MayoClinic.com explains that fibromyalgia is a disorder where you experience severe, widespread musculoskeletal pain, along with fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Fibromyalgia affects the way your brain processes pain signals by amplifying those signals -- pain feels more intense. Fibromyalgia can occur after a physical trauma, infection, surgery, or significant psychological stress or it can occur after a long period of time, with symptoms building up in intensity. MayoClinic.com also states that women are more prone to fibromyalgia than men, and that there is no cure; however medications and changes in diet, including adopting a gluten free diet, may help in reducing symptoms.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
A dull ache arising from the muscles coming from both sides of the body, both above and below the waist, is associated with fibromyalgia, states the Mayo Clinic. Additionally, certain points on the body will be extra-sensitive, such as the back of the head, between the shoulder blades, the top of the shoulders, the front sides of the neck, the upper chest, the outer elbows, the upper hips, the sides of the hips and the inner knees.
The Mayo Clinic mentions that fatigue and sleep disturbances are also a part of fibromyalgia. This is because regular sleep is interrupted with pain, and patients with fibromyalgia may also have accompanying disorders like restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. Additionally, those with fibromyalgia may also have the following conditions: fatigue, anxiety, depression, endometriosis, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome.
Gluten Protein
The Mayo Clinic explains a gluten-free diet as one that does not include the gluten protein; this is the protein that can be found in barley, bulgur, durham, farina, graham flour, kamut, matzo meal, rye, semolina, spelt, triticale, wheat and foods not labeled "gluten free." Additionally, you should check labels to learn if the food product was produced in a facility that also produces the following gluten products, to avoid cross-contamination: beers, breads, candies, cakes/pies, cereals, cookies, crackers, croutons, gravies, imitation meats or seafood, oats, pastas, processed luncheon meats, salad dressings, sauces, self-basting poultry and soups.
Treating the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Since fibromyalgia has no cure, the best way to manage the condition is to treat the symptoms. If you experience a great deal of uncomfortable bowel movements and develop irritable bowel syndrome, your doctor may prescribe a gluten-free diet to reduce bowl irritability, explains HealthFitnessWellbeing.com. This is one way experts can assist certain patients since this disease has no direct cause and no cure.
Foods on a Gluten Free Diet
For starches in your gluten-free diet, the MayoClinic.com recommends the following: amaranth, arrowroot, buckwheat, corn, cornmeal, gluten-free flours, hominy grits, polenta, pure corn tortillas, rice, quinoa and tapioca. You can also eat foods such as fruits, fish, fresh meats, poultry, most dairy products, potatoes, rice, vegetables, wines, and distilled liquors/ciders/spirits.
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