Fibromyalgia and Menopause

Menopause can be a challenging time in a woman's life. Imagine if you were facing both fibromyalgia and menopause,Fibromyalgia Symptoms at the same time!

For anyone who is searching for more information about these two very important health issues, we hope to shed light on these conditions that will be helpful for sufferers who are coping with the disorders.

Causes

Fibromyalgia is associated with many underlying causes such as nutrition deficiency, poor digestion, reaction to stress, as well as hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances. Some women develop the medical condition after having an infection such as the flu. Others begin experiencing the illness in the aftermath of a car accident or other personal injury.

Effects

Fibromyalgia is a painful disorder which often causes achy muscles, fatigue, and insomnia. Other symptoms include muscle tenderness/stiffness, depression, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Natural Treatment

Natural therapies have shown to be quite effective in relieving the symptoms of fibromyalgia and menopause by addressing the causes.

* Avoid alcohol, sugar, and caffeine as these products can worsen the pain.

* Identify and treat any food sensitivity.

* Add omega-3 fatty acids as found in fish and flaxseeds to diet.

Flaxseeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. They help reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Eat a quarter cup of ground up flaxseeds daily as part of your healthy diet plan.

Switch to green tea for your morning caffeine boost instead of drinking coffee. Green tea contains approximately half the caffeine that coffee does. An amino acid contained in green tea helps calm your nerves in place of the jittery effects of coffee. The powerful antioxidants found in green tea also benefit you in preventing cardiovascular disease.

* Drink at least six 8 ounce glasses of water a day.

* Eat super green foods like alfalfa and wheatgrass.

The foods we eat influences hormone balance and the general condition of our digestive system. Many women suffer from an imbalance of the good and bad bacteria that lives in the digestive, urinary, and vaginal areas. The use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines, and chlorinated water destroy helpful bacteria. Refined sugar and alcohol products feed bad bacteria such as Candida. Chronic stress also alters the important balance between good and bad bacteria.

St. John's Wort improves serotonin balance which results in fewer symptoms of fibromyalgia. The herbal remedy aids sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety. Switching to natural hormones offers more benefits over synthetic hormone replacement for many women.

* Siberian ginseng helps reduce the effects of stress on the body.

* Passionflower and Valerian can help promote a restful night sleep.

* Melatonin can help improve insomnia which is critical in treating these medical conditions before they worsen.

Medical Treatment for Fibromyalgia

Muscle relaxers and sleep medications are the medical treatments typically administered by doctors for fibromyalgia and menopause patients. Nutritional supplements are beneficial to provide nontoxic lasting relief. Low thyroid function may be involved and should be addressed by your doctor.

* Magnesium and calcium relaxes the muscles and nerves.

* SAMe has proven effective in several studies for treating fibromyalgia and menopause.

* 5HTP is a supplement that acts as a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin.

* Digestive enzymes taken with meals improve food absorption and digestion.

* Acupuncture can be helpful for pain relief and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia and menopause.

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