The Link Between Fibromyalgia and Celiac Disease

Do you have Fibromyalgia? Are you constantly sick and tired all the time? Have you been told to live with it and that there is no cure? Could you actually have Celiac Disease and it has been undiagnosed? Is there a possibility you could find a solution to all your health problems that is a simple as a change in diet?

Fibromyalgia is a complex pain syndrome, with a multitude of different symptoms and without a single known cause. There are many symptoms. Here are some of them:

• Increased sensitivity
• Stiffness on Awakening.
• Arthritis like pain, with or without joint involvement
• Fatigue
• Un-refreshed sleep (tired on awakening)
• Sleep Disturbances
• Muscular pain
• Tendon pain
• Hormonal effects
• Headaches and Migraines
• Brain Fog
• Depression
• Exercise Intolerance
• Low immunity/ frequent infections
• Stomach/ Bowel disturbances /Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• TMJ/ jaw pain.

Many people tend to have Fibromyalgia as a co-existing condition along with another disease. The most common of these is Rheumatoid Arthritis, but it can also exist with Lupus, or Psoriasis. However is also possible for it to exist as a stand alone disease. There is however another possibility that has been overlooked and that is the incidence of Celiac Disease that is being misdiagnosed as Fibromyalgia.

Celiac Disease is an auto-immune disease that is, the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues seeing them as a foreign substance. When a person with Celiac Disease eats any food containing gluten (the protein found in Wheat, Rye, Oats and Barley), the body reacts to those proteins found in the gluten and attacks the small finger like projections in the small intestine called villi, thus preventing absorption of food. This leads to major digestive disorders, stomach ailments, fatigue, anemia, headaches, exhaustion, and pain and fatigue.

At least 1 in 100 people have Celiac Disease but it is often missed. It is not commonly something that is checked for when someone has all the fibromyalgia symptoms, but it is worth ruling out and investigating. It is diagnosed by a blood test and by a biopsy of the small intestine during a gastroscopy. The simple treatment of it is a completely Gluten free diet.

Most often people with Fibromyalgia have digestive disorder complaints, most commonly they are told that it is caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The symptoms of this are alternating diarrhea and constipation, nausea, bloating and wind and constant fatigue. Well unsurprisingly this is also the exact symptoms of Celiac Disease! How many doctors have checked their Fibromyalgia patients for Celiac. I know I wasn't.

Since following a Gluten free diet all my symptoms of Fibromyalgia and IBS have disappeared! I am however not advocating that all Fibromyalgia is caused by Celiac Disease, but don't you think it's worth your health to rule it out.

After being sick and misdiagnosed for over 20 years, Yael finally found the cause of her constant pain, anemia, fatigue, fibromyalgia and digestive problems. When she was finally diagnosed with Celiac Disease everything changed. She was able to start her life again. There is not nearly enough awareness about this disease.By Yael Goodman

Weird Symptoms of Fibromyalgia to Watch Out For!

Although you may not be aware of it, most everyone knows someone who suffers with fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia generally don't go around shouting about their condition from the rooftops. It's not fashionable or fun, and it hurts like the devil! And there are approximately 5 million of them in America today... about 90% of them are women!

Unfortunately, if you don't have the symptoms of fibromyalgia... and you are very fortunate if you don't... it's really hard to relate to someone who has all the weird and seemingly disconnected conditions that come with the illness. And some of the weirdest symptoms can have the most devastating effect on a fibromyalgia sufferer's life... mostly because they go unrecognized as symptoms and are often not addressed or treated.

Fibromyalgia patients, who are under the care of a rheumatologist, are provided with medications to manage their symptoms. That's one way the common symptoms of fibromyalgia, like the pain, can be kept under control. However, it's not unusual for individuals with the illness to keep quiet about their condition or even lie to their family, friends, co-workers, and bosses ... to avoid appearing as "weak" or "a chronic complainer". As a fibromyalgia "victim" myself, I can tell you that I kept my mouth shut, especially at work, so that I wouldn't lose opportunities on my job. I just worked through the pain and misery.

People who understand the syndrome are aware of the fatigue and severe pain that are the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia. These are usually theindicators used by doctors when diagnosing the illness. But, what is not commonly known, is that many fibromyalgia sufferers:

1) Have difficulty focusing, unexplained vision changes, and visual blind spots

2) Frequently have gastrointestinal issues including abdominal cramping, bloating, reflux, intestinal gas, frequent constipation and/or diarrhea, and even nausea and vomiting

3) Are hypersensitive to odors, bright lights, and loud noises; have alcohol intolerance; and sensitivities to various medications and foods

4) Have vivid or disturbing dreams and nightmares, sleep difficulties including inability to stay asleep; or even hypersomnia --- which is excessive sleeping

5) Appear to be clumsy --- walking and accidentally bumping into things, knocking things over; have trouble judging distances --- like when reaching for things or driving a car; have occasional balance difficulties, and may experience vertigo/dizziness

6) Have difficulty finding the right words to express themselves and remembering names or recognizing faces; have difficulty following directions, and frequently lose their train of thought; are easily distracted and may have long and/or short-term memory loss

Can you imagine waking up one morning and not being able to remember your boss' last name... or your best friend's phone number?... Or has this already happened to you?

These are examples of only a few of the weird and seemingly unrelated symptoms of fibromyalgia, and sufferers and their doctors will tell you... every case is different. Some individuals have severe gastrointestinal problems and trouble sleeping as their primary complaints along with the common symptoms of pain and fatigue, while others can't tolerate strong smells and may have vision problems and difficulty focusing. In all cases, fibromyalgia sufferers have multiple symptoms, some of which may never have been recognized as part of their fibromyalgia condition.

So... Is There Any Treatment That Can Help Me With All My Weird Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

The simple answer is "yes!" Improving your overall health is the key! Many of the symptoms accompanying fibromyalgia's pain and fatigue, like overall weakness, headaches and migraines, gastrointestinal distress, sleep issues, and even depression, can be reduced or eliminated by improving your diet! Begin with a heart-smart diet with low sugar, low fat... and add fruits, vegetables and whole grain. Avoid drinking a lot of caffeinated beverages. Maintain a healthy weight and avoid allergy-causing foods. And... include an adequate supply of lean, digestible protein to repair the body at the cellular level. It's widely accepted that a good diet complete with vitamins, minerals and amino acids --- protein's building blocks which support the muscles, nerves and brain, may help you to take control the symptoms of fibromyalgia... and your life.

By Carol Ryland

Inflammatory Arthritis – Symptoms and Causes

What is Inflammatory Arthritis?

Inflammatory arthritis is a comprehensive name used to describe the different types of arthritis. These types include psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and spinal arthritis. All of these come with severe pain in the joints. Inflammatory arthritis happens when our immune system attacks our joints. The joints then become inflamed and painful. Depending on the type will depend on which parts of the body are affected. Nearly any joint in the body can be affected. Most commonly though it is found in the neck, elbows knees, hands and feet. However, other joints in the body are subject to this affliction.

What causes inflammatory Arthritis?

The exact cause of inflammatory arthritis is not exactly known. It is thought that joint strain, disease or infections and even the environment may all contribute to the cause of this arthritis. Genetics are also thought to be a common cause. Other risk factors that contribute to the chances of getting this disease include excessive weight, cigarette smoking, and even blood transfusions.

What are the symptoms and complications of inflammatory arthritis?

Symptoms and complications will be different with different people. For some of us the symptoms and disease itself may be mild depending on how advanced the disease is. For others however, inflammatory arthritis may cause acute damage to various joints in the body resulting in severe pain in their joints. Symptoms can include restricted joint movement, inflexibility along with crippling and excess joint pain. Additional organs in the body can also be afflicted as well. Furthermore this condition can and does shorten the average life span by up to ten years.

What are treatment options of inflammatory arthritis?

The most common treatment is medications that are prescribed to the patient. Occasionally surgeries may be performed on some patients. Each of these however has risk factors to consider. These risks can include adverse side effects and complications along with high costs and even not working to cure some patients.

Herbal supplements also work for the arthritis sufferer to eliminate their severe pain caused by arthritis. They can also improve joint mobility, increase natural immune responses and decrease joint inflammation. When the disease is caught early, the long term positive results also increase.

If you are or even think you are suffering from any form of arthritis it is important to seek professional help. This disease can progress quite fast and can become crippling for you.

Author: Nikki Roberts