Fibro Files: November 2019

Saturday

FIBRO FILES: Fibro in the media this week.

I am always fascinated to see what information is being published, in the news media, about Fibromyalgia. I thought you might be interested too.

This week we are travelling around the world from Israel, to Canada and then to Virginia USA to see what is being written about Fibromyalgia (FMS).
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Fibromyalgia patients to become eligible for state disability stipend. Chronic condition recognized for purpose of state benefits; rocket-battered southern Israel has seen surge in cases over past few years. TIMES OF ISRAEL. 10 November 2019

SUMMARY: The state will recognize those afflicted with fibromyalgia as disabled especially as the number of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia has increased near the Gaza border.
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Treating fibromyalgia can be like peeling an onion

Fibromyalgia is a very complex health condition that is not well understood or managed within the current medical paradigm, licensed nutritionist Nonie De Long says. NEWMARKETTODAY. ca 16 November 2019

SUMMARY: Gladys asks a question about fibro and her search for holistic answers and an orthomolecular nutritionist answers.
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Opioid Use Disorder-Related Hospitalization Rates Have Increased for Patients with Most Common Rheumatic Diseases. NEWSWISE. 6 November 2019

SUMMARY: Report on a study that examined hospitalization rates for Opiod Use Disorder in patients with fibromyalgia, gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and low back pain.
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Humor and pain

This post is about humor and if it helps to dispel pain. Also does it only work while you are laughing or does it have longer lasting effects?

Humor or humour, however you spell it, can be a powerful anecdote to pain according to the research.

A 1995 study demonstrated that a significant increase in pain tolerance was seen in the groups being shown a humorous film compared to the other groups that were not.

In 2011 research led by Oxford University’s Robin Dunbar conducted experiments in the lab and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to discover laughter's effect on pain. They found that genuine laughter releases endorphins in the brain - chemicals that activate pain-killing effects. There was also a "dose-related" response to laughter, meaning that people who laughed more felt less pain later on.

In 2013 it was reported, at The European Pain Federation Congress, that humor can increase pain tolerance and improve quality of life. According to Thomas Benz (RehaClinic Zurzach, Switzerland), targeted humor interventions should be part of pain therapy.

So humor activates the release of endorphins and it also helps lessen muscular tension, meaning its effect on pain is both mental and physical.

"As a result, humor helps to reflect pain, thus helping both the patients as well as their carers to deal better with stress," said Professor Willibald Ruch, Zurich University. "Humor can be used specifically as a cognitive technique, for example in terms of a distraction to control the pain and increase pain tolerance."

Also the helpful effects can last longer than just the time you are laughing due to the endorphins.

For your laughing pleasure we have included a collection of jokes relating to chronic illness.