Fibromyalgia is a health problem characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips; also may cause sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritated bowel, anxiety, and other symptoms.
Fibromyalgia can involve other over lapping conditions: fatigue, yeast, gut health issues, body weight abnormalities.
The fundamental cause of fibromyalgia is an out of balance immune system, lack of energy and oxygen to the cells and a build of toxins in the body (and the subsequent pH imbalance). In mainstream medicine the only form of treatment are immune suppressive medications and often prozac type drugs for the depression and anxiety issues that are often a part of the symptomatic picture.
What causes the pain and other symptoms in fibromyalgia is unknown from a mainstream medical point of view.
There is no cure or standard treatment for the MNDs. Symptomatic and supportive treatment can help patients be more comfortable while maintaining their quality of life. The drug riluzole (Rilutek®), which as of this date is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ALS, prolongs life by 2-3 months but does not relieve symptoms. Other medicines that may help reduce symptoms include muscle relaxants such as baclofen, tizanidine, and the benzodiazepines for spasticity; glycopyrrolate and atropine to reduce the flow of saliva; quinine or phenytoin for cramps; anticonvulsants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain; tranquilizers to help with sleeping problems; antidepressants; and botulinum toxin, amitriptyline, and other anticholinergic drugs to control drooling. Some patients may require stronger medicines such as morphine to cope with musculoskeletal abnormalities or pain in later stages of the disorders, and opiates are used to provide comfort care in terminal stages of the disease.
One of the factors affecting in the slow progress of finding a cure for Stargardt?s is the nature of the gene responsible for this retinal disease. Some people with the gene never develop the disease, while others seem to develop it without the gene. Environmental and unknown factors play a role as well.
In the future, when a patient manifests a genetic defect, doctors hope to be able to correct it and resolve the problems it causes. Gene therapy involves inserting a functioning gene into human cells to correct a genetic error or to introduce a new function to the cells. The surgeon must transplant genes rather than cells, a strategy which miniaturizes the process by a million fold. The surgical tools are not hand-held instruments, but trained viruses. At the 1998 conference of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, a report presented just such a technique for retinitis pigmentosa (RP), another retinal degenerative disease. Researchers showed that a virus called Lenti could carry a new gene into mouse photoreceptors and could prevent the photoreceptors from degenerating for six months in a mouse model of recessive RP. That's a long time for a mouse! In another experiment, an adenovirus was used to deliver a gene designed to prevent the expression of an abnormal dominant gene for RP. Thus, it appears that both dominant and recessive forms of RP are amenable to gene therapy -- at least in mice! Before we can begin human trials of gene therapy for retinal degenerations, the long term effects of these viruses, including rejection, must be better understood. Like transplantation, this approach requires delicate subretinal surgery to place the virus near the photoreceptors and the RPE.
Bee venom therapy is the part of apitherapy which utilizes bee venom in the treatment of health conditions.
Apitherapy is the use of beehive products, including honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom.
It has been used since ancient times to treat arthritis, rheumatism, back pain, skin diseases and in this modern age as an alternative therapy to treat multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. Bee venom comes from the stingers of honey bees who use it in defense of the bee colony.
Bee venom is a rich source of enzymes, peptides and biogenic amines. There are at least 18 active components in the venom which have some pharmaceutical properties. The effect mechanism of the venom is not entirely know yet.
Scientists believe it can modify the way the immune system functions in the body and contribute to increased cortisol production.
Traditionally, bee venom was administered with live bees by stimulating them to sting in the affected area, trigger points or acupuncture points.
Depending on the nature of the disease, the standardized venom can be used in a cream, liniment, ointment or injection form.
Bee venom is most effective when it comes directly from the live bee during the late spring to early fall season when bees have a good pollen source to produce potent venom.
Their venom during the winter period is less potent. Next to the effect of a live bee, injectable venom solution is considered to be a standard method to administer bee venom.
Venom solution is prepared from pure bee venom (Apis Venenum Purum) and is a homeopathic preparation. It is administered intradermally just between the skin layers or subcutaneously under the skin to imitate the effect of a bee sting.
Each injection is equivalent to or is less than the average dry venom sac content of a honey bee. Bee venom is also used topically in creams, liniments and ointments.
The application of venom solution with electrophoresis or ultrasonophoresis is practiced in Europe and China.
Stretching also is a good relaxer for sore muscles. Carefully bend head to right and hold for ten seconds, then roll gently, head forward, then to left.
Then shrug shoulders, hold for a few seconds and then release. Repeat if needed. Go slowly and don't force head to shoulders, only go as comfortably as you feel.
A couple tips on how to prevent neck pain are simple basic ones but ones most people ignore. When using the phone, do not cradle the receiver between shoulder and ear.
Consider trying a hands-free headset if phone usage is large.
When sleeping do not sleep on stomach, instead lie on side with knees bent, this is also good for back problems.
On long car rides, place a pillow behind the neck for support. Also the simply purchase of buying a good sturdy pillow that shapes to posture is one of the best and most easiest prevention for neck pains.
