A recent study found that fibromyalgia increases the risk of the development of a heart condition. This discovery hints at how severe of a disease fibromyalgia is and why we should take it seriously.
Dr. Renfrow, our Little River fibromyalgia chiropractor, has relieved several cases of fibromyalgia over the years. Our patients complain of the persistent painful sensation, soreness, and tenderness throughout their bodies. They also suffer from frustration knowing that this condition can make easy tasks more challenging.
Before discussing the correlation between heart disease and fibromyalgia, let’s first go over some vital information surrounding fibromyalgia. Later, we’ll also talk about a natural pain relief method for fibromyalgia.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fibromyalgia
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that changes how our brain processes pain signals. You may experience widespread and constant pain in the body’s bones, joints, and muscles when you have fibromyalgia. Patients are also at risk of developing conditions like depression, stress disorders, and even cardiovascular disorders.
Doctors believe that a disturbance in the signal transmission between your body and brain is one possible cause of the disease. This delay may be caused by hormonal imbalance, an upper cervical spine misalignment, and a different underlying condition.
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed? Who Are at Risk?
The widespread, chronic pain should last for at least three months before being considered a possible fibromyalgia case.
Although millions of people worldwide suffer from this condition, the diagnosis of this fibromyalgia is a challenging aspect for doctors. Because of the difficulty, this condition is often misdiagnosed as it shares similar symptoms with other conditions like lupus, Lyme disease, and other rheumatic diseases.
According to statistics, fibromyalgia is more commonly seen in women between 20 to 50 years old than in men. Patients who have family members with this condition have a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia. So, if you are a woman who has a relative with fibromyalgia, there is a very high chance that you might have this condition as well.
What Are the Different Fibromyalgia Symptoms?
People seeking the help of a Little River fibromyalgia chiropractor are asked about their symptoms during initial exams for diagnosis to determine the severity of the condition. Here are other signs that fibromyalgia patients may deal with alongside chronic pain:
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Vertigo
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Muscle soreness
- Sleeping difficulty
- Fibromyalgia fog (difficulty in concentration or focus)
- Digestive problems (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- Bladder issues (Painful Bladder Symptom)
Fibromyalgia Tender Points
Tender points are another of fibromyalgia’s hallmark indicators. These tender points are extremely sensitive that even a slight touch can trigger pain and discomfort in these areas. To be considered a fibromyalgia case, a patient should experience constant pain at least 11 out of 18 tender points.
These points can be found within these areas:
- At the back of the head
- On top of the shoulders
- Behind the neck
- In the shoulder blades
- In both elbows
- On top of the chest
- Either side of the chest
- Behind the knees
- On the buttocks
- Either side of the hips
According to research, women also have more tender points than men, making fibromyalgia a debilitating experience. These tender points are what usually drive people to get help from a Little River fibromyalgia chiropractor.
The Link Between Fibromyalgia and Heart Disease
A 2014 research in Taiwan hypothesized that fibromyalgia could lead to Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). The researchers gathered information from the National Health Research Institute in Taiwan and found a connection between the two disorders.
Before this study, medical experts only theorized the correlation between fibromyalgia and heart conditions. In their understanding, people living with fibromyalgia may feel depressed due to the constant pain they feel in their bodies.
With depression, patients do not feel any motivation or will to work out or do physical activities, making them gain weight. Excessive weight acquired quickly can lead to high blood pressure levels, high cholesterol, and ultimately, heart conditions. Aside from heart conditions, people with fibromyalgia are also at risk of getting a stroke.
The Role of Gender in Fibromyalgia and CHD
Usually, studies that publish chronic heart disease (CHD) symptoms have men as subjects. If you remember, women are more prone to fibromyalgia and other disorders due to several factors, including hormonal changes. Unknown to many, women who have heart conditions experience different and more complex symptoms than men.
Since both fibromyalgia and heart conditions in women can be considered uncharted territories in science, discovering the relation of these conditions has been sought-after. Living with fibromyalgia is an ongoing battle that may require you to get extra help.
How Can I Cope with Fibromyalgia?
Since the diagnosis of this condition can be challenging, doctors worry that people might start self-medicating to get relief from fibromyalgia pains. Taking pain meds can help curb the pain but only for a short while. You need a long-term solution for pain relief, and upper cervical chiropractic care might be the answer to your problem.
Our Little River fibromyalgia chiropractor advises those who have come to us for comfort to start making and sticking to lifestyle changes for long-term relief. Specific lifestyle changes such as the following can drastically improve your overall health:
- avoiding stress
- getting your daily workouts
- proper hydration
- healthy diet
- changing your sleeping habits
- improving your posture
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Offers Relief for Fibromyalgia
As mentioned earlier, fibromyalgia may result from an upper cervical misalignment. The upper cervical spine refers to the two top bones of the neck—the atlas and axis vertebrae. These bones shield the brainstem, which serves as a passageway of signals between the body and the brain.
A misalignment in these bones, which can happen commonly and quickly, may put excess tension on the brainstem, resulting in a mix-up of the signals in the brain and body. All these can bring on fibromyalgia. Upper cervical chiropractic care has the means and method to correct this misalignment.
Here at Southern Spinal Care, we thoroughly assess any neck misalignments to determine if it is the leading cause of your pain. Then, we create custom-made adjustment procedures to realign the neck to its proper position.
Do you want to learn how we can help you with your fibromyalgia pains? Schedule a consult with us today. Call us at (843) 399-0182 or fill out our contact form to set an appointment with Dr. Renfrow.
To schedule a consultation with Southern Spinal Care PC, call (843) 399-0182
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.