| Oftentimes, when fibromyalgia is diagnosed, people | | | | include stroke and high blood pressure. |
| are prescribed medications to treat pain and other | | | | In the study that involved 109 women who have |
| symptoms associated with the disorder. But recent | | | | fibromyalgia, it was found that they were 5.5 times |
| studies have shown that there may be a fibromyalgia | | | | more likely to develop metabolic risks than women |
| high blood pressure link and certain medications may | | | | who were healthy are. They also tended to have |
| even put a patient at risk. | | | | higher body mass index, LDL cholesterol levels, |
| Serotonin, fibromyalgia and high blood pressure | | | | glycosylated hemoglobin and yes, high blood pressure. |
| Serotonins are neuro-transmitters that pass on | | | | Changing the way we treat fibromyalgia |
| messages from one cell to the next via synapses. In | | | | The American Heart Association recently made a |
| the central nervous system, serotonin affects | | | | statement regarding the use of certain drugs to treat |
| memory, mood and sensations of pain. A condition | | | | chronic pain, including those associated with |
| called Serotonin Syndrome is characterized by | | | | fibromyalgia. According to the statement, the AHA |
| increased serotonin levels in the body. | | | | advises doctors to use treatments that are |
| For people who have fibromyalgia, serotonin | | | | non-pharmacologic as a first line of defense against |
| syndrome can become a problem. Some of the | | | | fibromyalgia. Only when this approach fails should |
| newer and most promising treatments for | | | | doctors consider medications to provide relief but |
| fibromyalgia are serotonin-based medications. These | | | | only in a 'stepped-care' approach. The AHA believes |
| medications provide relief from pain and muscle | | | | that chronic pain, including fibromyalgia pain, can be |
| stiffness but they can also elevate the levels of | | | | overcome without the need to expose patients to |
| serotonin in the body. As a result, fibromyalgia | | | | risks such as heart problems and high blood pressure. |
| patients can feel dizzy, restless, confused, | | | | For more information about how to treat fibromyalgia |
| uncoordinated, sweaty and anxious. | | | | symptoms naturally and without side effects sign up |
| If left untreated, this syndrome can lead to | | | | for the newsletter below. |
| complications including high blood pressure. If allowed | | | | Due to the side effects of certain medications, |
| to progress, high blood pressure as a result of | | | | fibromyalgia is often inadvertently linked to high blood |
| fibromyalgia medication can be life-threatening and | | | | pressure. Because of the accompanying risks |
| lead to seizures and strokes. | | | | involved, patients must work closely with their |
| High blood pressure as a result of fibromyalgia | | | | doctors to find the proper medications that can treat |
| In a recent study conducted by the School of | | | | their disorder and still keep the negative risks low. |
| Medicine and Public Health at the University of | | | | Patients should be aware of the fibromyalgia high |
| Wisconsin, it was found that fibromyalgia increases | | | | blood pressure connection so they know what to |
| the risk developing metabolic syndrome. Metabolic | | | | expect and to see their doctor immediately if a |
| syndrome brings with it a host of risk factors that | | | | negative reaction is experienced. |