Interesting article for anyone with fibro

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HSI e-Alert - Get Real HSI e-Alert - Get Real Health Sciences Institute e-Alert **************************************************** March 02, 2005 Why am I getting this? **************************************************** Conquer diabetes and slash your blood sugar ...as much as 54% by eating eggs, pizza, and brownies! Discover 10 secret 'super-foods' in this doctor-proven program that can help you beat the odds and teach your body how to digest sugar. Get control of your diabetes and feel fit, healthy, and energized. Find out how: http://www1.youreletters.com/t/121532/2376519/648968/0/ **************************************************** Dear Reader, Attitudes about fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) have come a long way, but they still have a long way to go. I have a friend named Tess whose doctor diagnosed her aching hands, arms and legs as fibromyalgia about two years ago. But even though she has a doctor who is knowledgeable about this unique condition, she still senses a clear skepticism on his part. And although she's fully aware that many medical professionals still regard FMS as being "all in the head," she knows that her pain is real. She also knows exactly where it is, and it's not in her head. In the U.S. there are some 8 million people who suffer from fibromyalgia. Most of them are women, and - unlike my friend Tess who's only 30 - most of them experience their symptoms later in life. But thanks to a wide range of research over the past decade, those who suffer from FMS have been given new hope as well as more effective treatment options. And now, a relatively new method of diagnosis may revolutionize the way this disorder is perceived. -------------------------------------------- Heads examined -------------------------------------------- Ironically, the key to this new FMS diagnosis technique actually IS in the head - or, more specifically, the brain. In an interview with Ivanhoe Newswire, rheumatologist Clauw, MD., of the University of Michigan, explained how he studied the blood flow in the brains of FMS patients, compared with the brain blood flow of healthy subjects. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Dr. Clauw observed that the area of the brain that registers pain showed an increase of blood flow when FMS patients were given a low-pressure stimulus. The identical stimulus showed no change in the brains of control group subjects. But when a more intense stimulus was administered to the control group, the blood flow increased in the same way as it had when the FMS group received the low-pressure stimulus. Dr. Clauw says his research finally offers visual proof that FMS patients experience hypersensitivity in the pain processing areas of their brains. This possible breakthrough in the diagnosis of FMS is much-needed and long overdue. In the interview, Dr. Clauw notes that it's typical for FMS patients to be examined by a number of different doctors before the accurate diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made. Nevertheless, Dr. Clauw points out that his research may not lead to a widespread use of his MRI technique - and doesn't necessarily need to. Now that he's demonstrated that FMS patients are experiencing genuine pain, he feels it's enough for doctors to simply listen to their patients. As he puts it, "When they tell you they're tender, they're tender" -------------------------------------------- Mom's relief -------------------------------------------- After a fibromyalgia diagnosis is made, the question of treatment is almost as problematic as recognizing the disorder. How do you treat aching and burning sensations that may vary in location and intensity from day to day? Inevitably, many attempts to manage the disease have only masked the symptoms with prescription drugs and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS). At HSI we've written many times about the special challenges of treating fibromyalgia. In the e-Alert "The Last Sighting" (4/16/02), I told you about an FMS treatment called relaxin. This naturally occurring hormone is best known for its role during pregnancy. Since the 1930s, scientists have been aware of how relaxin softens the tissues of the birth canal, promotes cell proliferation to help the uterus grow, and allows ligaments and other connective tissues to elongate. Relaxin transforms the pregnant woman's body to accommodate its changing needs. After realizing that women typically experience relief from fibromyalgia and other pain disorders during pregnancy, scientists hypothesized that the relaxin hormone may be responsible, since its production quadruples during pregnancy. To test the theory, they began using it to treat patients suffering from FMS. Patients treated with relaxin experienced significant and, in many cases, immediate relief. Further studies have shown that it also offers remarkable benefits in fighting age-related diseases, like osteoporosis, and effectively reduces many of the physical signs of aging, like dry skin and hair, with no side effects. And since the relaxin hormone is present in both sexes, research shows it can help men address pain and aging disorders, as well. Sky BioHealth Solutions, Inc., has developed an oral form of relaxin called Vitalaxin, which can be purchased through Dr. V. 's Tahoma Clinic Dispensary, available online at tahoma-clinic.com. Even though this hormone therapy appears to be safe and effective, talk to your doctor before including relaxin as part of your regimen. -------------------------------------------- Other options -------------------------------------------- Another treatment for FMS combines Amazon rainforest herbs into a formula that has been shown to overcome the degenerative effects of both fibromyalgia and lupus. In the e-Alert "Lupus Sufferer Feels 'Like a Million Bucks'" (6/19/01), I sent you information about this formula called Myco+, which is reported to have no side effects and doesn't interfere with other mainstream treatments for either Lupus or FMS. You can find out more about Myco+, at the web site for Raintree Nutrition: rain-tree.com. And in the December 2002 HSI Members Alert we told you about a study reported in the British Medical Journal that showed how more than half the FMS patients in a group of 66 reduced their symptoms and experienced less discomfort after a 3-month aerobic exercise program, using a treadmill or stationary bike for one hour, twice each week. Fibromyalgia is a topic that comes up frequently on the HSI Forum. In a current thread titled "Fibromyalgia help," you'll find many comments from members who have successfully tried acupuncture, massage and other natural methods to address their condition. **************************************************** FIVE HIDDEN DANGERS OF YOUR MORNING SHOWER You wouldn't knowingly bathe in toxins every morning...or set out to ravage your lungs and sinuses, irritate your allergies, aggravate your skin, or...perhaps most horrifying of all... Willingly increase your risk of cancer... would you? Visit below to find out how to purify your water of chlorine and the dangerous chlorine by-products that are putting your health at risk. http://www1.youreletters.com/t/121532/2376519/645236/0/ **************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsiealert.com/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. **************************************************** ...and another thing An HSI member named Zal has an itch for vitamin C, but it's not the good kind of itch. Zal writes: "I have been a Vitamin C user for many years, both for daily maintenance as well as therapeutically for colds and flus. However, I have recently been recovering from a case of acute hives (going on 12 weeks now; suppressed with antihistamines) and it appears that Vitamin C is now acting as an 'aggravator' for the hives. That is, if I take Vitamin C, the next day the hives will be worse. "I'm not looking for a specific treatment suggestion. I'm just wondering if there is an aggravation link and if there is, what one should consider as an alternative, since Vitamin C can be so helpful. (Note: the aggravation has happened with both ascorbic acid and ester-C forms)." Anyone who's experienced the intense discomfort caused by hives can sympathize with Zal's dilemma. So I called on HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., to field Zal's questions, and here's what he had to say: "Normally vitamin C would be my choice for hives, though unfortunately the dose can get really high to stop it, even up to 4 grams per HOUR (whoa!). Of course, such a dose would cause diarrhea in someone who isn't sick. "In this case it may be an issue of what caused the hives in the first place. Originally I would have said to suspect the brand of C, or possibly the acidity challenge, but acid and ester-C have been tried. However, if both are of the same brand or produced by the same company, it might be worth switching to a pure ascorbate form of C, and from a different company (the base substance may be similar and you might be allergic to that, because it is possible to be allergic to anything, including nutrient supplements)." For Zal or anyone trying to track down the source of hives, Dr. Spreen recommends checking to see if the distribution of the hives is related to clothing coverage. Allergies can stem from sensitivity to certain fabrics as well as detergents used to wash the fabrics. In addition, lawn treatments, new carpet, and new furniture are also key triggers for hives. To Your Good Health, Health Sciences Institute **************************************************** THE ULTIMATE SMART PILL Now you can restore your memory, sharpness, wit, and wisdom! Despite the power of modern medicine, there's still nothing that conventional doctors have to offer that can turn you into an "instant Einstein"... But here's the good news: There are some natural substances you can safely use to prevent – and even reverse – age-related memory decline, mental dullness, and lapses in alertness. Discover the 3 secrets to renewed focus and memory most doctors ignore! Visit: http://www1.youreletters.com/t/121532/2376519/650741/0/ **************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsiealert.com/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. **************************************************** Tap into the minds of other health-conscious readers like yourself at the new HSI health forum: http://www.healthiertalk.com Sources: "Validating Fibromyalgia: Behind the Pain -- Full-Length Doctor's Interview" Ivanhoe Broadcast News, 2/10/03, ivanhoe.com "Brain Tests Confirm Fibromyalgia Patients Feel Pain" Ivanhoe Broadcast News, 2/6/03, ivanhoe.com **************************************************** Copyright ©1997-2005 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. 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