People with fibromyalgia syndrome demonstrate pervasive pain all over the body and complain of fatigue constantly. A syndrome consists of a set of complaints and physical findings that together distinguish a particular disorder. The medical community failed to recognize fibromyalgia as a syndrome until 1992. People with fibromyalgia tend to feel achy and stiff all over the body with tender points. The "Journal of Pain" reports that 8 to 10 percent of the U.S. population complains of widespread pain.
Physical Problems Found in Fibromyalgia Patients
Fibromyalgia sufferers report fatigue, pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments along with tender points that elicit pain with touch as universal issues. Other pervasive challenges include irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, sleep disturbances, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, depression, difficulty concentrating, oversensitivity to smells, noises, touch and light.
Pain and Metabolic Pathways in Fibromyalgia
The providers who care for fibromyalgia patients currently attribute the pain dysfunction to abnormal sensory functioning in the central nervous system, according to an "American Journal of Medicine" article published in 2009. This deviant pain processing involves the dysfunction of descending neuronal pathways involving the neurotransmitters of norepinephrine and serotonin. The chronic pain in fibromyalgia creates greater sensitivity to pain. Research published in 2006 in "Rheumatology International" indicates that central nervous system cells fall prey to the toxic effects of free radicals, because these cells possess a high rate of oxidative metabolic activity and a low level of protective antioxidant enzymes. Despite major advances in our understanding of the physical signs of the disease, the etiology and pathology of fibromyalgia remains unknown as of 2011 and research continues.
The Link between Fibromyalgia and Nutrition
Since a possible link exists between fibromyalgia, oxidative stress and high levels of free radicals, researchers who reported their findings in "Rheumatology International" in 2010 studied a diet high in antioxidant substances. A second theory for fibromyalgia concerned the immunological theory, involving inflammatory cytokines. This theory, published in the "Townsend Letter" in November 2010, implies that a high cytokine level produces fatigue, fever, sleep, pain, stress and aching. Therefore, anti-inflammatory diets might assist in lowering the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Yet a third theory indicates that brain tryptophan is low in fibromyalgia and tryptophan exists as the precursor to serotonin. All three concepts of the relationship of antioxidant substances, anti-inflammatory diets and tryptophan protein diets underwent investigational trials, but results showed only small beneficial effects or only short-term effects. So, the impact of dietary interventions in fibromyalgia still remains to be clarified with future investigations. Research shows no specific diet to reduce the pain of fibromyalgia at this time.
Foods Not to Eat in Fibromyalgia
An article published in "Rheumatology International" in 2010 described the negative effect of monosodium glutamate and aspartame on chronic musculoskeletal pain. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people consuming glutamate and aspartame suffer muscle pain. This documentation indicates that fibromyalgia suffers should avoid glutamate and aspartame to reduce pain.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Fibromyalgia
- "Journal of Pain"; Comparative Efficacy and Harms of Drugs in Fibromyalgia Syndrome. W. Hauser, et al.; 2010
- The Johns Hopkins Health Alert: Fibromyalgia Understanding a Mysterious Ailment
- :American Journal of Medicine"; Further Strategies for Treating Fibromyalgia; P. J. Mease, M.D.; 2009
- "Rheumatology International"; Current Concepts in the Pathlphysiology of Fibromyalgia; S. Ozgoemen, et al.; 2006
- "Rheumatology International"; Fibromyalgia and Nutrition, What Do We Know?; L. I. Arranz, et al.; 2010
