Tag Archives: anxiety

Fibromyalgia Phantom Pain Diagnosis and Treatment

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An unexplained pain disorder is commonly labeled as fibromyalgia. The worse thing about unexplained physical pain is the depression that comes with it and not knowing the cause of it and how to effectively alleviate, or remove the pain. In many fibromyalgia cases, mental health prescription drugs are often the treatment course.

Fibromyalgia is not considered a mental illness disorder… however, it is considered a real disorder once medically substantiated through examination and lab protocol diagnosis. It has been medically determined a depressed and anxious mindset and lack of sleep can cause an autoimmune response leading to inflammatory pain-causing symptoms throughout the body. It has long been a practice for medical professionals to prescribe anti-depressants and sleep aid medications useful in treating acute and chronic phantom pain.

Many who suffer from “medically unsubstantiated and undiagnosed pain cause” are three times more likely to suffer from depression and/or anxiety. In the absence of pain causing illness and disease and physical injury, the central nervous system(s) neuro and hormonal chemicals are often found out-of- balance. Body chemical imbalances are found to trigger an inflammatory autoimmune response in many patients. This chemical imbalance and inflammatory response have a direct connection to mood and bodily pain.

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The populace who tends to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia is women between the ages of 35-55. This condition rarely takes a toll on men, the elderly, or children, although it does occur. Women with fibromyalgia in the U.S. represent over 80% of those diagnosed with this condition. The total populace affected by fibromyalgia in the US represents 2% of our population. Fibromyalgia was formally known as fibrositis (a group of disorders characterized by widespread body aches and pains in muscle, connective tissue, joints and bone). Other triggers that can activate the fibromyalgia condition include exposure to dampness, or cold and certain infections. Pain is usually worse in the morning.

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Understanding Fibromyalgia Basics: Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain and stiffness in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Although an exact cause of this condition has not been directly identified, it is thought that a major player to this chronic condition resides within the brains serotonin levels which affects mood. Lower levels of serotonin are known to stimulate depression and with depression psychosomatic illness often occurs. If anyone becomes depressed for a long period of time, the body gets sick and real physical pain is experienced. There seems to be a direct correlation between depression, lack of sleep, restlessness, disturbances in bowel function and super sensitivity with touch, whereas key trigger pain receptors are transmitted via the neurochemical highways from the central nervous system (brain). Fatigue combined with depression can trigger autoimmune infection, and related disease and pain anywhere in the body.

When mental and physical pain episodes go undiagnosed too long and without intervention, unhealthy habits and behavior often ensue, i.e., self-medication, sedentary and addictive drinking habits, etc. Unhealthy lifestyle untreated for long duration will lead to more psychosomatic neuro and hormonal chemical imbalances and pain and illness which can lead to other disease manifestation and cancer.

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If you have unexplainable acute/chronic phantom pain in any muscle, joint, tendons and ligaments, seek a medical opinion and request referral to a physiatrist as soon as possible before symptoms worsen.

Recall, “Fibromyalgia is considered a real disorder once medically substantiated.” However, it remains a challenge for many physicians to diagnose an exact cause of pain and treat effectively in some cases. Why? Unlike rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus there is no swelling, external-internal tissue damage, or joint-muscle deformity. The patient is healthy otherwise but suffers from chronic muscular pain and stiffness without swelling, deformity or bruising.

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When diagnosing fibromyalgia, the most common symptoms doctors look for: headaches, tender point pain, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue etc. Psychological symptoms: depression, sleep disturbances and mood changes. Referred lab findings may medically substantiate the disorder via Elevated levels of Substance P (Chemical Nerve Signal) and Nerve Growth Factor (Found in the spinal fluid) and lower levels of serotonin (Brain Nerve Chemical) from laboratory specimen fluid samples.

“The level of chemical in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) called substance P, which transmits pain impulses to the brain, is three times higher in people with the disease than in those who do not have the condition. This likely causes someone with fibromyalgia to experience pain more intensely” [emedicinehealth WebMD 2021]

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If you experience phantom pain and have not been diagnosed with a substantiated fibromyalgia disorder, read the tips and recommendations below and seek a medical opinion and diagnosis to get the help you need and deserve now.

10 Fibromyalgia Tips and Recommendations
1. See your doctor if you experience any combination of the symptoms listed above, or (a.) Experience chronic body pain for more than 3 months above and below the waist. (b.) Feel pain in at least 11-18 possible tender points when light pressure is applied. (c.) Experiencing depression and thoughts of suicide and/or high levels of anxiety.
2. Get help if a family member exhibits: Panic attacks, hostility, restlessness, hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and physical pain.
3. If prescribed anti-depressants, a family member should watch for adverse character changes that lead to self-medication and unhealthy lifestyle habits to control pain. A two- month watch is recommended when prescribed anti-depressants to combat fibromyalgia.
4. Adverse behavioral risk is more prominent within adults under 24 and children.

5. Apply hot showers-spray localized area, use heating pads, whirlpool, hot compresses, gentle message to alleviate phantom pain.
6. Stretching and relaxation will alleviate stress, and biofeedback (doctor advisement on this one) will help ease contracted muscles causing pain.
7. The following prescription may be provided to ease pain. Aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Cortisone and local anesthetic injections at pain trigger points.
8. Antidepressants per doctor recommendations, e.g., Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI).
9. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these interfere with sleep.
10. Get adequate sleep and general conditioning and exercise, proper nutrition.

Author: Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET. 2009-21 Copyright. All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.org,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.

Defeat Anxiety and Panic Attacks

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Calm the Mind, Body and Spirit, Explore the World.

Last Updated: 15 April 2014

First of all, what is a panic attack?  A panic attack is the feeling that often mimics the symptoms of a heart attack or a nervous breakdown.  Panic attracts happen abruptly and disappears very quickly. These episodes can typically reach a peak of 10 minutes and generally end after half an hour.    First time suffers often call for emergency services.  For those that have experienced a panic attack, it is a very frightening experience to say the least.  Anxiety disorders are an abnormal and pathological fear which many patients are treated by counseling, psychiatric diagnosis and prescription drugs.  There are eight general anxiety disorders, panic attacks are one of them.

In many cases anxiety treatment can be handled through cognitive and behavioral specialist sessions and/or self treatment without the use of drugs.  By identifying the anxiety stimulus with related disorder symptoms a treatment plan can be applied to alleviate, or remove the cause of your anxiety.   It is first recommended you identify your type of symptoms and anxiety disorder through the help of an anxiety specialist if you experience acute to chronic ill-health physical or mental anxiety anguish.

Listed below are the 8 general anxiety disorders

1) General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) – This disorder typically affects adults and can occur daily without fixation on one thing.  Anxiety is random and specific cause is not very apparent or apparent at all.

2) Panic Disorder (panic attack) is brought upon by intense terror and apprehension.  Symptoms:  Trembling, shaking, confusion, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, etc.

3)  Agoraphobia – This is an anxiety attack brought upon by a fearful stimulus or situation of open space with nowhere to hide, e.g, airport, malls, outdoors and is associated with panic attack symptoms.   Approximately 3.2 million adults in the US between the ages of 18-54 suffer from this disorder.

4)  Social anxiety disorder – This fear is associated with feelings of embarrassment, blushing, sweating through social encounter and public speaking.

5)  OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder) – Repetitive obsessions that drive one to perform specific acts or rituals.   For example, rituals to remove feelings of impeding harm, or infection to the individual, i.e., constant washing of hands for fear of catching germs, or walking in certain patterns the same way every day to get from point a to b.

6)  PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) – PTSD disorder is the result of a traumatic experience.  For example a soldier returning back from war, rape, or one that was in a bad car accident.  For these individuals flashbacks, anger and avoidant behaviors, anxiety and depression are common.

7) Separation anxiety –This is when an individual is separated from a place or person which results in anxiety symptoms.  Child hood cases tend to be more severe than in adults.

8) Childhood Anxiety Disorder – Many children as well as adults feel anxious, worried and fearful with new experiences.  Children’s decision-making ability and perceptions, learning and concentration suffer.   Symptoms include: Attention deficit, eating, sleeping and depression disorders.  Children with parents who suffer similar anxiety reactions to stress most likely will carry this trait.

Common Symptoms, Those that Suffer from Anxiety disorders

Common symptoms include: Eating and sleeping disorders, depression, anger, isolation and fear.  Physical symptoms:  Irregular heart rate, trembling, shaking, inadequate breathing or hyperventilation, chest pain; a feeling of going crazy, or losing control, feeling like you’re going to pass out, stomach pain, nausea, feeling hot or cold, etc.   If you have frequent bouts of any of these types of symptoms you may suffer from an anxiety disorder.  If you suffer from these symptoms and are creating more anxiety see your primary care physician for referral to an anxiety specialist.  Any time one feels out of sorts, overly anxious, or a feeling of “loss of control” it is prudent to seek medical guidance from your primary care physician.

How to alleviate your levels of anxiety,

1.  Identify and remove yourself from fearful, stressful, uncomfortable situations where physical or emotional symptoms of discomfort are felt.

2.  Do you have emotional support to discuss stressful or anxious situations?  Emotional support whether a good friend or professional is important in helping to identify what brings on the feelings of anxiety.  Also, to have someone you can confide in provides a level of comfort that will reduce anxiety and help target, or identify potential situations, behavior, or habit that may be creating the anxiety.

3.  Are you able to plan for vacations, take off days to relax, work a hobby, read a good book or exercise?  Finding quite time to relax, meditate, or participate in self interest activities that provides the necessary time to unwind provides peace of mind.  This quality time allows one to reflect in a positive environment to focus; process and reflect on what’s important in life.  And when this time is made available, many times generates solutions to alleviate anxiety conditions in a way that does not occur otherwise.

4.  Do you have help when you feel over loaded with too much work?  If not, you must make time to discuss work overload and the worry associated and leading to daily anxiety.  If work overload issues are creating a situation that is unhealthy it is necessary to discuss these issues with your supervisor, manager, significant other, therapist or HR representative.  If you don’t, your health will most likely take a turn for the worst, which is not good for you, your family, or employer.

5.  If you do not take care of your body it can impact brain function.  And when this occurs, for many the psychosomatic (mind/body: body/mind) relationship can experience anxiety symptomatic of panic attacks. If mood is depressed due to extended physically stressful environment for example; depression can become chronic.  And with chronic depression, the mind also connects the body (biologically) to become depressed and anxious simultaneously.  Continued on this path for too long and untreated is a pathological gateway to other forms of illness and disease.

6.   Habits/behaviors – It should also be noted if you consume alcohol, caffeine, smoke cigarettes, use certain types of drugs:  Over-the-counter medications, prescriptions or recreational drugs may contribute and compound your anxiety and depression disorder(s) and weight gain.  Also negative behavioral social patterns  coupled with bad habits place many in unhealthy and uncomfortable environments where fear, guilt and social confrontations is part of the anxiety mix.  These types of experiences can cause and contribute to more anxiety as opposed to alleviating the anxiety.  Talk with your doctor about use of any of these vices, or current prescriptions to see if one, or in combination with something else you consume may be a contributing trigger mechanism to your anxiety.

7.  If your levels of fear and distress are severe see your doctor.  Your doctor may then provide further treatment using a combination of consulting, prescription drugs with further follow up by a therapist that is specialized in anxiety disorders to devise a course of treatment.  Or a treatment program that does not use drugs, or partial use of drug intervention.

 Specialized Types of Anxiety Treatment

 Cognitive-behavioral therapy – This therapy focuses on thought, or cognitions in addition to behaviors.  Both therapies are effective anxiety treatments.  Behavioral change is the focus as opposed to psychological issues from the past.  Takes between 5-20 sessions.

Exposure therapy – You confront your fears in a safe, controlled environment.  As you face your fear without being harmed your anxiety gradually dissipates.

 Exercise at least 30 minutes a day five times a week for anxiety relief.  Aerobic activity is the best form of exercise to reduce stress and is also good for your heart and weight loss goals.  Walking at a brisk pace is the best low intensity-impact aerobics activity for physical and mental stress anxiety alleviation.  Walking in general is good for your overall fit-healthy goals to include weight loss, better sleep at night and anxiety and stress relief.

Hypnosis – While you’re in a state of deep relaxation cognitive-behavioral therapy is also a part of the treatment.  During the session the therapist helps you face your fears.  Facing fears in new and different ways proves to alleviate anxiety problems for many patients in a deep relaxed state of mind-body.

Relaxation techniques teach one to relax muscles and mental faculties while focusing positive energy to all parts of the mind-body.  This is possible because of progressive mindful relaxation controlled breathing and visualization exercises/techniques.  These sessions provide a feeling of relaxed emotional well-being.

Biofeedback teaches the conscious mind to recognize the bodies anxiety response through sensors that monitor heart rate, breathing and muscle tension.  These sensory impulse readings then teach awareness of biofeedback casual relationships affecting the anxious mind-body.  This then teaches one to control internal biofeedback to produce a calming effect which equates to reduced internal body anxiety.

Eat healthy by learning about quality nutritious foods (better known as Super Foods).  Understand that a healthy mind-body is dependent on the nutrients you consume.  Healthy food choices equate to less stress and anxiety and healthier mind and fit body.  Foods high in super food nutrients provide us with a calming whole body effect.

How to Find an Anxiety Therapist

  1.  Call the national alliance on Mental Illness at 1-800-950-6264.
  2.  Ask a doctor or nurse for anxiety disorder referrals.
  3.  Search on-line under specific type of anxiety disorder listed above, or general anxiety websites for your particular condition.
  4.  Check your local library and research books listed under anxiety for check out.
  5.  Contact your local university psychology department for local support, group programs, university funded programs, etc.

Self -Help and Other Treatment Support Recommendations

 If you are living a stressful lifestyle that creates anxiety, you must find innovative ways to make time for yourself, or remove yourself from anxious events, or situations.  Much stress and worry can lead to anxiety symptoms with feelings associated of panic attacks.  If certain persons, places or things cause you to worry, create undue stress and unbearable anxiety and depression, you must find ways to change your environmental situation.

The most natural way to self treat for anxiety is to identify the cause of feeling bad, then remove the cause/situation(s) that are creating the stressful anxiety response.  I know, easier said than done.  If you can not resolve this on your own, you must seek professional treatment.  If there are certain habits, or behaviors causing anxiety, stress and depression you can learn to control the environmental causes that now put your good health at risk.

Through this understanding anyone can learn to modify, or remove internal and external stress triggers by learning what causes them.  Then remove those triggers from your lifestyle.

Summary

It appears individuals can learn to change habits and behaviors through a natural process of removing an identified anxiety-stress stimulus.  Once the anxiety or stress trigger mechanism has been removed; anxiety and depression symptoms may be alleviated for many and go away never to return.

The mind is a powerful self-healing agent.  If you have strong desire, faith and the tools necessary to change your stress-anxiety situation you can become more fit-healthy.   But you have to be willing to get treatment once you recognize you can’t resolve your anxiety, stress and panic attacks on your own.

To do any less would be to live in unnecessary pain that need not be!

On-Line Referenced Links:

  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety_disorder
  • http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm
  • http://www.curemyanxiety.com/Curing-Anxiety-Without-Medication.htm
  • http://www.godscureforanxiety.com/
  • http://www.mindpub.com/art270.htm

Author:  Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2010 Copyright, All rights reserved.  Mirror Athlete Enterprises Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.org, Sign up for your free eNewsletter.

Recognize and Treat Bipolar Symptoms

FacebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmailBipolar Disorder affects approximately 6 million people in the United States. Those diagnosed with this disorder experience “extreme” highs and lows.  A bipolar high is characterized and may include the following signs and symptoms:  Extreme optimism, euphoria, spending sprees, inflated self-esteem, aggressive behavior, poor sleep patterns, easily distracted, poor concentration, drug abuse, risky behavior, agitation, racing thoughts, rapid speech, increased sexual drive.  While the lows may/may not be characterized by the following symptoms:   Guilt, sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, appetite problems, suicidal thoughts or behavior, sleep problems, irritability, sleep problems, lose interests in daily activities, chronic pain without known cause.  The following terminology with this diagnosis may be used, such as, “manic-depressive psychosis,” characterized by excessive happiness and/or melancholic feelings of dejection or deep depression (melancholy).  Bipolar episodes become more frequent with age and can display both mania and depression simultaneously in what is called “mixed state.”  The term psychosis means complete or partial withdrawal from reality with, or without organic damage to the brain.

There are varying degrees, or types of Bipolar Disorders.  Studies show that the characteristic disorders become more prominent and frequent between the ages of 25-40.  Children and teens with the disorder are usually explained away as infrequent characteristics of growing pains, or maturity issues.  Left untreated the disorder benefactor can create much disruption of family, finances, job loss, marital problems, inability to function in society; also leading many victims to suicide.  Those that tend to self treat do so with alcohol and other drugs where addiction complicates matters.  The primary prescription for Bipolar disorder is through pharmacological intervention medications.  Mania and depression is primarily treated through Lithium (common mood stabilizer).  If Lithium is rejected then anticonvulsants are used.   Episodes of mania or manic behavior are also treated with antipsychotics or Benzodiazepines, thereafter mood stabilizers are used.  Other common medications: Xanax, Valium, Ativan and Klonopin.

Recommendations,

If you are 21 to 65 years of age and suffer from Bipolar disorder visit Allsup www.allsup.com for a free evaluation and disability info, or call 800-279-4357.  Also visit www.psychcentral.com, or call 978-992-0008 for more disability and mental health information. I’m not an advocate for either site; I simply have identified two key resources that will steer you in the right direction for help.  These sites offer information on how to obtain Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Long-Term Disability (LTD), Medicare benefits and so much more.  They’ve helped thousands of people with bipolar disorders to get back on their feet to include income while working towards independent living.

Issue:“Testicular Cancer”  Author:  Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2009 Copyright.  All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.org,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.