HEALTHY LIVING Fix Your. . . Fibromyalgia
OVERVIEW: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain throughout the body that lasts for at least three months. It is often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disorders, and cognitive dificulties, such as inability to focus and pay attention, commonly referred to as “fibro fog.”
WHY YOU HAVE FIBROMYALGIA Genetics. If family members have
fibromyalgia, your odds of developing the condition may be higher. Age. Although fibromyalgia can
occur at any age, people over 40 are more likely to experience it. Sex. Fibromyalgia is twice as common in women. Medical conditions. Osteoarthritis,
lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis increase the odds. Trauma. A physical event such
as a car accident or protracted psychological stress may trigger fibromyalgia.
WHAT TO DO Take over-the-counter pain
relievers. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen sodium (Aleve) can help ease pain. Take vitamin D. People with
fibromyalgia are often deficient in vitamin D, which can cause inflammation that leads to chronic pain. Avoid food additives. Additives
like monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer added to restaurant foods, soups, and salad dressings, and the artificial sweetener aspartame may worsen symptoms. A study published in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology found
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that patients who had both fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome saw their symptoms reduced by 30% when they stopped eating foods with MSG. Exercise. While
exercise may increase pain at first, exercising on a regular basis can decrease symptoms. Try walking, swimming, and biking. Practice yoga and tai
chi. Both techniques have been found to help control fibromyalgia symptoms. Use olive oil. A study published in the journal Nutrients found that extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) lowers oxidative stress that can lead to inflammation and pain. Take ginseng. A
study published in Pharmaceuticals found that ginseng increased energy, improved mental clarity, and helped symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Take magnesium. Women with fibromyalgia have lower levels of
Green Light Therapy Reduces Fibromyalgia Pain
cientists at the University of Arizona Health Sciences conducted a pilot clinical study with fibromyalgia patients who did not respond to traditional treatment options. The study participants were given white and green LED light strips and instructed to use white light for 10 weeks, followed by green for 10 weeks, in a dark room for an hour a day with the option to increase to two hours daily. When using green light compared
94 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | MAY 2025
with white light, participants reported an average reduction in pain intensity from 8.4 to 4.9 on a 10-point scale. “Their pain improved; their quality of life improved,” said Mohab Ibrahim, M.D., Ph.D. Researchers say that green light therapy, which has also been shown to reduce migraine pain, is an exciting potential treatment option and needs more investigation into how it works exactly.
magnesium. In one study, participants who sprayed a solution of 400 mg of magnesium on their limbs twice a day for two months reported an improvement in their fibromyalgia symptoms.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS If you suspect you have fibromyalgia and your pain doesn’t ease, consult with your
physician. The criteria for a fibromyalgia diagnosis include pain in four out
of five areas: left upper region (arm, shoulder, or jaw); right upper region (arm, shoulder, or jaw); left lower region (hip or leg); right lower region (hip or leg); or the axial region (neck, back, chest, or abdomen). If diagnosed, you may be prescribed one of three drugs specifically approved
to treat the pain of fibromyalgia: duloxetine (Cymbalta), milnacipran (Savella), or pregabalin (Lyrica).
SOURCES: Cleveland Clinic; Mayo Clinic; WebMD;
medlineplus.gov; National Institutes of Health;
healthline.com
HEAD/PRIMIPIL©ISTOCK / BODY/PIKOVIT44©ISTOCK
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