Is Fibromyalgia A Deadly Disease?

Is fibromyalgia a deadly disease? Fibromyalgia is a chronic health condition that generates severe pain in the muscles and causes tender points all over the body. A person dealing with fibromyalgia pain often experiences disability and reduced quality of life.

In some cases, fibromyalgia can be a long-standing condition, but it is not a deadly disease. However, its complications include an increased risk of higher death rates due to suicide attempts and severe physical injuries.

A 2010 study discovered that the risk of death due to suicide was ten times higher in those with fibromyalgia compared to the general community. Degrees of depression in fibromyalgia patients also tend to be higher than in people without this condition.

Is Fibromyalgia a Deadly Disease?

Is fibromyalgia fatal to patients? It is a question that many people frequently ask the moment they get a fibromyalgia diagnosis. It can be a scary thing to hear about a condition that is not well understood. 

The good news is that fibromyalgia, by itself, won't kill you. Fibromyalgia symptoms are not deadly. Complications from it cannot kill the patient. Fibromyalgia is not a terminal disease like AIDS or cancer. If left untreated, cancer will cause tumors to spread around the body, which eventually shut down vital organs. Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, won’t kill you. The pain and grief may grow worse over time, but it will not cause your organs to shut down the way cancer would. Therefore, fibromyalgia, by itself, can never kill a patient. There is no increased risk of dying due to natural causes. 

Fibromyalgia and Suicide

People who have fibromyalgia are at a significantly higher risk of thinking about suicide than most people. It is easy to see why. Fibromyalgia patients regularly face extreme challenges, chronic pain, and increasing difficulty in a lot of things. Here are the reasons why:

• Fibromyalgia is a severely painful disease.
• It gradually limits your ability to do your daily routines normally.
• Going to the bathroom can be a real challenge.
• It ‘s harder to take care of yourself.
• Patients can become isolated from friends and family.
• Close friends and family ultimately get burdened with the patient’s situation.
• People you depend on for support often drift away as your condition worsens.
• Experiencing constant pain can be depressing.
• Mental fogginess makes it hard to function properly.
• You can constantly feel fatigued.
• Eventually, fibromyalgia patients feel depression and anxiety disorders.
• Patients stuck in a depressing situation with a condition that alters brain chemistry, making them feel depressed and feeling alone.

Meanwhile, fibromyalgia patients are feeling farther removed from friends and family. These patients eventually feel they are unwanted or uncared for. Finally, they will feel they are abandoned and forgotten. Being in constant pain takes its toll on people, no matter how strong they may be. Without any support or hope of relief from their illness, not to mention experiencing anxieties, sadness, and fears, fibromyalgia patients may eventually give up. 

There is Hope for Fibromyalgia Patients!

Never give up hope. When all seems lost, there is always someone or some group of people who can help you. Seek out help from people who know how you feel. Join support groups so you can get exposed to people who are in the same boat as you are. They can talk about your struggles, fears, and hopes. But, be honest and open about any possible suicidal thoughts. There are always people, groups, and resources you can turn to for help. Always keep in mind that you are not alone in your struggles.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for Fibromyalgia Relief

For some people who are able to get to the underlying cause of their fibromyalgia symptoms it does not have to be a long-standing condition. There’s a clear link between a misalignment in the upper neck bones and the onset of fibromyalgia in many people. It relates to the stress on the brainstem when a misalignment occurs in either the C1 or C2 vertebra. 

Misalignment in this area leads to improper signals given to the brain. If the brainstem tells the brain that there is severe pain when there is none, fibromyalgia may develop. 

Upper cervical specialists employ a gentle method to help the aligned the head and neck. It will not inflict further pain. It encourages the bones to move into place without the need to pop or crack the back or spine. Once the misalignment is appropriately corrected, patients may experience a significant improvement in their fibromyalgia symptoms. 

With our most recent understanding of fibromyalgia, the disorder originates in the nervous system. Therefore, it would be logical to make sure that the nervous system is always at its optimum best. Upper cervical care is a vital branch of chiropractic that targets the restoration of healthy brain-body communication through the brainstem. Thus, realigning misaligned bones in the neck region restores proper nerve and body communication.

Overview of Research on Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Fibromyalgia (FM) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are chronic conditions characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and a host of other symptoms. The etiology of these conditions is not fully understood, but they are believed to involve central sensitization and possibly cervical spine issues. Upper cervical chiropractic care (UCC) has been explored as a potential treatment for these conditions, with various studies and case reports documenting its effects.

Case Studies and Reports

Resolution of Fibromyalgia Following Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care: A Case Study

• A 45-year-old female with a history of cervical traumas and multiple car accidents presented with fibromyalgia and a range of other symptoms. After 17 months of upper cervical chiropractic care, which included 47 adjustments, she reported complete resolution of fibromyalgia, sciatica, knee pain, chronic back pain, and migraines. She also stopped using her wheelchair and all routine medications.

Cervical Spondylosis as a Hidden Contributing Factor to Fibromyalgia: A Case Report

• A 44-year-old woman with a history of domestic violence presented with chronic headache, neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain, diagnosed as fibromyalgia and depression. Despite various treatments, she found no relief until undergoing multimodal chiropractic approaches, including upper cervical chiropractic, massage, and cervical traction. After 9 months, her physical and mental complaints were mostly resolved.

Observational Studies and Anecdotal Evidence

Upper Cervical Chiropractic and Fibromyalgia

• This article discusses the potential of upper cervical chiropractic as a drug-free option for fibromyalgia symptom relief. It suggests that UCC can help with pain, swelling, stiffness, chronic fatigue, headaches, and mood disorders associated with fibromyalgia. The article emphasizes the natural, side-effect-free nature of UCC and its potential to reduce medication use.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Meets Its Match in Upper Cervical

• Dr. Marshall Dickholtz Sr. made a connection between the upper neck and chronic fatigue. Patients treated with upper cervical adjustments showed significant improvements in various health aspects, including sleep and cortisol levels. The article suggests that addressing neck trauma and misalignment can alleviate chronic fatigue symptoms.

Potential Mechanisms and Theoretical Underpinnings

CNS Abnormalities: The Root Cause of Fibromyalgia?

• This source discusses central sensitization as a key factor in fibromyalgia pain. It explains how cervical subluxation, particularly of the C1 and C2 vertebrae, can press on nerve roots and trigger hypersensitivity. Upper cervical chiropractic is highlighted as a remedy that restores symmetry and balance in the cervical spine, potentially alleviating fibromyalgia symptoms.

Conclusion

The research on upper cervical chiropractic care as a treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome includes case studies, anecdotal evidence, and theoretical discussions on the potential mechanisms of action. The current evidence suggests that UCC may offer a natural, side-effect-free approach to managing symptoms, but individual results can vary, and care should be personalized.

Browse for an upper cervical specialist by using the search function on this website. You can find the one nearest you. Let us help you reclaim a life at a higher standard and less pain. There is always hope and healing. It’s time for you to claim yours now.

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