Study Probes Obesity Link To Fibromyalgia
Editor's ChoiceMain Category: Fibromyalgia
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness; Pain / Anesthetics
Article Date: 04 Jan 2011 - 0:00 PDT
email to a friend
printer friendly
opinions'Study Probes Obesity Link To Fibromyalgia'
| Patient / Public: |  |
3 (10 votes) |
| Healthcare Prof: |  |
2.5 (2 votes) |
| Article opinions: | 3 posts |
Afflicting up to 5 percent of the U.S. population, mostly women, fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain and range of function problems. A new study in The Journal of Pain reports there is close association between obesity and disability in fibromyalgia patients.
The purpose of the study, conducted by University of Utah researchers, was to evaluate the relationship between fibromyalgia and obesity. They hypothesized that obesity significantly adds to the disease and disability burden of the condition. Two hundred fifteen fibromyalgia patients were evaluated in the study and given several physical tests to measure strength, flexibility, range of motion, and strength. Heart rates and sleep quality also were assessed.
The authors reported that consistent with previous studies, obesity is common among those with fibromyalgia. Half the study sample was obese and an additional thirty percent were overweight. Also consistent with previous findings, obese patients in this study showed increased pain sensitivity, which was more pronounced in lower body areas. The obese patients also had impaired flexibility in the lower body and reduced strength.
The study concluded that obesity is a common comorbidity of fibromyalgia that may compromise clinical outcomes. The adverse impact of obesity is evidenced by hyperalgesia, disability, impaired quality of life and sleep problems. The authors also noted that recent evidence suggests weight loss improves fibromyalgia symptoms, perhaps resulting from patients adopting healthier lifestyles and taking more positive attitudes toward symptom management, and overall quality of life.
Source: American Pain Society
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
MLA
26 May. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/212664.php>
APA
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/212664.php.
Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.
Visitor Opinions (latest shown first)
Cause or effect?
posted by Kittie on 26 Nov 2011 at 7:15 pmAs a fibromite for over 15 years, I have tried different drugs, alternative therapies, exercise regimens, and gained/lost 50 pounds. I can say with clarity that I feel the best when I am on minimal meds and when I weigh a reasonable amount.
AT 5'9" and 135 pounds, I walk during the day, take the stairs when possible (whether it hurts or not!) and don't avoid physical exertion due to pain. It's just another sensation, after all...and with fibro, pain is NOT a sign that you're hurting yourself or should stop. It's just part of life.
I am one of those who has very limited sympathy for the obese. How many calories do you consume in a day? Do you even know? How much do you move? I don't care if it hurts. Do it anyway.
Fibro is real. The pain is real. But this is your life, and the only one you're likely to get. Don't let the disease keep you from living it.
Dis-ease and Obesity
posted by Flick on 15 Apr 2011 at 10:59 amI am writing a paper: Heightened Sensitivity and the ‘Sponge Body’
exploring unacknowledged, embodied trauma and the creative, healing voice of Body Psychotherapy.
It has been approximately 30years that I have been asking, stating, almost begging the medical profession to do unbiased research into obesity; no one so far has listened, probably due to the fact that the issue is complex and it's much EASIER to blame the obese patient for "being out of control" having an unhealthy lifestyle etc etc.... you've heard it all before.
When we open our minds to the possibilities that science cannot always come up with the answers and that there are a myriad of reasons why a person is obese then some serious results may be found.
In my personal experience, fibromyalgia has incapacitated me so much that I became 90% inactive for over a year with damaged ligaments which wouldn't heal - this has caused weight gain and a body of dis-ease, not the other way around.
The other factor is, many people who are obese and or have fibromyalgia may also be Empaths soaking up un-named negative energies of others; I am such a person. My system is on overload and in flight mode for most of the time which creates the heightened awareness and sensitivity. This is a complex Psycho-physical problem, not because someone is obese.... the obesity is part of the picture because the wisdom of my body is trying to protect me, my soul and I!!!
My Usual Response - Chicken or Egg?
posted by Nitalynn on 6 Jan 2011 at 7:27 amI was not skinny when I was diagnosed with the condition but in most ways I was healthy. I do admit that I was borderline overweight. I worked retail and continued to do so for 7 years after my diagnosis. I was on my feet and moving most of the time at work and I lived close enough that most of the time I was able to walk back and forth to work. I stayed at my weight until I finally had to quit work because of the stress. After that was when I started gaining weight. A little at first and I kept on walking. I had a kidney stone that had to be removed surgically.
Before developing fibro I rebounded from illnesses quickly. It now takes a much longer time. At that point I really started putting on weight and have since developed severe arthritis in my back. It was not caused by fibro but probably by the vegetable gardening I used to do with a shovel. I could have used a tiller and my brother who lived locally would and did help from time to time. I did it to keep slim and trim and at that time it worked. Now unfortunately I am paying the price for it.
I am sure in my mind if I had continued working my weight would have remained stable where it was.
Studies like this bother me. I truly believe that gaining weight in most of our cases is caused by inactivity that is a result of our condition not the other way around. Also in most cases I hear the reason most of us eventually have to quit work is more related to stress and pain not becoming physically disabled. If we are able to maintain a reasonable level of activity afterward we can usually stay active. Anything that knocks us flat though is a real danger to our ability to stay active. What might be a short disability to "normals" is often an obstruction we simply cannot overcome because of slow rate our body heals and how hard it is for us to come back from any sort of injury.
Add Your Opinion On This Article
'Study Probes Obesity Link To Fibromyalgia'Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.
If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.
All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)
Contact Our News Editors
For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.
Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:
Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.
Privacy Policy |
Terms and Conditions
MediLexicon International Ltd
Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom
MediLexicon International Ltd © 2004-2012 All rights reserved.
MNT (logo) is the registered EU trade mark of MediLexicon Int. Limited.
Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom
MediLexicon International Ltd © 2004-2012 All rights reserved.
MNT (logo) is the registered EU trade mark of MediLexicon Int. Limited.
