Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Fibromyalgia For Dummies or RAWvolution

Fibromyalgia For Dummies

Author: Christine Adamec

The pain you suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is not in your imagination. FMS is a real medical problem that can be as debilitating and demoralizing as it is mysterious. Fibromyalgia For Dummies, Second Edition, brings you the latest scientific findings on the symptoms and causes of this disease and guides you toward proven, practical steps you can take reduce or eliminate FMS-related pain.

This plain-English guide is fully updated with the latest fibromyalgia treatment options, and evaluations of new medications that have shown great promise in reducing pain. You'll discover how to spot an array of symptoms and their possible causes, work with your physician to develop a treatment plan, and manage your pain at home and in the office. You'll learn how to:



• Identify your FMS trigger points

• Cope with chronic pain and sleep problems

• Find medications that work for you

• Locate a physician who can really help you

• Make healing lifestyle changes

• Use hands-on therapies to alleviate pain

• Find effective over-the-counter and prescription medications

• Choose among alternative therapies and treatments

• Reduce the emotional distress caused by FMS

• Help a child with FMS



Featuring moving and inspiring stories from fellow FMS sufferers who share their stories and offer invaluable tips on working your way back to wellness, Fibromyalgia for Dummies, Second Edition offers serious and sensitive guidance to help you overcome FMS and start being yourself again.



Table of Contents:
Introduction1
About This Book2
Conventions Used in This Book2
Foolish Assumptions3
How This Book Is Organized3
Icons Used in This Book5
Where to Go from Here6
Part IFibromyalgia Is the Real Deal: What It Is and Is Not7
Chapter 1Yes, Fibromyalgia Is Real9
Dumping Your Doubts about the Validity of FMS9
Examining the Symptoms, Causes, and Pain Problems Associated with FMS10
Considering Who Gets FMS12
Looking at Related Medical Problems12
Finding a Doctor Who's a "True Believer" in Fibromyalgia13
Treating the Problem14
Making Lifestyle Changes: Pulling Yourself into a Non-Fibro World14
Coping with Fibromyalgia at Home and on the Job15
Do You Have Fibromyalgia? A Self-test17
Chapter 2Recognizing Key Symptoms of Fibromyalgia21
Describing Where It Hurts: Everywhere!22
Feeling Extremely Fatigued24
Facing Fibro Fog: Mental Malaise26
Weathering Your Reactions to Weather27
Dealing with Common Sleep Disorders28
Experiencing Related Medical Problems28
Chapter 3Understanding Possible Causes of Fibromyalgia37
What is for Certain About Fibromyalgia38
Down But Not Out: Physical Trauma38
Catching FMS42
Regarding Gulf War Syndrome45
Studying Chemical Imbalances47
Examining Environmental Causes49
Exploring Other Theories50
Looking to the Future54
Chapter 4Understanding Fibromyalgia Pain55
Grasping Pain and Why People Have to Have It56
Regarding the Different Kind of Pain That's Fibromyalgia58
Working with Your Doctor to Manage FMS Pain59
Part IIFinding Out If You Have Fibromyalgia65
Chapter 5Who Gets Picked to Have Fibromyalgia?67
Looking at the Numbers: Who Has FMS?68
Wondering Why Women Suffer More from FMS than Men68
Considering How FMS Relates to Women's Ages69
FMS and Men: It Isn't Just a Woman Thing71
Chapter 6Identifying Diseases Often Confused with Fibromyalgia73
Understanding the Uncertainty74
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome75
Myofascial Pain Syndrome78
Arthritis81
Thyroid Disease84
The Other Suspects86
Chapter 7Working with a Good Fibromyalgia Doc: You Need a True Believer91
Working with Your Primary Care Doctor92
Looking Elsewhere for a Doctor: How to Know if It's Time94
Considering Types of Specialists95
Finding a Good Specialist (Or New Primary Care Doctor)97
Interviewing Your Physician Candidate: What's Up, Doc?100
Chapter 8Getting Physical: Your Initial Exam and Diagnosis103
Diving into Your Medical History: What the Doctor Should Ask You104
Volunteering Info if the Doc Doesn't Ask You105
Getting All Your Questions Out in the Open108
Identifying the Tender Points of Fibromyalgia109
Test-ifying About FMS111
Part IIIGetting to Wellness: How Fibromyalgia is Treated117
Chapter 9Medicating the Problem: Over-the-Counter Drugs May Help119
Examining the Nuts and Bolts of Guaifenesin120
Relieving Pain with Painkillers126
Warming up to Cold Remedies for FMS128
Talking About Topical Remedies129
Chapter 10Prescribing Health with Medications133
Relaxing Your FMS: Muscle Relaxants134
Easing Pain with Painkillers135
Reducing Inflammation: NSAIDs140
Fighting FMS with Antidepressants141
Other Prescribed Medicines for FMS143
Opening Your Eyes to Info on Sleep Remedies146
Thinking About Future Remedies147
Chapter 11Using Hands-On Therapies149
Chilling Out! Icing the Pain149
Heating Up the Problem: Heat Therapy151
Massaging the Problem: Massage Therapy153
An Electrifying Solution: TENS159
Considering Chiropractors161
Chapter 12Considering Alternative Remedies and Treatments163
Thinking Through Alternative Remedies164
Fighting FMS Naturally with Herbs and Supplements165
Pinning Down a Solution: Acupuncture168
Beating FMS with Botox Injections171
Taking On T'ai Chi174
Repelling Magnet Therapy175
Smelling Your Way to Health with Aromatherapy176
Part IVLifestyle Changes: What You Can Do on Your Own177
Chapter 13Depressurizing Yourself: Controlling the Stress-Eyed Monster179
Knowing When You're Too Stressed180
Chilling Out with Relaxation Therapy182
Stress-busting with Biofeedback Therapy184
Mesmerizing the Pain: Hypnotherapy186
Meditating, Doing Yoga, and Praying189
Chapter 14Sweet Dreams! Combating Sleep Disorders191
What is Sleep?192
Understanding the Importance of Sleep Stages193
Identifying Key Sleep Problems195
Analyzing Your Sleep: A Self-test197
Adjusting Your Lifestyle to Cope with the Problem199
Slipping Into Slumber Using Medications and Other Remedies201
Chapter 15Exercising, Losing Weight, and Avoiding Trigger Foods/Drinks205
Exercising to Relieve FMS Pain206
Exploring Pain-Relieving Exercises207
Losing Weight to Decrease Pain and Fatigue214
Discovering Dietary Effects: Good Foods/Bad Foods218
Chapter 16Coping with Emotions: Your Own221
Dealing with Depression222
Determining If Your Problem Is Anxiety223
Taking Your Emotional Temperature224
Finding a Therapist226
Treating Emotional Problems with Medication228
Part VLiving and Working with Fibromyalgia231
Chapter 17Working with Fibromyalgia--Or Going on Disability233
Explaining Fibromyalgia to Your Boss and Coworkers: Should You?234
Deciding Whether You Should Stay at Your Job236
Getting Your Insurance Company to Pay for Treatment238
Taking the Next Step If FMS Is Disabling241
Finding an Attorney to Help You245
Chapter 18Helping Loved Ones Deal with Your Fibromyalgia247
Understanding How Fibromyalgia Can Affect Your Relationships248
Putting Yourself in the Right Frame of Mind249
Opening Up for Some Honest Dialogue250
Anticipating Difficulties251
Knowing How to Respond to "Helpful" Comments252
Helping Your Significant Other Cope253
Explaining FMS to Your Kids255
Joining a Support Group257
Chapter 19Helping Someone You Care About Who's Hurting261
Understanding Without Feeling Their Pain262
Coping with Your Own Emotions267
Going to Support Meetings270
Chapter 20Parenting a Child with Fibromyalgia271
Looking at Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Children272
Accurately Diagnosing the Problem274
Getting Help for Your Child with Fibromyalgia275
Treating a Child with Fibromyalgia275
Including Your Children Who Don't Have Fibromyalgia277
Working with Your Child's Teacher277
Dealing with Jeers from Peers280
Part VIThe Part of Tens283
Chapter 21Ten Ways to Explain Fibromyalgia to Everyone (Even Your Doctor!)285
Chapter 22Ten Must-Dos for Everyone with Fibromyalgia289
Chapter 23Ten Ways to Beat the Effects of Brain Fog295
Chapter 24Ten Myths about Fibromyalgia299
Part VIIAppendixes303
Appendix AGlossary305
Appendix BFibromyalgia Medications309
Appendix CResources and Support315
Index321

Books about: Quick Easy Dim Sum Appetizers and Light Meals or 30 Secrets of the Worlds Healthiest Cuisines

RAWvolution: Gourmet Living Cuisine

Author: Matt Amsden

Following a vegan, raw foods diet does not mean you have to give up your favorite delicacies or condemn yourself to a life of celery and carrot sticks. As renowned raw foods chef Matt Amsden reveals in this vibrant, inspiring book, raw cuisine represents the discovery and innovative use of luscious natural ingredients. From imaginative new dishes such as cactus salad, onion bread, and spirulina pie, to tantalizing variations on everything from pizza, tacos, and cookies, to the signature "Big Matt with Cheese," Amsden's mouthwatering recipes feature soups, sauces, salads, appetizers, entrees, and even desserts.

More than a cookbook, RAWvolution is the indispensable, all-inclusive guide to the many powerful benefits of raw food. Beginning with his personal account of "How I Went Raw," Amsden shares essential advice, information, and encouragement for adopting a raw foods lifestyle. His delectable recipes are organized by type, level of difficulty, and what equipment, if any, is necessary in their creation. Accessible to both beginners and experienced cooks, RAWvolution addresses everyone from vegetarians who want to take the next step in natural cuisine, to those who simply want to diversify and improve their everyday diet.

There has never been a more important time to incorporate raw foods into your lifestyle. Raw, vegan cuisine is making news daily, providing healthy and nutritious alternatives that are changing lives. Best of all, raw food can be delicious. There is no need to sacrifice flavor for bland and boring "health" food. Enliven your senses and taste buds instead with rich, living cuisine.



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