Waterfall of Health

Why fatigue accompanies pain

April 15th, 2008 by Richard Brassaw

Why are more women, than men, diagnosed with chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia? Approximately, 94% of people with chronic fatigue report muscle pain. Nearly, 75% of people reporting chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain report having fatigue. Women are the majority of patients reporting these symptoms.
Katheleen Sluka, PhD, professor Graduate Program in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation [...]


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Fibromyalgia could be alleviated with cortisol treatments

March 25th, 2008 by Richard Brassaw

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are debilitating diseases with no known cause and both with limited treatments for the symptoms and nothing for the underlying cause.
Kent Holtorf, MD, medical director, Holtorf Medical Group Center for Endocrine, Neurological and Infection related illness, Torrance, Calif., reports that after a comprehensive literature study that the majority of [...]


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Fibromyalgia pain associated with specific brain molecule

March 11th, 2008 by Richard Brassaw

Fibromyalgia patients frequently find their way to the doctor’s office because of unexplained pain in their neck, shoulder, and/or back. The cause for the chronic pain has baffled the medical profession for decades; often resulting in a diagnosis that the brain in in the patients head.
Richard E. Harris, PhD, research assistant professor, Division of Rheumatology [...]


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Fibromyalgia Awareness Day - May 12, 2008

March 1st, 2008 by Richard Brassaw

For individuals who struggle with fibromyalgia, and their family and friends, the National Fibromyalgia Association’s (NFA) Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, ‘Caring by Sharing’ is quickly approaching and just weeks away.
If you are in California you can join their Walk of Fame on May 10, 2008. The walk/run will be held at The Block at Orange, in [...]


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Fibromyalgia Pain Management

February 28th, 2008 by Richard Brassaw

Fibromyalgia pain can cause severe pain, which makes it difficult for a person with the disease to think clearly. For some, fibromyalgia pain can become so intense that it is a struggle just to get through the day. Often the worst days are referred to as fibromyalgia fog and it is advised that fibromyalgia patients prepare [...]


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Stress research expands impact on individuals

January 12th, 2008 by Richard Brassaw

Since the 1950s stress has directly been linked to coronary heart disease. In one study chronic stress at work or at home was attributed to a 30% increase of death during a 9-year study. Depression has also been linked as a result to stress. But it is also noted that both heart disease and depression [...]


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Bee’s fibromyalgia story

December 4th, 2007 by Richard Brassaw

The medical community tries its best to explain disease symptoms like fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, the medical community’s explanations do not jive with the experience of someone who has lived with the disease for most of their life.
Bee’s eclectic life is a blog by a 50’s something mother of 2 adult children who has dealt with fibromyalgia [...]


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New myofascial pain syndrome imaging technique

December 1st, 2007 by Richard Brassaw

Myofascial pain and Fibromyalgia are sometimes confused for each other, but the conditions are clinically different. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition typically characterized by widespread pain in muscles, ligaments, and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points. Myofascial pain syndrome, is a more localized pain that is associated with trigger point tenderness. A [...]


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Efforts to diagnose Fibromyalgia early

November 25th, 2007 by Richard Brassaw

The American College of Rehumatology has established general classification guidelines for fibromyalgia to help assess and study the condition. The Mayo Clinic now provides a web site based on that information and is useful for diagnosing fibromyalgia.
Because there is no single, specific diagnostic laboratory test, diagnosis can be difficult. Physicians rely on patient history, self-reported symptoms, a [...]


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Chronic disease linked to food preparation

November 4th, 2007 by Richard Brassaw

A Mount Sinai study has linked Alzheimer’s disease, kidney disease, diabetes, insulin resistance, and inflammation to advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGE naturally occurs highest in animal products that are grilled, fried, or broiled (i.e. meats and cheeses).
Researchers are alarmed at how AGE consumption correlates with the current trends of disease epidemics. They understand that the concept of food-related AGE [...]


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