Fibromyalgia, and what causes it – according to SVA Fibromyalgia (FM or FMS) is a medical disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain and allodynia, a heightened and painful response to pressure. Fibromyalgia symptoms are not restricted to pain, leading to the use of the alternative term fibromyalgia syndrome for the condition. Other symptoms include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. Some patients may also report difficulty with swallowing, bowel and bladder abnormalities, numbness and tingling, and cognitive dysfunction. Fibromyalgia is frequently comorbid with psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety and stress-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder. Not all people with fibromyalgia experience all associated symptoms. Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect 2–4% of the population, with a female to male incidence ratio of approximately 9:1. The term "fibromyalgia" derives from new Latin, fibro-, meaning "fibrous tissues", Greek myo-, "muscle", and Greek algos-, "pain"; thus the term literally means "muscle and connective tissue pain").
Ayurveda tells us that isolating the actual cause of an imbalance is already half the work done towards correcting it. This is nowhere more true than in the case of Fibromyalgia. More so than other imbalances or dis-eases, identifying the etiological factors at play constitute the most important step in correcting and eliminating it. While SVA recognizes that individual conditions and exceptions may be present, it does give us a list of common trigger factors that may include: • poor quality, and/or improper diet and nutrition • consumption of un-intelligent protein or dead protein • a diet heavy with too many large beans • addition of large quantities of onion and garlic in the diet • consumption of white sugar, white flour, etc • irregular and improper daily, nightly and seasonal routines (dietary, sleep routine, exercise/work-out routine) • misuse of the five senses • high exposure to EMF / EMR: electro-magnetic fields, electro-magnetic radiation An increase in the number of cases of Fibromyalgia are being reported at an amazing speed, specially in the US, as research and studies try to unravel the riddles of this mysterious ailment. According to SVA, however, and as you can see from the list above, the main etiopathogenesis for fibromyalgia revolves around the diet; the root of the imbalance. A poor diet and lifestyle causes a variety of toxins including: • •
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Ama – a heavy, sticky substance resulting from improper digestion Amavisha – acidic and reactive toxins resulting from unattended toxic waste in the body
Garavisha – environmental industrially manufactured toxins, toxic fumes, and chemicals Indravajrabhijanyavisha – electro-magnetic vibrational Toxins such as EMF / EMR
These toxins settle into the muscles and the joints and are distributed throughout the sandhis or gaps in our systems, and when left unchecked and unhindered, they eventually attack the nerves. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include but may not be limited to:
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Chronic muscle pain, muscle spasms or tightness, weakness in the limbs, and leg cramps Moderate or severe fatigue and decreased energy Insomnia or waking up feeling tired Stiffness upon waking or after staying in one position for too long Difficulty remembering, concentrating, and performing simple mental tasks (“fibro fog”) Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and constipation alternating with diarrhea (irritable bowel syndrome) Tension or migraine headaches Jaw and facial tenderness Sensitivity to one or more of the following: odors, noise, bright lights, medications, certain foods, and cold temperatures • Feeling anxious or depressed for no apparent reason • Numbness or tingling in the face, arms, hands, legs, or feet, fingers, toes • Increase in urinary urgency or frequency (irritable bladder) • Reduced tolerance for exercise and muscle pain after exercise • A feeling of swelling (without actual swelling) in the hands and feet • Painful menstrual periods Dizziness
Based on the science of Ayurveda, the disease causative factors (Nidan or Hetu) and disease pathology (Samprapti) are extremely complex. The disease is not simply caused by one factor, but rather a combination of poor diet and lifestyle that are creating toxins, clogging channels, and disturbing the entire metabolic process. As the toxins slowly accumulate and distribute throughout the body, the symptoms as listed above start to show themselves. In fibromyalgia cases the cellular transformational gaps in all of the body tissues as well as the mind becomes disturbed, which prevents the food we eat from being transformed into healthy tissues. As this cycle continues, our Ojas or overall immunity (the finest by-product of good metabolism that nourishes us) is less productive and lacking. At this stage those suffering from fibromyalgia start to experience even more serious symptoms such as depression, lack of motivation, emotional turmoils. Please watch the following YouTube videos for more information on: • Four types of toxins: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FTIPuMec9A • Ojas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQL96tI9IWw