| |
Below, you'll
find extensive information on leading Fibromyalgia symptoms articles and products
to help you on your way recovery.
The Role of Oxygen in Fibromyalgia
By Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.
While the cause of is not agreed upon in the medical community, belief that it derives from an oxygen metabolism dysfunction is mounting. The various proposed hypotheses about fibromyalgia’s origin are varied, ranging from an infectious viral agent to a sleep disorder to an emotional disturbance. From an atomic perspective, the smallest building blocks of life, all of the proposed theories behind genesis can be understood. A system that isn’t metabolizing oxygen (the basis of life) properly, can manifest as through each of the proposed causes.
Humans metabolize oxygen from air, food and water to create energy and fuel all body processes. According to some experts, impaired oxygen metabolism is the molecular basis of fibromyalgia’s primary symptoms (muscular pain, fatigue and concentration difficulties). Specifically, oxygen poorly metabolized causes fatigue and pain in muscles, memory disruption in the brain and impaired function of all of our body’s cells.
One aspect of this metabolic dysfunction occurs from oxidation’s creation of unstable molecules, also called free radicals. Oxidation is the loss of electrons occurring when oxygen breaks down a substance excessively. A natural process, oxidation is witnessed in our environment when iron rusts and fruit rots. In the human body, the damage incurred from free radicals contributes to aging and the development and perpetuation of chronic disease. Thus, preventing oxidative stress can significantly reduce fibromyalgia’s symptoms.
As published in Rheumatology International, researchers from Turkey studied 85 women with and compared them to 80 healthy women, matched for age, weight and height. Each woman’s cellular damage by free radicals was evaluated. The results demonstrated that the women with had significantly higher levels of cellular oxidation, compared to the controls.
Antioxidants can prevent cellular oxidation by scavenging (destroying) the unstable molecules before they wreck havoc. Though seemingly simple, incorporating antioxidants from the food supply or with nutritional supplementation can stop and prevent further cellular damage. Protecting the integrity of muscle and brain cells can end the cycle of pain, fatigue and impaired concentration. Clinicians everywhere are recognizing this connection, and are prescribing various forms of antioxidant therapy to their clients with fibromyalgia.
Another aspect of oxygen metabolism dysfunction is a lack of available oxygen. Steps can be taken to increase oxygen’s availability for proper body functioning, although the reason behind its deficiency is currently unknown. An undisputed fact about is the spectrum of breathing difficulties seen in people with this syndrome. Whether insufficiently drawing in breath or experiencing “oxygen hunger,” many individuals with
fibromyalgia can’t seem to get enough air. Often physicians will
recommend avoidance of high-altitude locations to patients with fibromyalgia, due to the decreased availability of oxygen in these locations.
Decreased or inhibited blood flow means less oxygen can be delivered to the muscles, causing muscular fatigue and subsequent pain and stiffness. Occurring both in the skin above tender points and in the extremities, sensations of cold go hand-in-hand with a diagnosis. It is no surprise that people with typically have a general intolerance to cold temperatures. A decrease in local surface temperature can be the direct result of an absence of oxygen in the body’s blood supply.
Recent studies have confirmed that aerobic exercise benefits individuals with fibromyalgia. The connection between oxygen metabolic dysfunction and exercise is the increase of available oxygen in the body created with physical exertion. A study published in Arthritis and Rheumatology demonstrated that individuals with improved their health-quality of life and strengthened their lower extremities following exercise in waist-high warm water. This specific type of physical activity is ideal for oxygen deficiency, because the activity increases muscular blood flow endogenously, while the warm temperature invigorates blood flow exogenously.
While remains a complex, somewhat mysterious disorder, seeing the problem on the most essential of levels can shed light onto future treatments. Most of us take for granted the way in which our body metabolizes oxygen. However, evidence and logic suggest this very process we take for granted may be at fault in syndrome. The good news is that something can be done about it, without medications or surgery. Preventing free radical oxidation can be accomplished by including a wide range of antioxidants in one’s diet. Increasing blood flow, and thus oxygen to all parts of the body occur with aerobic exercise and warm water immersion.
While these ideas may not be new, now everyone understands why they are so effective at reducing fibromyalgia’s symptoms.
References:
Ali, M, Ali O., Fibromyalgia: An oxidative-dysoxygenative disorder (ODD), J Integrative Medicine, 1999; 3:17-37.
Bagis S, Tamer L, Sahin G, Bilgin R, Guler H, Ercan B, Erdogan C., Free radicals and antioxidants in primary fibromyalgia: an oxidative stress disorder?, Rheumatol Int, Dec 20, 2003.
Gusi N, Tomas-Carus P, Hakkinen A, Hakkinen K, Ortega-Alonso A., Warm Water Exercise Decreases Pain, Strengthens FM Patients in Study, Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Feb;55(1):66-73.
Lund, N., Bengtsson A, Thorborg P., Muscle tissue oxygen pressure in primary fibromyalgia, Scand J Rheumatol. 1986; 15(2): 165-73.
www.majidali.com, Ali, M. Seven Aspects of Oxygen and Oxidation.
This article was prepared for FibroManage.com. Visit us to learn more about fibromyalgia, its symptoms and self help options
|
|
