Sunday, February 20, 2011

Fibromyalgia




While the underlying cause or causes of FM still remain a mystery, new research findings continue to bring us closer to understanding the basic mechanisms of fibromyalgia. Most researchers agree that FM is a disorder of central processing with neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter dysregulation. The FM patient experiences pain amplification due to abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system. An increasing number of scientific studies now show multiple physiological abnormalities in the FM patient, including: increased levels of substance P in the spinal cord, low levels of blood flow to the thalamus region of the brain, HPA axis hypofunction, low levels of serotonin and tryptophan and abnormalities in cytokine function.



Recent studies show that genetic factors may predispose individuals to a genetic susceptibility to FM. For some, the onset of FM is slow; however, in a large percentage of patients the onset is triggered by an illness or injury that causes trauma to the body. These events may act to incite an undetected physiological problem already present.



Exciting new research has also begun in the areas of brain imaging and neurosurgery. Ongoing research will test the hypothesis that FM is caused by an interpretative defect in the central nervous system that brings about abnormal pain perception. Medical researchers have just begun to untangle the truths about this life-altering disease.



Chronic widespread body pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia. Most people with fibromyalgia also experience moderate to extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, sensitivity to touch, light, and sound, and cognitive difficulties. Many individuals also experience a number of other symptoms and overlapping conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, lupus and arthritis.

* Pain
The pain of fibromyalgia is profound, chronic and widespread. It can migrate to all parts of the body and vary in intensity. FM pain has been described as stabbing and shooting pain and deep muscular aching, throbbing, and twitching. Neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling, and burning are often present and add to the discomfort of the patient. The severity of the pain and stiffness is often worse in the morning. Aggravating factors that affect pain include cold/humid weather, non-restorative sleep, physical and mental fatigue, excessive physical activity, physical inactivity, anxiety and stress.

* Fatigue
In today's world many people complain of fatigue; however, the fatigue of FM is much more than being tired after a particularly busy day or after a sleepless night. The fatigue of FM is an all-encompassing exhaustion that can interfere with occupational, personal, social or educational activities. Symptoms include profound exhaustion and poor stamina

* Sleep problems
Many fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder that prevents them from getting deep, restful, restorative sleep. Medical researchers have documented specific and distinctive abnormalities in the Stage 4 deep sleep of FM patients. During sleep, individuals with FM are constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity, limiting the amount of time they spend in deep sleep.

* Other symptoms/overlapping conditions
Additional symptoms may include: irritable bowel and bladder, headaches and migraines, restless legs syndrome (periodic limb movement disorder), impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems, Raynaud's Syndrome, neurological symptoms, and impaired coordination.


Tender Points Illustration Front and BackDiagnosis



Currently there are no laboratory tests available for diagnosing fibromyalgia. Doctors must rely on patient histories, self-reported symptoms, a physical examination and an accurate manual tender point examination. This exam is based on the standardized American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. Proper implementation of the exam determines the presence of multiple tender points at characteristic locations.



It is estimated that it takes an average of five years for an FM patient to get an accurate diagnosis. Many doctors are still not adequately informed or educated about FM. Laboratory tests often prove negative and many FM symptoms overlap with those of other conditions, thus leading to extensive investigative costs and frustration for both the doctor and patient. Another essential point that must be considered is that the presence of other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, does not rule out an FM diagnosis. Fibromyalgia is not a diagnosis of exclusion and must be diagnosed by its own characteristic features.



To receive a diagnosis of FM, the patient must meet the following diagnostic criteria:

* Widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months
* Tenderness or pain in at least 11 of the 18 specified tender points when pressure is applied

Treatment



One of the most important factors in improving the symptoms of FM is for the patient to recognize the need for lifestyle adaptation. Most people are resistant to change because it implies adjustment, discomfort and effort. However, in the case of FM, change can bring about recognizable improvement in function and quality of life. Becoming educated about FM gives the patient more potential for improvement.



An empathetic physician who is knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of FM and who will listen to and work with the patient is an important component of treatment. It may be a family practitioner, an internist, or a specialist (rheumatologist or neurologist, for example). Conventional medical intervention may be only part of a potential treatment program. Alternative treatments, nutrition, relaxation techniques, and exercise play an important role in FM treatment as well. Each patient should, with the input of a healthcare practitioner, establish a multifaceted and individualized approach that works for them.

* Pain management
A number of pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia are available for prescription. The first to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia was pregabalin (Lyrica®); the second was duloxetine (Cymbalta®); and the third was milnacipran (Savella®). Other FM medications are currently in development, and may soon receive FDA approval to treat fibromyalgia. Additionally, healthcare providers may treat patients' FM symptoms with non-narcotic pain relievers (e.g. tramadol) or low doses of antidepressants (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or benzodiazepines. Patients must remember that antidepressants are "serotonin builders" and can be prescribed at low levels to help improve sleep and relieve pain. If the patient is experiencing depression, higher levels of these or other medications may need to be prescribed. Lidocaine injections into the patient's tender points also work well on localized areas of pain. An important aspect of pain management is a regular program of gentle exercise and stretching, which helps maintain muscle tone and reduces pain and stiffness.
* Sleep management
Improved sleep can be obtained by implementing a healthy sleep regimen. This includes going to bed and getting up at the same time every day; making sure that the sleeping environment is conducive to sleep (i.e. quiet, free from distractions, a comfortable room temperature, a supportive bed); avoiding caffeine, sugar, and alcohol before bed; doing some type of light exercise during the day; avoiding eating immediately before bedtime; and practicing relaxation exercises as you fall to sleep. When necessary, there are new sleep medications that can be prescribed, some of which can be especially helpful if the patient's sleep is disturbed by restless legs or periodic limb movement disorder.
* Psychological support
Learning to live with a chronic illness often challenges an individual emotionally. The FM patient needs to develop a program that provides emotional support and increases communication with family and friends. Many communities throughout the United States and abroad have organized fibromyalgia support groups. These groups often provide important information and have guest speakers who discuss subjects of particular interest to the FM patient. Counseling sessions with a trained professional may help improve communication and understanding about the illness and help to build healthier relationships within the patient's family.
* Other treatments
Complementary therapies can be very beneficial. These include: physical therapy, therapeutic massage, myofascial release therapy, water therapy, light aerobics, acupressure, application of heat or cold, acupuncture, yoga, relaxation exercises, breathing techniques, aromatherapy, cognitive therapy, biofeedback, herbs, nutritional supplements, and osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation.
Prognosis



While there is currently no cure for fibromyalgia, better ways to diagnose and treat the chronic pain disorder continue to be developed. Since June 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved three medications for the treatment of fibromyalgia and other FM medications are currently in development. Research efforts have expanded as well. In 1990 there were approximately 200 published research papers on fibromyalgia studies. Today there are more than 4,000 published reports.



While many strides have been made in the last decade, fibromyalgia remains a challenging condition. However, clinical studies have demonstrated that fibromyalgia patients can reduce their symptoms through a variety of treatment options. Working in conjunction with knowledgeable healthcare professions, motivated and informed patients can experience significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life. Developing an individualize self-management plan, from identifying effective treatments approaches to making necessary lifestyle changes, will further improve one’s health.

Sunday, February 13, 2011




For all the things you do I give you flowers to say I love you !





Words alone can not tell you how much I care !



My life is nothing with out you my husband and I'm so gald to share every day with you good or bad ,Happy Valentines day sweetie

Saturday, February 12, 2011


This last week has been a big challenge for my family,my mother in-law had a heart attack .She is doing better,thank God ! But it really made me think ,woman never take care of themselves, we always put others ahead and we are last on the list,or like me not on the list at all . We are all guilty of this ! Come on ladies we need to get informed and take better care of ourselves,we can't care for our loved ones if we are making ourselves sick and unhealthy .We have all preached to our children how important it is to take good care of our bodies,eat the right things and exercise and take care of our health.Then here we are last on that list or not at all . I wanted to post some helpful things for us to know what to look for in this kind of situation ,because my Mother in-law had know clue what was wrong, if she was alone she might not be here now thank God for the friends she had with her and they knew the signs of a Heart attack,and got her the help she needed . Lets be aware ladies and lets take better care of ourselves,any day we wake up and feel good is a GREAT day .Live longer to Love longer, God Bless ! :0)

A Woman's Heart: Symptoms of Heart Attack


Every year hundreds of thousands of women die as the result of a heart attack or other cardiovascular disease. What many people, including many healthcare professionals, don't realize is that the symptoms of heart attack in women are often different than in men. Women are more likely to experience nausea, dizziness, and anxiety as symptoms that indicate a heart attack.

* Chest pain-may also include back pain and/or deep aching and throbbing in one or both arms.

* Breathlessness and/or inability to catch your breath when waking up.

* Clammy sweating.

* Dizziness--unexplained lightheadedness, possible blackouts.

* Anxiety--unusual nervousness, feelings of impending doom.

* Edema--fluid retention and swelling usually of the ankles or lower legs.

* Fluttering--rapid heartbeats, palpitations.

* Nausea--gastric upset.

* Feeling of heaviness, such as pressure-like chest pain between the breasts that may radiate to the left arm or shoulder.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in women and it is the most preventable cause of death. Women should pay particular attention to these symptoms and seek immediate advice from a healthcare professional if these symptoms occur.

The following tips can help lower your risk of heart disease:

* Maintain a regular schedule of aerobic exercise

Eat heart-healthy meals, and if you are overweight, lose weight

* Drink in moderation--if at all

* If you smoke--quit!

Saturday, February 5, 2011


Another cold and snowy weekend heading our way. I like everyone else is soooo done with Winter maybe if I post it it will come SPRING !!! I don't think that is a bad request ..lol do you ,come on we are thinking the same thing !!

See now doesn't this make us all feel better ... AHHH the colors of Spring I can feel the warmth .

It just makes you want to take off your shoes and run through the flowers doesn't it heehee ! Well if we can't have it now we can at least enjoy the photos !!
I do think I will get some new shoes for the occasion though what do you think of these ??

You gotta love them !! :)
Hope you all have a great weekend ,and enjoy my new pieces !

Jasper

Jasper
N#105 - 28" Fancy Jasper with natural wooden beads and silvertone findings with magnetic clasp $25.00 plus shipping

Fancy !

Fancy !
N#100- 26" Fancy Jasper with bold silvertone chain with a magnetic clasp $16.00 plus shipping

Just magic with a needle !

Jade

Jade
N#94- 26" Green Jade with cube wooden beads with yellow Aventurine accents beads claw clasp 18.00 plus shipping

Red and White !

Red and White !
N#92- 24"Braided Red and White seed bead 14.00 plus shipping

Red White and MOO !!

Red White and MOO !!


SHHH ... I hear something .

nature at it's best!

nature at it's best!
I could stay here forever! AHHHH!

Zebra!

Zebra!
B-98. 8" Zebra Green $10.00 + shipping

lovely lavender

lovely lavender
R-60. 24 1/2 " Lavender Swarovski rosary. $30.00 +shipping

BubbleGum

BubbleGum
Pink Bubble Gum set N/E-set 57 $30.00 + S.H.

Vintage Pink !

Vintage Pink !
25" Vintage Pink Lampworks glass with Lavender pearls N-123 $20.00 +Shipping

Swarovski !

Swarovski !
71/2 " Swarovski crystals with silver accent beads B-105 $20.00 +shipping

Swarovski Crystals

Swarovski Crystals
R-62 rosary $30.00 plus shipping

Proud American !

relive the 70's

relive the 70's
40" orange vintage beads N-127 $16.00 + shipping

New pieces !

New pieces !
N-79 19" Jet with Black Foil heart $25.00 plus shipping .

New pieces !

New pieces !
This can be found in Inlet N.Y. at Jack Graco's furniture N-45/ 25" Frosted double chain with purple swirl stones magnetic clasp $ 25.00 plus shipping

Vintage beads

Vintage beads
21" Blue Marble with crystals N-88 $14.00 +Shipping

New pieces !

New pieces !
1 1/2" Crackle glass on shepard hooks with backs product # E-135 $10.00 + S.H.

New pieces !

New pieces !
N/S- 65 Black and white Hearts Set ! $25.00 plus shipping

New pieces !

New pieces !
N-71 25" Pink swirl glass stones with hammered hoops $18.00 plus shipping

New pieces !

New pieces !
B-64 Ruby with fresh water pearls 8" $8.00 plus shipping

Blues... to cheer you up !

Blues... to cheer you up !
B-61 7 1/2 " Swarovski Crystals with Blue glass cubes with toggle clasp $14.00 plus shipping

8" Pink glass with claw clasp product #65 $ 10.00 + S.H.

New pieces !

New pieces !
R-9 23" Swarovski Blue cyrstals with silvertone stardust our father beads a color Mary with stars and arrow crucifix $30.00 plus shipping

Bold and Beautiful !

Bold and Beautiful !
N-49 This set adds beauty too any outfit ! 20 1/2 " necklace with matching 2" earring $35.00 plus shipping (will sell seperate)e-mail for price

22 1/2" Green w/yellow swirl $20.00 order # N-50

Fancy Black

Fancy Black
N-28- 19" fancy black glass beads on a silvertone chian with a magnetic clasp $20.00 plus shipping

Watch out for Magic !

Watch out for Magic !
N-25 This 23" long necklace is made up of Dragons Vain beads and silver tone chain with a vintage Key pendant ,it has a claw clasp $20.00 plus shipping

Dainty and dressy

Dainty and dressy
N-29- 36" fancy chain with Italian Opalite with a claw clasp $20.00 + shipping

New !

New !
R-29 Tanzanian Granet mini $12.00 plus shipping

new piece !

new piece !
E-134-these 2 1/2" Craved Adventurine with aussie jade on silvertone shepard hooks with back. This piece is located in Inlet N.Y. at Jack Graco's furniture ,$14.00 plus shipping

Black is beautiful !

Black is beautiful !
8" Diamond cut black glass with silver tone stardust beads and clear glass seed beads with a toggle clasp B-57 $16.00 +shipping

Green Carved Adventurine

Green Carved Adventurine
N-167- 24"Silver seedbeads with carved pendant $25.00 plus shipping

Seed Beads!

Seed Beads!
N#3-34" Blue and pink crackle beads with clear seed beads with a magnetic clasp 10.00 plus shipping

Think Spring !!

Think Spring !!
N#145-33" Spring Green $16.00 plus shipping

Opals

Opals
N#91-25" Yellow opals with green teardrops on silvertone fancy chain with claw clasp $16.00 plus shipping

Peaches !

Peaches !
N#142-32" Peach ceramic with gold filgree caps and white and gold seed beads $28.00 plus shipping

E#122-21/2" Green glass with green adventurine seeds 8.00 includes S.H.

Tiger Eye

Tiger Eye
B# 40-7" Tigereye with rose quartz $8.00 plus shipping

Amber and Metal

Amber and Metal
N#117 22" Black metal beads with Amber and fancy two tone metal ,with claw clasp $18.00 plus shipping

Adventurine

Adventurine
N-97 ,22 1/2" Silvertone Hoops with Peach Adventurine $18.00 plus shipping

Bold and Gold !

Bold and Gold !
N# 120-30" Black wood beads capped with bronze on gold tone chain with claw clasp $16.00 plus shipping

Girl Scouts !

Girl Scouts !
Help support our girls! Please buy some cookies !

E#121-21/2" Rose mix 8.00 includes S.H.


Come on ,give us a KISS!!

Lampworks

Lampworks
E#96- 1 1/2 "Rose lampwork beads with Hematite 8.00 + shipping

E#95- 1 1/2" Rose lampwork on shepard hooks with backs 8.00 includes S.H.

Little Sweetie !

E#86- 2" White glass with Zebra ! on shepard hook with backs 10.00 includes S.H.

B#34- 7 1/2" Dark with natural wooden beads 8.00 includes S.H.

B#33- 8" Dark wooden beads 8.00 includes S.H.

E#92- 3" Green glass beads with silverplated beads shepard hooks with backs 10.00 includes S.H.

Light and dark

Light and dark
E#87- 2 1/2" Black -n- White shepard hooks with backs 8.00 + shipping

what more is there to say

Deep Blue !

Deep Blue !
N132 -20" Blue Braided seed bead with magnitic clasp 14.00 + shipping

Jasper

Jasper
E#73- 2 1/4" Jasper with Handpainted wooden beads 10.00 + shipping

Look who missed the picnic !

E#70- 1 1/2"Clear crackle and blue glass 5.00 SOLD !!

Purple lamps

Purple lamps
E#69- 2" Fancy Purple flower lampworks 10.00 + shipping


E#56- 2 1/2" Green Jade with wood shepard hooks with backs10.00 includes S.H.

Fun Green

Fun Green
N#108- 28" Twotone green crackle beads with heart toggle $14.00 + shipping

E#67- 1 1/2" Utah Snowflake 8.00 includes S.H.

B#26- Childs stretch pink and white shell 8.00 includes S.H.


E#66- 2 1/2" Peach Shell 8.00 includes S.H.

E#71-1 1/2" Silvertone hoops with black and white marbled jasper 8.00 includes S.H.

Marvelous Marble

Marvelous Marble
N#114- 22" Black and white marbled jasper with garnet $25.00 + shipping

Sunny Yellow !

Sunny Yellow !
N#112- 28" Mexican Citrine $25.00 + shipping

Fresh water pearls

Fresh water pearls
N#85- 20" Black and Gold fresh water beads $16.00 + shipping

Hand Painted

Hand Painted
B#19- 9" hand painted wooden beads with Tigereye glass beads 12.00+sh

E#20- 2 1/2" Green swril glass stones with gold soild filigree 10.00+sh

E#4- 2 1/2" Filigrees with silvertone chain 5.00+sh

N#53- What a lovely! 24" Australian Jade with silver filigree beads 18.00+sh

Painted Wood

Painted Wood
E#21- 2" Hand Painted wooden Beads $8.00 + shipping

N#68- 26" Australian Yellow Jade 12.00+sh

B#20- 8" Australian Honey Jade Ovals 10.00+sh

Russian Jasper

Russian Jasper
E#25- 4" Silvertone links with Russian Picasso Jasper $10.00 + shipping

N#15- 22" Blue shell with bluemarbled glass beads $15.00+sh

Salmon River Falls


N#37- 24"Tigereye Nugget with Tigereye glass beads $20.00+sh

Home Made in the USA !!

E#34- 2 1/2 " blue crackle with opalite 8.00 includes S.H.

N#73- 36 1/2"Afghanistan Lapis 15.00+sh

Wooden wheel mix

Wooden wheel mix
N#83- 28"wooden beads 14.00 + shipping