Fibromyalgia And Stress – The Connection Between The Brain And Body

Widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue characterizes fibromyalgia. The exact causes of fibromyalgia are still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, tendons and other fibrous tissues in the body.

Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia, although men are also affected by it. Patients with fibromyalgia may have one or a combination of these symptoms such as chronic pain, insomnia, sleep disorders, the contact hypersensitivity, chronic fatigue, depression and irritable bowel syndrome . Some patients have reported symptoms such as sensitivity to odors, noise, light, certain foods and drugs. Other reported symptoms include temporomandibular joint dysfunction, morning stiffness, memory loss, dizziness and dry eyes and mouth.

Fibromyalgia is often referred to as invisible disease, as this is no apparent pathology. It is believed that psychosocial factors are responsible for this disease. Fibromyalgia is not a fatal or degenerative disease; However, it can affect almost every aspect of a person’s life. Chronic pain associated with the disease is widespread and persistent and can affect the normal social and recreational activity. It has been estimated that about 30% of people affected by this disease can not work full time. The U.S. government recognizes fibromyalgia as a real disease and patients may apply for Social Security disability.

Doctors all over the world consider fibromyalgia as a functional disease in which the symptoms are real, but the medical tests are normal. Trying to understand fibromyalgia by the biomedical model is a futile exercise. Biomedical model explains the disease as cause and effect, and is based on dualism. The bio-medical model believes that the mind and body as separate.

The reality is, in fact, contrary to this belief and most diseases like fibromyalgia must be understood through the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual. It is now recognized that fibromyalgia should be addressed after addressing, understanding and acceptance of the interdependence of mind, body and spirit. Factors such as genetics, the environment and the influence of the conscious and the unconscious mind also plays an important role in patients who develop fibromyalgia.

The underlying causes of fibromyalgia are not in the head, but in the mind and body. The body is connected to the brain through the spinal cord through the autonomic nervous system. Small molecules in the protein neuropeptide messaging system circulating in the body and carrying messages in both directions between the body and the brain, and vice versa. Therefore, we need to look at the body and mind to truly understand fibromyalgia and not the bio-medical model. There is a direct relationship between stress and symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Stress is the perception of a physical or psychological threat and the perception of being unable to cope. Two important things about the stress must be taken into account. First, stress can occur unconsciously and the person may not realize he or she is under stress from a cognitive perspective. Second, the stress is always perceptive. Some people may find a very stressful situation, while others may not be affected by it.

Although there are a number of factors which are responsible for fibromyalgia, a factor common to all patients suffering from fibromyalgia is “stress.” Another factor often associated with fibromyalgia is a disorder of sleep or insomnia. It is still unclear whether these two factors can cause fibromyalgia or vice versa.

It is important that everyone involved understands and accepts the connection between mind and body. Treatment and recovery are two different processes. The treatment consists of the application of something outside and something orally or intravenously, but healing occurs from the inside. Patients should be encouraged to use their own power to heal. It is a fact that neuropeptides can turn off and on by relaxation, exercise, diet, sleep, and beliefs of drugs.

A change of lifestyle, better eating habits, regular exercise, sleep and medications such as antidepressants taken under medical supervision are beneficial for the management of fibromyalgia.

http://ift.tt/SQFVgB

Fibromyalgia And Stress – The Connection Between The Brain And Body

via what causes fibromyalgia http://ift.tt/SQFVgB