, you can allow yourself some leeway the other 20% of the time. It is important to bring this concept to the readers of this blog for a number of reasons: 1)If you have been following this blog at all, you know there are a lot of lifestyle changes that can tremendously enhance relief from chronic pain. For a lot of people this not an easy thing to do. By opting to follow the 80/20 rule these lifestyle modifications suddenl...

Everyday pain management ideas

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