Fibromyalgia. What are the symptoms? How is it diagnosed and assessed? What are the physiological causes? What are the medical treatments? Are there are any natural treatments? What are the latest scientific discoveries? What is the importance of proper nutrition? What is a fatigue-related syndrome?

Any definition of fibromyalgia has to refer imbalances in the immune system antibody protection against disease, in the hormone production centre known as the endocrine system and in the central nervous system signalling system from the brain to the spinal cord. An estimated 70% of fibromyalgia sufferers experience overwhelming fatigue. What is surprising is that 6% of the general population suffer from fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia affects 9 times as many women as men between ages 20-55.

Besides the primary symptoms of persistent and chronic muscle, joint, bone pain in the shoulder, back, neck regions there is usually the presence of tenderness or pain in 11 or more of 18 specific points on the body. Signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia include insomnia, anxiety, nerve pain,ligament pain, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder problems, depression, headaches, morning stiffness, failures in short-term memory and concentration, dry eyes.

Among women there are heavy periods, pelvic pain, painful sexual intercourse symptoms. Interestingly, about 80-90% of fibromyalgia sufferers are women affected by this during their childbearing years. Also, the pain migrates between areas so one day the neck may ache while the next day the legs may ache for hours causing continuous and prolonged muscle and tendon pain.

When improved nutrition is introduced to help the body systems network properly at the important cellular level fibromyalgia can be treated. Our body sends out alarms when the diet is lacking resulting in lethargy, aches and pains. Our body tissues have to be repaired and regenerated by food.

Fibromyalgia is thought to arise from toxic overload when the liver which detoxifies our bodies can't keep pace with the removal of toxins which are now deposited in the muscle fibres and connective tissues leading to pain and discomfort. Immune disorders are caused by low levels of toxins ingestion. Good nutrition allows our cells to be continually nourished and washed clean of waste whereas poor nutrition leads to toxic buildup within the cells.

Where there is any imbalance in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland control over the chemical serotonin which contains and releases the cortisol hormone into the body there is fatigue, mood changes, sleeplessness, lowered pain tolerance and disrupted sleep cycles. Oversensitive nerve cells lead to ever more widespread tissue pain.

When less growth hormone is manufactured by the body during the deep phase of sleep there is disruption of the sleep alpha wave leading to disturbed sleep which is thought to be another likely of fibromyalgia.

One cause of fibromyalgia is thought to be the autoimmune system going into overdrive to deal with leaked toxins seepage through permeated thin walls of the large intestine. Instead of just nutrients being absorbed into the bloodstream, toxins leak through the gut. Restricted diets lead to immune system disorders such as fibromyalgia. Combine this with stress released hormone cortisone which creates high stress levels which inflame and damages the intestine. Amino acids increase levels of stress hormones.

Fibromyalgia has only become prevalent during the last 100 years with the occurrence of artificial fertilizers, pesticides which kill the ability of plants to absorb nutrient-rich minerals, artificial ripening and storage. With food chemicals, food additives, food preservatives any treatment programme for fibromyalgia requires detoxification of the large intestine, antioxidant foods and an additive free diet

Some known triggers for fibromyalgia are believed to be emotionally causative such as emotional abuse leading to overt dysfunction caused by repressed powerful and painful memories of trauma stored in the subconscious mind. In the subconscious mind is where every event in our life that has occurred is recorded. Stress and the physical trauma from accidents trigger fibromyalgia.

Certain foods build and regenerate only certain parts of the body. Organically grown produce is always better than foodstuffs which are low in nutrients and high in toxicity. In order to sustain our lives, we need an essential 13 vitamins, 22 minerals, 8 amino acids, 2 fatty acids daily. Amino acids are the building blocks for making our cells, muscle repair, tissue repair and to make antibodies.

Fibromyalgia is the result of suppressed immune systems, confused nerve sensation processing, abnormal hormone levels, low energy in muscles, tendons, ligaments and the large intestine being clogged with waste. All illness and disease can ultimately be attributed to mineral deficiency and therefore nutritional deficiencies.

Medical treatment for fibromyalgia uses tryptophan to produce more serotonin which is deficient where fibromyalgia occurs. Serotonin is the pain reducing chemical absent in fibromyalgia. With daily doses of 100-500 mg of 5-hydroxytryptophan the fibromyalgia can be treated.

Tryptophan rich foods such as fish, turkey, avocados, chicken, bananas, cottage cheese, wheat increase the levels of serotonin in the body. Tyrosine amino acid is essential for the production of thyroid hormones which transmit nerve impulses to the brain, improve memory, increase mental alertness and ensure the healthy function of the thyroid gland.

Essential in any cure for fibromyalgia is the presence of malic acid. ATP is also known as adenosine triphosphate or phosphoric acid. Without this phosphoric acid, the brain just can't function. Each time the brain sends out chemical signals via neurotransmitters between our cells to our muscles it requires this phosphoric acid called adenosine triphosphate.

Since fibromyalgia is essentially nutrition deficiency affecting the body, one of the required vitamins and minerals and trace elements required for the muscles to function is magnesium. Magnesium is one of the trace nutrients found most in proteins such as tuna and salmon, turkey and chicken, lean meats, beans, peas tofu.

By taking 100mgs of malic acid and magnesium per day on medical prescription the nutritional deficiencies at the cause of fibromyalgia can be overcome.

Fibromyalgia was not recognised as a serious medical condition for a long time by the medical profession. Now it has been identified as a stress caused severe psychosomatic condition.