It's no secret that a little hot pepper will reduce pain.  If your stomach can handle it, you must keep a container of Fresh Salsa with Rotel as a staple snack in your refrigerator.  I was pleasantly surprised after a horrendous day of work on Friday when I sampled some.  I came home with the usual pangs of pain beginning that would keep me subdued in the evening.  But, once I sampled this treat I was left with only the remnants which usually can be a profound flare-up.  Grab some corn chips and you're set!

How do hot peppers help?

Capsaicin, the active ingredient in spicy hot chili peppers such as the jalapeno, is most often experienced as an irritant, but it may also be used to reduce pain. A new work published by Drs. Feng Qin and Jing Yao in this week's PLoS Biology uses capsaicin to uncover novel insight into how pain-receptor systems can adapt to painful stimuli.

Capsaicin acts by binding to a receptor in the cell wall of nerve endings and triggering an influx of calcium ions into the neuron. Eventually, the nervous system interprets this cascade of events as pain or heat, depending on which nerves are stimulated. Scientists had previously linked the pain-relieving
effects of capsaicin to a lipid called PIP2, found in cell membranes. When capsaicin is applied to the skin it induces a strong depletion of PIP2 in the cell membrane.

"The receptor acts like a gate to the neurons," said Qin. "When stimulated it opens, letting outside calcium enter the cells until the receptor shuts down, a process called desensitization. The analgesic action of capsaicin is believed to involve this desensitization process. However, how the entry of calcium leads to
the loss of sensitivity of the neurons was not clear."-Science News Today

1 10 oz. can original Rotel
3-4 medium chopped tomatoes
1/2 chopped sweet onion
1 clove garlic 
1 tsp. honey
1/2 tsp. salt
1  1/2 tab. lime juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 - 1/2 bunch of cilantro lightly chopped

Add all to blender and pulse until lightly chopped.  Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to
marry the spices.

Diet plays a crucial role in reducing the amount of fibromyalgia flare-ups.  If you've purchased Phase I or Phase II of my suggested dietary guidelines, you now understand the importance of proper nutrition.  Within a few weeks of purchase, clients note a remarkable reduction in pain issues.

Much of this reduction is attributed to the incorporation of protein.  Protein should be a staple in any food choice.  Whether it be for a meal or snack, protein should be ingested each time in varying amounts.  For a main meal 3-6 oz. is sufficient depending on your size and weight.  For a snack, follow the package guidelines for single serving suggested amounts. 

If you are unsure of the power of protein, take note of its benefits below:

If you're reading through that list noting some issues you are facing today, you can see the value of protein in your diet.  Remember, it is the large amounts of protein that have received a bad rap.  Protein is essential for survival and ensuring your body is receiving the right amount is the first step to recovery.

Finding a doctor/specialist who treats fibromyalgia can be an awesome undertaking.  With the disease specifics targeting the nervous system, even the simple task of following up with referrals can be overwhelming especially if you are consistently met with, "No, I apologize the Dr. does not treat fibromyalgia."

It seems that finally receiving the diagnosis is not the most difficult issue.  With months or years of personal pain management under your belt, getting this analysis can be a relief.   It  blesses you with  the simple knowledge that your symptoms actually have a name.  Unfortunately, getting a professional to advise and manage your symptoms is yet another chapter that must be filled in a never ending story.

Many fibro sufferers revert to primary physicians, who are inexperienced in dealing with such an illusive list of symptomologies.  These individuals leave the facility feeling overwhelmed or hopeful that this new substance in tow will be an answer to the complaints that have totally griped their life.  But deep down,  feeling like a personal guinea pig, that constant nagging question remains - "Why can't I find someone who specifically know this illness?"

And, if you are Google friendly, you can locate a few of those angels who sponsor their sites on the Internet.  Unfortunately, it is like looking for a needle in a haystack as you can only find one or two in your area- if you are lucky at all.  Furthermore, the idea of seeking a second opinon, leaves no one to consult. But, I know there are many out there that are not publicly profiled that are knowledgeable in this field and I stand committed to starting a database for all those souls out there looking for answers.  This new page will include Find A Fibromyalgia Doctor. 

In the meantime I share some reputable sites after spending countless hours on the Internet trying to find a Fibromyalgia Doctor Database: (Please share doctors you feel are confident)

• ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Good Doctor List

• Fibromyalgia (FMS)  and  chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP" Information for Patients and  Specialists

 

Gosh, somedays you feel as though you are on an island alone with this disease.  It is often hard to find knowledgeable help from the medical community in deciphering the debilitating states of this illness.  Since there are few medical tests that can point the trigger to a real malady, Fibromyalgia has become the "catch all phrase" to a phenomenon that can become difficult in finding a practioner willing to treat the symptoms.

Sadly, most patients are refered to rheumatologists who already have heavy client loads in tow.  Many will openly state when you call for an appointment that they don't treat fibromyalgia.  Could it be the recent increase with disablity cases related to this issue?  I can only imagine the paperwork required to help such a patient secure necessary financial means when you are overwhelmed already. 

It is no wonder patients must resort to resourceful reading in hopes of attaining a more comfortable lifestyle.  The The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D., offers matter of fact testing and lifestyle changes making it the essential guide to aid Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia suffers.  It offers a great reference for those who may need a bit of knowledge to gain testing from their primary care providers.

Jacob Teitelbaum knows fibromyalgia as he was once a sufferer who ended up homeless from the disease.  He is a board-certified internist and expert in the fields of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, sleep and pain.  He uses the best strategies for natural and prescription options  from the most recent alternative therapies and recommends lifestyle modifications.  He addresses the most baffling, often dismissed symptoms associated with these debilitating conditions.  With his SHINE Protocol he addresses SLEEP, HORMONAL SUPPORT, INFECTIONS, NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT, and EXERCISE he creats a new lifeline for anyone seeking compassionate, proven approaches for restoring wellness and regaining optimal energy and vitality.

According to Jacob Teitelbaum, M. D. one of the worst things a fibromyalgia patient can do is decrease salt intake.  Despite the media blitz on decreasing this precious mineral, salt is essential for basic body metabolism and can actually make you feel better.  A precautionary recommendation before  we begin, do check with your physician before increasing your salt intake.

An optimal way to add a bit of salt to your diet is to purchase Himalayan salt.  Himalayan salt can be sprinkled lovingly over soups, salads, and other entrees ensuring you receive ultimate benefits. It is loaded with 84 trace minerals to keep your body running well.

Why Do We Need Salt?

Salt plays a very important role in a healthy functioning body. It aids in  retention of water in the body, stimulates muscle contractions and has nutrients that are useful for the functioning of the digestive system.
Deficiency of salt can result in tissue-water disturbances and heavy perspiration in high temperatures.

Essentially, every cell in the human body is dependent on the presence of sodium. We find sodium diffused throughout the fluid between cells. Each cell in our body is like a small ocean containing salty water. Inside our cells we find primarily potassium. These two minerals, sodium and potassium need to be in
constant, dynamic balance so the cells can exchange incoming energy with outgoing, depleted energy. Your body is constantly monitoring these minerals and working to maintain their delicate balance.

Something has begun to happen with the implementation of cultured foods to my life.  My nails, which once toted no moons when I was in the full pangs of the initial sickness, have recently started to materialize.  Only two years ago, I noted little slivers, if at all, on some finger nails.  I am a keen observer making mental notes on how body initially began to deteriorate and this small infraction made me scour the internet in search of material to shed light on my  phenomenon.  What I did find was nutritional deficiencies were at the root of the problem.  But thre was no speculation as to what nutrients these could be.

At this point, my moons are healthy and full in only a few short months time.  This time I attribute to when I first began writing about cultured foods and adding them to my daily diet.  More importantly, my nails which were once so painfully thin that I'd often refer to them as "paper finger nails", are now strong.  Yes, these nails that once forced me to bite them because they would tear and peel for no apparent reason are now different.  They are longer and stronger with no possibility of allowing my jaws to traumatize them any longer.  Most importantly, I have had no significant additions to my protocol besides centering my food on incorporating more probiotics/cultured foods into my life.

Cheeses are yet another aged food that offers wonderful enzymes to me daily.  I am not lactose intolerant so I can enjoy a bit each day.  A universe of cultured dairy unto itself, cheese is, as food scientist Harold McGee put it, “one of the great achievements of humankind.” What began thousands of years ago as a simple means to preserve milk now encompasses a brain-boggling variety of styles, textures, types and flavors. There are fresh, soft cheeses like cottage cheese and cream cheese, and fresh, firmer ones like ricotta or queso fresco. There are pickled or salted cheeses like feta, stretched-curd cheeses like mozzarella and pressed cheeses like Colby or Jack. There are washed-rind cheese, blue-veined cheeses and hard grating cheeses.

Most fibromyalgia suffers have latent food sensitivities so it is imporant that you find cheeses that agree with your well-being and don't promote flare-ups.  One I've found I can ingest daily is feta. If you are looking for a tangy, crumbly cheese, feta --a traditional Greek cheese -- offers up a toothsome texture. This type of
cheese  is most often made from goat or sheep cheese, although you may also find it made  from cow's milk. In all cases, you can purchase this cheese made from pasteurized milk or unpasteurized milk. Feta cheese offers a range of nutritional benefits.  A great way to incorporate this treat daily is by making the tasty Fibromyalgia Salad.

Another a great addition that is an easy tote in your lunch bag is string cheese.  This I utilize as a mid-afternoon snack about three times a week.  While cheese does contain dairy, it falls into the protein category in a typical diet. You can exchange cheese for meat-based protein such as poultry, fish and beef.  It is recommended that protein make up 1/4 of all of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. Therefore, you can choose to include string cheese as the protein in your meals. Protein rebuilds damaged tissues and ligaments.

For those times I need an extra snack on a hunger spike, I grab a slice of swiss cheese in the dairy drawer of my refrigerator.  Even small servings of Swiss cheese have nutrients that are good for your bones, your eyesight, and your immune system. A small 1 oz. serving is roughly the same amount of cheese found in a 1-inch cheese cube, a small slice of quiche or a sandwich in which cheese is not the primary ingredient. In addition to these uses, consider adding Swiss cheese to casseroles and salads.

Try centering your foods and snacks on cultured foods.  There are numerous studies that cultured foods no longer are thought of aids to the digestive system.  In fact, it is believed, that we as Americans have lost our lust for such wholesome food products therefore opening our immune systems to a myriad of new disease.