Fibromyalgia: the Painful Truth

photo flicker commons by Untitles blue

Symptoms such as rheumatism, fibrositis, lumbago, hysterical paroxysm, and even sleeping sickness have been studied since the 1800s. They were considered common individual illnesses that were for the most part, unsuccessfully treated. No one knew they would later be linked to a much more complicated illness.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by fatigue and widespread soft tissue pain of muscle, ligaments, and tendons.It is accompanied by an extensive number of indications that until recently, were thought to be individual illnesses unassociated to each other and major components of fibromyalgia. While the illnesses of fibromyalgia are not exclusive to the syndrome, FM sufferers can experience any or all of these associated ailments.

Fibromyalgia Facts:

* Fm lacks a clear test to verify its existence.
* There is no known cure for fibromyalgia.
* The cause of fm is unknown.
* The wide range of symptoms associated with FM makes the illness difficult to diagnose.
* FM affects an estimated 3 in 100 or roughly 900,000 Canadians and Americans combined.
* More women develop FM than men by 5 to 1.
* Every FM patient has at least
Read more here: http://www.healthmad.com/Conditions-and-Diseases/Fibromyalgia-The-Painful-Truth.635597

The Painful Embarrassment of IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome

You walk doubled over as you head for the nearest public washroom. Your abdominal muscles clench up so tightly that it is impossible to straighten up. Strangers look at you and you try not to notice as the sweat starts to form on your skin and urgency threatens to explode immediately. You begin to worry that you might not make it in time. You hope there won't be a line up and you hope that this won't be the time a stranger will find you partially clad and passed out in a washroom floor.

As with fibromyalgia, each person experiences an IBS attack differently. Triggers, symptoms, and experiences are unique to each individual. An attack can strike at any time and it can be one of the most embarrassing and painful situation you will ever experience.

There are three types of IBS; Dominant Constipation IBS, Predominant Diarrhea IBS, and alternating diarrhea and constipation. All are painful, debilitating and confusing. Because everyone's personal story is different, I can only tell my own.

It is 6:30PM, supper is over and I stand washing dishes at the kitchen sink when suddenly, without warning, I am doubled over as pain sears my abdomen. My muscles are in a vice like grip that prevents me from standing upright as I make my way to the washroom praying I will get there in time. After a few minutes the pain eases and the urge has disappeared. I wash my hands and go back to my dishes and wait for the next bout of pain to begin.

I have food induced Pain Predominant IBS. The name tells it all. The symptom is the painful and urgent need to evacuate NOW. This doesn't mean evacuation will happen right away because sometimes you can be fooled for hours with the painful urgency coming and going while other times it is immediate.

Once it begins, abdominal pain and cramping is severe with frequent bouts of diarrhea that can end abruptly after one bowel movement or keep on for up to three hours or more. My IBS attacks are relentless and incapacitating causing my adrenalin and body temperature to rise. Fierce pain continues non stop as sweat soaks my body and drips from my face, hair, and ears staining my clothes. The room swims before me and I fight to keep conscious....
Read more here: http://www.healthmad.com/Conditions-and-Diseases/The-Painful-Embarrassment-of-IBS-Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome.654885/3

Medicinal and Household Uses for Tea Tree Oil

Melaleuca Oil (Tea Tree) is made by Steaming the pine like needles of the Meleleuca tree.

Melaleuca Oil, more commonly known as Tee Tree oil is an essential oil that is native to New South Wales Australia. Tee Tree Oil has long been used for its antifungal and antiseptic properties, but it has many household uses as well.

Six Uncommonly Known Power Fruits

Courtesy: blmurch Flicker Commons

These power fruits have amazing health benefits, but are less known. What are they?

These six power fruits are less common from the regular berries that we are used to in the US, but you can find them available for purchase online. They are newest trend in fruit drinks!

http://www.healthmad.com/Nutrition/Six-Uncommonly-Known-Power-Fruits.248821

How to Cope with Grief

courtesy: Doctor Swan Flicker Commons

As we get older, we’re bound to lose people who’ve meant a great deal to us for a very long time. The first of these people to go are usually our parents. How do we cope with this loss and rebuild our lives while nurturing this immense pain inside our hearts? Here are some workable suggestions.

If you have recently suffered the loss of a loved one, this article is for you.

http://www.gomestic.com/Family/How-to-Cope-with-Grief.251191

Live Healthy and Love Life

photo by iMorpheus Flicker commons

It happens to all of us eventually. We wake up one morning and realize that life has brought us to the crossroads. We must make the decision to either grow old gracefully or go the rest of the way unwilling and unhappy. There's nothing wrong with growing old gracefully but why not do it with a healthy mind and body? Retirement is just around the corner and there is so much you have been waiting to do. Whether it's writing, running a marathon, sculpting, or traveling you don't want to be slowed down by poor health. You want to be in your best health to enjoy the best time of your life.

Elevating your mood is a great first step.

When you are happy the rest just seems to follow. The supplement 5-HTP works by elevating the serotonin level in your brain.

http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/Live-Healthy-and-Love-Life.180133

Diet Recipe for Fat Cats

Overweight cats experience obesity the same way humans do. They are uncomfortable, have difficulty breathing, and find it hard to be active. If you reduce the amount of food your cat normally eats, he will decide to fend for himself. Scavenging for food can be bad for his health, especially if he gets into...

http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/Diet-Recipe-for-Fat-Cats.188205

How to Look Thinner Without Dieting

photo by The Heart Truth's photostream
Flicker commons
www.hearttruth.gov

With that summer wedding just around the corner, you could be feeling a little self-conscious about the extra few pounds you have been meaning to lose. When you don’t have time to hit the gym, these little tricks will fool everyone including yourself into thinking you have already lost those pounds.

We know that exercise, proper diet, and hard work are always the best way to lose weight and staying fit but what do you do when an unexpected emergency takes you by surprise? If you have not had time to lose those few extra pounds, you can still look great and feel good about yourself with these quick tips and tricks....

http://www.healthmad.com/Weight-Loss/How-to-Look-Thinner-Without-Dieting.154901

Getting to Know Your Scrotum

Every male from the age of fifteen years should know how to do a Testicular Self-Examination. You have the diagnostic tool in your hands. It could save your life.

Self-examination of your scrotum is as important for men as self-breast examination is for women. We hear about the importance of self-breast examinations often. We read about it in magazines, hear about it on TV and on the radio but we rarely hear them speak of the importance of TSE or Testicular Self-Examination.

Click below:
http://www.healthmad.com/Men's-Health/Getting-to-Know-Your-Scrotum.130350

Is Your Food Bugged?

Is Your Food Bugged?

Bugs in your peanut butter and orange juice are a common occurrence, but who woulda thunk it?

If you have a vegetable garden you will expect to find ear wigs, worms, and bugs in your harvest. You make sure your food is properly washed and double check for any insects that might have been overlooked. It's easy to be sure you get the bugs out before you serve your family but, it isn't as easy for large scale commercially harvested food. It would be impossible to check every vegetable, grain silo, corn crib, and flour mill world wide to avoid such contaminants so the FDA has set guidelines for how much foreign matter…more precisely bugs, larvae, eggs, and rodent hair can be safely allowed in our food. It is estimated that each of us eats an average of one pound of insects every year.

http://www.healthmad.com/Health/Is-Your-Food-Bugged.114804

Top Five Reasons to Exercise If You Have a Chronic Illness

The pain and ache of chronic illness such as arthritis, lupus, or fibromyalgia can stop a person cold on track at times. Besides taking medication to control this chronic illness, you have to make it a priority to exercise daily. Medicine alone is not enough. Your joints and muscles need to develop strength and endurance.

Here is a list of five wonderful reasons why you have to exercise as chronic illness suffers.
by Icycucky

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/707935/top_five_reasons_to_exercise_if_you.html

Grocery Label Ingredients and What They Mean

Photo: Flicker Creative Commons
by ninjapoodles

Grocery labels can be deceiving and confusing. This is an explanation of the most commonly used ingredients.

When we read the ingredient list on packaged foods, we take it for granted that ingredients with names like Dry Milk Solids, Spice or Citric Acid are harmless because they are names we are familiar with. Other ingredients are unfamiliar but it is easy to overlook them if we see them often enough.

Below is a list of the most common ingredients found on grocery food ingredient lists and the meaning of words used to describe them.

Fresh: When a food is referred to as fresh, this means that the food is raw, preservative free, and has never been cooked or frozen.

Healthy: Healthy foods must contain vitamin A or C protein or fiber, calcium, iron, low amounts of cholesterol, be low in fats.....more
Click Below:

http://www.healthmad.com/Nutrition/Grocery-Label-Ingredients-and-
What-They-Mean.28485

Societal Bullying-taking the Bully by the Horns

Bullying is often used to transfer the hurt one feels onto others. It is usually done in an effort to make one feel better about oneself. Some bullies may also be victims of bullying.

Often this causes the feeling of low self esteem and by bullying others it creates a false impression of feeling important or superior that fleetingly replaces the pain and insecurity they hold inside. More...Click Below:

http://www.socyberty.com/Sociology/Societal-Bullyingtaking-the-Bully-by-the-
Horns.52726

A Satirical Look at Dieting

Banging your head against the wall for one hour, will burn 150 calories but there are other less painful methods of losing weight. If you have a large lawn and like to cut grass, a half hour of mowing will burn 100 calories. Live in an apartment? No problem. Thirty-five minutes of vacuuming will also burn 100 calories. And for those who are not into housework, a nice brisk half hour walk will burn that same 100 calories.

On an average, Americans eat the equivalent of 18 acres of pizza a day. That's a lot of pizza and I do eat my share. One slice of pepperoni pizza is approximately 300 calories but I find it hard to stop at just one slice. More.....
http://www.healthmad.com/Weight-Loss/Dieting.40067

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: AReal Attention Grabber

They appear to be the loving, caring mothers of very sick children. They are relentless in their efforts to help doctors find cures for the mysterious diseases that plague their children. They are women who suffer from Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy (MSBP). more..

http://www.healthmad.com/Conditions-and-Diseases/Munchausen-Syndrome-by-Proxy-AReal-Attention-Grabber.87696

Even More Uses for Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the most versatile products known to man. It is a natural antiseptic, deodorant, and disinfectant. It can be used to clean laundry, dishes, windows, floors, toys, corrosion, stains, and crayon marks. You can soothe the sting of bug bites, wounds and dry skin and so much more. It is completely biodegradable, natural, and costs only pennies per use.

Below I have listed ten more uses for vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is referred as vinegar. Apple Cider Vinegar is referred to by it's own name: more...
http://www.gomestic.com/Homemaking/Even-More-Uses-for-Vinegar.32609

Blogging With Purpose

This award was given to me by Laurie at http://thehealthyhermit.blogspot.com/
Blogging With Purpose Award Rules:
Awarded parties must nominate five people who have not received the award.The blogs that receive the award must serve some purpose.In their post about the award they need to link back to this entry.Awarded parties must post the award banner on their site. The banner must remain linked to the above linked site.
I would like to nominate: Thanate Tan http://www.blogcatalog.com/user/Thanat
Hye http://entry4cash.blogspot.com/
Kebelle http://spirituality-page.blogspot.com
amzolt http://benedharmex.blogspot.com/
Tomas http://captains-bridge.blogspot.com/

Have You Had Your Weedies Today? An Herb Guide for Beginners

They have been around for as long as man has been on earth. To those who don't know their worth, they are considered pests but those who know them have cured ills, calmed toothaches, knit bone, and even used them to embalm bodies. Some call them weeds…others know them as herbs.

The ability for herbs to heal and make whole still applies today. Through infusions, teas, poultices, salves, and tinctures man has gained knowledge to heal through God's miraculous pharmacy. Below is a list of common herbs and preparations.
http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/Have-You-Had-Your-Weedies-Today-An-Herb-Guide-for-Beginners.84862/1

CLEANING WITH VINEGAR

Cleaning your home doesn't have to be done with harsh and harmful chemicals.

Today's homes contain an alarming variety of harmful household cleaners. More and more people are finding they are sensitive to chemical products they were once able to use, causing increasing concern about long term exposure. In my search to find effective substitutes I found one product to be universal and reliable... White Vinegar.

White vinegar can be used to disinfect, clean and shine nearly every surface in and around your home without a lingering vinegar smell.

Click link to read more...

http://www.gomestic.com/Homemaking/Cleaning-With-Vinegar.11881

Understanding the Art of Aromatherapy

The term Aromatherapy originated in the 1930's from the French chemist Rene Maurice Gattefosse but the use of essential oils in healing therapy is much older. The ancient Chinese, Egyptians, Persians, Indian, and Arabic societies used many different essential oils for medicinal purposes meaning Aromatherapy oils and their benefits have been around for centuries. The art of Aromatherapy was handed down through the ages and the western world is being reintroduced to the healing powers of essential oils....

Click link to read more...

http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/Understanding-the-Art-of-Aromatherapy.61784

Attack of the Energy Vampire

We all have our own personal energy field. This force determines how we feel, how we think, and how we function. Because our bodies are in constant contact with both good and bad energy it is important to maintain our own personal supply to stay composed, relaxed, and in tune with the world.

There are many ways to experience loss of personal energy. It can happen through, poor diet, lack of exercise, too little sleep, poor organizational skills, and surprisingly enough…by letting other people steal it from you. This is not a malicious attack nor is it a conscious act but simply the difference in how our bodies are wired...

Click link to read more...

http://www.socyberty.com/Lifestyle-Choices/Bite-of-the-Energy-Vampire.72793

Drink to Your Health: The Healing Properties of Tea

Ginger Tea

This spicy tea has long been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal problems including vomiting and motion sickness. Ginger is also known to help lower cholesterol and works as an effective blood thinner.

Fennel Tea

Fennel tea is used to relieve bloating, stomach cramps, colic and other stomach discomforts.

Click link to read more..

http://www.healthmad.com/Nutrition/Drink-to-Your-Health-The-Healing-Properties-of-Tea.71371

FOOD FOR THOUGHT...THE SKINNY ON MSG

About 30% of our population experience adverse reactions to MSG. Sometimes we don't see the symptom being MSG related because they may not show up for an hour or more after a meal while in some people, it can show up before they leave the dinner table. Most sufferers just pass it off as typical....an inconvenience they have learned to live with. Some symptoms are,migraine headache, simple headache, depression, rash, racing heart, lethargy, asthma like symptoms, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, bloating, diarrhea, general weakness, gastric distress, shortness of breath, irregular heart beat, panic attacks, mood swings, flushing, tremors, poor concentration and hyperactivity in children.

Click link to read more...

http://www.healthmad.com/Nutrition/Food-for-Thoughtthe-Skinny-on-MSG.24915

CHANGE YOUR LIFE WITH POSITIVE THINKING

Thoughts are a form of energy and so are our beliefs. Because positive and negative energy both play a major roll in our lives, what we think and believe decide how we will live it. To think positively is to feel positive and when you feel positive your life is happier.

Click link to read more...

http://www.socyberty.com/Advice/Change-Your-Life-With-Positive-Thinking.16276

BENEFITS OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Apple Cider Vinegar has been used as a health aid for thousands of years. For many of us it is a common item on our grocery list and with good reason. ACV is rich in vitamins and minerals as well as enzymes, amino acids, potash, propionic acid and apple pectin. It can lower cholesterol by flushing fats, thins blood to help control blood pressure and ACV fiber helps to control glucose in the blood. While we are told to stay away from vinegar if we have a yeast infection, organic apple cider vinegar aids in stopping the infection.

Click link to read more...

http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/Benefits-of-Apple-Cider-Vinegar.12778

BUSTING STRESS BEFORE STRESS BUSTS YOU

In our ever changing life styles stress can play a major roll. Whether it is money, family, or work related problems stress always seems to find us. What you may not know is that stress can affect your health.

http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/Busting-Stress-Before-Stress-Busts-You.36518

The Hazardous Dump Site Hiding in Your Home

The worst source of indoor pollution found in homes today is carpeting. Plush carpets are deep reservoirs in which toxic compounds, allergens, and dangerous bacteria dwell. According to one paper in Applied Microbiology, one square foot of carpet can contain millions of dust mites, mold spores, and micro-organisms that regular vacuuming cannot eliminate.

http://www.gomestic.com/Home/The-Hazardous-Dump-Site-Hiding-in-Your-Home.42981