Fibromyalgia. You might then ask, what’s that?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition associated with pain in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joints.

The causes are not always that clear to determine. Some say it could be a stressful or traumatic condition, lack of sleep, repetitive injuries, chemical changes in the brain, low levels of blood flow to the thalamus region of the brain, low levels of serotonin and tryptophan, or it’s simply genetic.

People with fibromyalgia may have some degree of constant pain. Yet, the pain may get worse in response to activity, stress, weather changes and other factors. They also may have headache or other deep aches. Not to mention muscle tightening or spasms. Many even have migratory pain (pain that moves around the body).

Those symptoms are very uncomfortable. However, the muscles and organs are not being damaged. This condition is not life-threatening, but it is chronic (ongoing). Those who get it will have it for good.
Yet, the patient should not lose hope. It is not that frightening since it does not progress into a serious ailment, and it can be easily treated. The treatment is focused on improving the health of the person and minimizing the symptoms.

These are some treatments that can be done to minimize the symptoms and to ease the pain, such as:

• Watch what you eat. There is no special kind of diet for fibromyalgia. However, a healthy diet is recommended. Try to consume less sugar and fat. Avoid caffeine. Get more fruits and vegetables cooked lightly. Try echinacea herbal tea to build connective tissue.
• Exercise regularly. Do low-impact aerobic exercises such as swimming or water exercise, stationary bicycling and exercising on ski-type machines or yoga. Start with very low level exercises. You can increase the level little by little.
• Stay away from stress. Some say that it’s a trigging factor for fibromyalgia. So, it would be better to stay as far as possible to things that can get you stressed out.
• Get enough and good sleep. Lack of sleep is also a possible cause. Make sure you get a great sleep everyday.
• Warm the painful area. Cold can worsen the pain. Get a hot pack and put it on the hurting point. Or simply take a warm shower.
• Do some stretching. Stretch just before bed, first thing in the morning, every half hour during the day and whenever you feel muscles tightening. Learn how to do them from your physical therapist.

Spotted Elephant seems to be diagnosed with fibromyalga. Hope these tips can help.

A new study says that the costly medical care helps extending life. Check out these news:

Medical Care Characterized as Relative Bargain

“While money can’t buy love, it can buy life, concluded David M. Cutler, Ph.D., and colleagues, in the Aug. 31 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.”

Americans May Get Medical Money’s Worth

“However, the study calculated that Americans of all ages spent an average of ,900 on medical care for each extra year of life expectancy gained over the last four decades of the 20th century. And that cost is worth it, the study authors say.“

What do you think?

Peach, originated in China, is known to have the ability to bestow immortality, as mentioned in the Chinese legend.

Well, it could be right in term of its ability to provide potassium for those who consume it. Per 100 grams of peach edible portion, you can get 197 mg of potassium.

Why would you need potassium? Along with sodium, it regulates the water balance and the acid-base balance in the blood and tissues. Increased potassium may increase the amount of sodium excreted from the body. So, by increasing potassium in the diet you can protect against hypertension, especially if you’re sensitive to high levels of sodium.

Anna made a delicious Peach Pie of which recipe she posted in her blog. She really recommends it.

Wish to try? I think I will.

This lovely Terry Caballes has been a great subscriber to Healthifica.com Newsletter. She shares her tips on “Loving Ourselves” below:

“Thanks for your health teachings and I loved it!

I’d like to share my experiences about loving your self.

I’m sure all of us care about ourselves! But there are times we hate ourselves.
When that occurs, the first thing that I do is that I ask my self if what is wrong with me. I talk to my self and there should be a positive outlook and not all are negative outlook.

Secondly, I went to the mall, specially I’d like to go to the cards section because I’d like to read verses in the cards and inspirational messages that makes my heart feel cheerful and free.

Thirdly, read bible or inspirational messages in order you can remind the good things to do in our self. It is best also to counsel or talk to your friend about your self and ask some advices.

That’s all my tips!

“Cheerful heart is a good medicine”. -Proverbs 17:22.“

What’s the connection between sperm quality and age?

They are highly connected.

The sperm quality, as men age, drops. It is influenced by the slowing down of testosterone production. One of the signs of the drop of production can be seen in the lessening of semen.

Every year the sperm movement drops to 0.7%, based on a study conducted by the researchers at the University of California Berkeley. They found that men’s sperm begins to deteriorate when they are in their 20s. And at the age of 60, men’s abnormality of sperm motility is up to 80%.

The best time for men to conceive a child is between 20-45 years old. However, there is still a possibility for men above 60 or even 70 to father a child. That’s rare, but possible.

I’ve just found this lovely blog of Sarah Brown’s telling a story about her friend’s sister, Maria, who had a terrible car accident on Monday, August 21st.

Maria’s family have created a blog to update on her condition and progress that she makes everyday.

To give support to Maria and her family, you can visit her blog and send her a pray. That can give a huge help to her recovery.

Get well soon, Dear Maria.

The only way to really quit smoking is not to give up. You just need to try it again and again until finally you really stop.

Not many smokers out there can successfully quit smoking only in one single step. Many have to do it all over again for three, four even five times.

So, that’s ok, Deborah, to fail once or twice. What’s important is that you don’t give up.

For you who might be on the process of trying all you might to stop smoking, these Healthifica.com’s tips might help.

And, remember, no matter how strong the temptation is, say NO and stick to your goal!

Healthy inside out is what makes us here at Healthifica.com chose Nikki as our “HEALTHY BLOGGER THIS WEEK!”

She cleaned up her house for she will have some guests on the Labor Day Weekend. She took out documents, letters, CDs, etc. She also gave away all the baby stuff she had for Connor, her son, to the daycare that he went to.

Those things are sweet memories of her past. Some people tend to keep them and just let them get dusted in the attic or in the den. Some even have never stepped in there to check out the stuff. Some just add and add until they can’t even open the door for it’s extra-loaded.

But some, like Nikki, finally get to the decision to clear them out. Whatever the reason, Nikki really had done something important and healthy. Both for her heart and her house.

By exploring one by one all her stuff in the eight boxes she’s been keeping, she took out all the memories, the sweet, sad, touchy, and lovely. That gives her a melancholy feeling. Well, don’t worry, Nikki. Being melancholy once in a while is quite healthy, indeed.

And now, she’s got her house all clean. And, she’s ready for a lovely weekend with her guests.

Are you worried about the amount of wrinkles on your lovely face?

Don’t be.

Check out these delicious fruits and vegetables below…they can help you avoid having more wrinkles! They contain anti-oxidants to help you save your cells from premature aging.

• Berries, any berries at all, strawberry, blueberry, cranberry, raspberry
• Avocado
• Broccoli
• Carrot
• Grapes
• Onion
• Garlic
• Spinach
• Tomato

Aren’t they tasty?

Yet, being 5, 15, 25 in heart will also help a lot. Sandra did it with a wish to make the wrinkles seem more like laugh lines.

Care to try?