Michael R. Yochelson, MD, MBA on August 6, 2023 While multiple sclerosis (MS) is not a particularly common disease, it’s not rare, either. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMS), close to one million people are currently living with MS in the United States. The worldwide estimate of those living with MS is 2.9 million, according to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, and the global rate of increase means that one person is diagnosed with MS somewhere in the world every five minutes. One encouraging development in MS care is that the time it takes…
Read MoreFibromyalgia Treatment Is a Real Gas
By Pat Anson, PNN Editor Immersing fibromyalgia patients in high levels of oxygen is more effective at treating their pain and other symptoms than two medications commonly prescribed for the disorder, according to a new study. Researchers at Tel Aviv University have been studying hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for years as a possible treatment for fibromyalgia, a poorly understood condition characterized by widespread body pain, headaches, fatigue, depression and insomnia. Hyperbaric medicine is a form of treatment in which patients stay in a pressurized chamber and breathe 100% oxygen…
Read MoreCan you die from fibromyalgia?
I feel like I die a little more day by day. I think of ending me every morning upon waking and every night before sleeping. The Only reasons I don’t…a wonderful man and our dog. I am always in pain. If not my back, then it’s my legs….i could name the parts of me that don’t hurt much easier than the ones that do. Some days are unbearable, I don’t get strong painkillers, I don’t get painkillers at all, really. I get 100 mgs. Of Tramadol per day. I not…
Read MoreWhat is the root cause of fibromyalgia
Summary When we look at the root cause of fibromyalgia we need to look at two levels: The cause of the symptoms Although the cause of fibromyalgia is said to be unknown, scientists in general terms understand that the symptoms are caused by a sensitisation of the nervous system causing it to act like an amplifier. Because of this normal stimuli becomes painful and pain becomes much worse. Also, because the nervous system control practically everything in your body it can cause a host of seemingly unrelated symptoms. The cause…
Read MoreHow to recognize fibromyalgia flares
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body. Symptoms of fibromyalgia flares vary but often involve widespread pain, joint stiffness, and extreme sensitivity to stimuli. Scientists estimate that around 4 million adultsTrusted Source in the United States have fibromyalgia. Women are twice as likely to have fibromyalgia as men. Children can have fibromyalgia, but it is more common in older adults. When fibromyalgia pains flare up, every activity can seem more difficult. All people experience flares differently, and there can be different triggers depending on the person. This…
Read MoreIs fibromyalgia real?
Ask the doctors Q. My friend was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but it seems like she might be imagining her symptoms. Is fibromyalgia a real condition?A. The short answer to your question is yes. Fibromyalgia is a real condition that affects some four million Americans. It’s a chronic pain syndrome that experts believe may be caused by a malfunctioning nervous system. Researchers using magnetic resonance imaging to examine the brains of people with fibromyalgia have found abnormalities in the part of the brain that processes pain signals from the body. It appears that this…
Read MoreIs fibromyalgia worse in women?
Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men. They also typically experience more severe symptoms. Fibromyalgia symptoms in women can include fatigue, pain throughout the body, digestive issues, and more. Studies show that women with fibromyalgia typically experience moreTrusted Source generalized pain, distress, and other associated symptoms, than men. In this article, we explore the different ways that men and women may experience fibromyalgia. We also describe common causes and treatments. A note about sex and gender Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,”…
Read MoreHidden and unexplained: feeling the pain of fibromyalgia
For some people, waking up every day means the start of persistent pain that affects their mood, thinking and relationships. This experience is more difficult when the pain doesn’t seem to have a cause; at least not a visible one. That’s the reality for people with fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder characterised by pain and muscle tenderness throughout the body where even the slightest touch can be sensitive. Sufferers often have other health issues, including sleep difficulties and fatigue. For a long time, fibromyalgia was thought of as a medical mystery. Technological advancement…
Read More7 organs or glands you may do just fine without
But if they’re unneeded, why do we have them? September 18, 2023By Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing There was a time when pediatricians routinely recommended tonsil removal, even for healthy children — including me. As far as I can tell, I suffered no ill effects — plus, I got extra ice cream! That practice is no longer routine. But it does raise an interesting question: Why do we have body parts that can be safely removed? If they’re not…
Read MoreCellulitis: How long does it take to heal on legs?
When this common skin infection affects the lower leg, symptoms can persist for days after successful antibiotic treatment. November 20, 2023By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter Cellulitis is an infection of the deep layers of the skin. It develops when bacteria enter through a cut, bite, or wound — including tiny breaks in cracked, dry skin. Common skin-dwelling bacteria, Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, are the usual culprits. Although cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body, the most common location is the lower leg. Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and associate professor…
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