Issues Surrounding the Three Key Chronic Illnesses Including Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and Lupus - Coursework Example

Background: The growing incidences of such maladies as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and lupus have posed a serious threat the health and well being of individuals. It is highly imperative to address the challenges faced due to the rise of such illnesses through positive changes in lifestyles and nutrition. Effective wellness management programs designed and offered by bespoke institutions can go a long way in offering much needed services to the patients suffering from such illnesses. Specialised wellness centres offering services such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage and reikie are likely to speed up the recovery process, thus helping the patients to recuperate in a positive environment. This report discusses the various aspects and issues surrounding the three key chronic illnesses including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and lupus and offers an in-depth and comprehensive overview of the disorders, their causes and symptoms, and the treatments for the same. It also presents evidence of the most suitable treatments for each illness Fibromyalgia: Meaning & Definition: “Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common chronic and debilitating condition with persistent and widespread muscular pain, reduced pain threshold and tenderness, often accompanied by a number of associated symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, psychological distress, headache and irritable bowel syndrome” (Annemans, Le Lay, and Taïeb, 2009). In the modern society, fibromyalgia syndrome has a very high level of incidence, and it is increasingly recognized by health care providers as more patients seek assistance for their chronic pain conditions. According to Skaer (2014), fibromyalgia syndrome primarily affects women, and a majority of FMS patients are suffering from reduced quality of life, daily functioning and productivity. Dating back to the history of fibromyalgia syndrome, it was once thought to be a mental disorder and first described by doctors in the early 1800s. In 1976, the name of the condition was changed to “fibromyalgia” taken from Latin and Greek words (Fatma and Muhammad, 2009). They went on to describe that “Fibra (Latin) means fibrous tissue and has to do with painful tendons and ligaments, Myos (Greek) means muscles, and Algos (Greek) means pain”. Key causes, symptoms & incidence: There are several possible causes of fibromyalgia, including autonomic nervous system dysfunction, sleep disorders, muscle trauma, genetic predisposition, infectious agents and immune system abnormalities. Also, fibromyalgia can often be difficult to diagnose despite the estimate that 1 in every 50 people in America are suffering from it (Annemans, Le Lay, and Taïeb, 2009). The patient burden of fibromyalgia syndrome such as the low quality of daily life and metal suffering is quite high in comparison with many other conditions. Although fibromyalgia cannot be cured so far, there is an increasing number of suffers seeking for effective alternative therapies to release pain from this malady. Treatment: Acupuncture Among different kinds of alternative therapies, acupuncture, massage and aromatherapy are considered as three most effective alternative therapies, which most of suffers have a strong desire to try. Acupuncture is becoming increasingly popular in North America, and has shown to be particularly effective in reducing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. According to White and Ernst (2004), acupuncture is generally held to have originated in China, being first mentioned in documents dating from a few hundred years leading up to the Common Era. It is an ancient Chinese practice used to eliminate pain and treat other health problems. They continued to state that “systematic reviews have provided more reliable evidence of acupuncture’s value in treating nausea, back pain, headache, and some syndromes of fibromyalgia in the last decade of the twentieth century”. The goal of acupuncture is to restore balance to the body, helping to improve the overall function. It places thin, metallic needles, which range from one to ten centimeters in length, in certain points all over the skin in order to stimulate special points throughout the body. These special points, called acupoints or acupuncture points, correspond to the specific areas in the body that are causing health problems (Deare et al. , 2013). f is believed that acupuncture may actually block pain impulses from reaching the brain and increase the level of endorphins in the body, thereby minimizing pain. According to David et al. (2006), “fibromyalgia acupuncture treatment was shown to reduce pain and depression as well as increase energy and reduce fatigue in a recent study performed by the Mayo Clinic”. They went on to say that the most significant improvements were found in fatigue and anxiety levels, which reduces the pain caused by fibromyalgia to a large extent. At the first acupuncture session, the acupuncture therapist will go over patient’s medical history in order to get the information about patient’s general health, symptoms that the patient suffers, and any fibromyalgia treatments the patient is currently using. After that, therapist begins with checking pulse and assessing the color and texture of patient’s tongue with the purpose of discerning which acupoints should be targeted during the session. In one session, up to fifteen points may be pinpointed, and the therapist will begin applying pressure or inserting needles into these acupoints. Patients may not experience any pain, but they may feel aching or tingling at the site. In terms of the acupuncture cost, a lot of factors like the amount of visits and the degree that patient suffers from fibromyalgia syndrome should be taken into consideration (Acupuncture and Acupressure, n.d.). For most types of acupuncture treatments, more than one visit is needed. In general, the first visit is the most expensive. Cost of treatment: Although the acupuncture cost can differ depending on the type of treatment, the initial or one-time visit will often cost somewhere between $75 and $125. In the first visit, the acupuncture therapist will estimate how many additional treatments that patients will need. However, compared to the initial visit, routine visits, the patient visits his or her acupuncture therapist per week, biweekly, etc., cost less and will usually run between $50 and $75. Besides these two forms, preventative treatments are expected to cost between $50 and $90 each visit (See Exhibit 1). Also, the acupuncture costs vary based on the severity of the condition. In other words, it will be higher for the conditions that are more serious, harder and unique to treat. Some conditions may require follow-up treatments at home, such as the use of herbs, so those cost must also be figured in to the overall total (Acupuncturecost, n.d.). Chronic Fatigue Meaning & Definition: According to Medscape, which is an online medical resource, and is famous among physicians, chronic fatigue disorder (CFS) is not predictable and currently has no effective therapy. The disorder may lead to other cognitive diseases/difficulties as it progresses. The disease is diagnosed if an individual suffers from (CFS) for at least 6 months and shows at least 4 of the following symptoms as listed below. Causes & symptoms: 1. Short term memory loss or lack of concentration 2. Sore throat 3. Muscle pain 4. Joint pain, with swelling or redness 5. Different types of headaches 6. Lethargic, even after a long sleep 7. Discomfort feeling that lasts more than 24 hours. Medical online resource, such as emedicine health, states that patients suffering from (CFS) suffer from fatigue and short-term memory loss, eventually hampering their ability to perform at their best potential. (CFS) is common in the United States, this could be due to the heavy work routine or other psychological factors. CFS however is most common among women when compared with men. It is also common among young to middle age adults. The disease can be triggered by excessive exercise, inter-current infection, stress, and lack of sleep. Treatment: There is no effective therapy for CFS, but there are different ways in which it can be controlled and patients have shown signs of improvement overtime. The target to achieve during the treatment is to reduce stress and to increase the patient’s wellbeing. The treatment has to be tailored from individual to individual. There are no tests to determine the presence of (CFS), but however a doctor may carry out blood tests and antibody tests to see if there is something unusual. Emedicine health, suggests that there are three ways in which you can get a hold of your (CFS). 1. Self-care at home 2. Medical Treatment 3. Other Therapies (Massage, Acupuncture, Chiropractic Therapy, Exercise Programs) The treatment at home begins by developing a fixed routine, this involves a good sleep, little exercise, and good nutrition. An individual during the process of wellbeing should also try to avoid physical and emotional stress. In order to achieve this, the patient must let go of certain stress inducing activities, and negative people from his life. As this will help him in the future to reach his ultimate goal, which is personal wellbeing. The patient should also avoid excessive sleep, which entails being proactive, and keeping oneself busy. These methods would ensure reduction in stress by abstaining from indulging in activities that are stress-free. The individual should also maintain physical activity, but at a smooth/comfortable pace, as a lot of activity may result in increased stress/fatigue. The individual should reduce his consumption of alcohol and caffeine since consumption of such beverages may result in hyperactivity resulting in increased stress. Emedicine health also suggests that the individual should not isolate himself, instead he/she should socialize. As talking to a person, sharing thoughts can be really beneficial to reduce stress. Medical Treatment is also an option, but since we do not know what causes (CFS) and do not have an effective method to cure (CFS), then it is always good to consult a doctor before taking any pain killers or sleeping pills etc. The (CFS) patients are sensitive to medications, due to weaken immunity caused by stress overload. They are really sensitive to the medications that affect the central nervous system. Patients after consulting their doctor should start with a low dose at first, doctor in return should monitor their progress. Massage, acupuncture and chiropractic therapy: The other therapies mentioned above includes massage, acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, and exercise programs. All the methods mentioned above do not guarantee a 100 percent recovery. These methods also need to be combined with an exercise program that involves stretching. Individuals may find relief from these practices. It has been said that individuals suffering from (CFS) responded positively when they experimented with new practices and plans. These include new diet plans and herbal supplements. Emedicine health states that the herbal supplements that have contributed to fight (CFS) includes, astragalus, borage seed oil, bromelain, comfrey, echinacea, garlic, Ginko biloba, ginseng, primrose oil etc. Spine health states that chiropractic care involves a chiropractor, who is a health care professional that seeks to reduce back pain. A chiropractor believes that the spine and nervous system are related, and if the spine is treated well, then it will have a positive effect on the nervous system as well. This will improve an individual’s health and will also help him fight (CFS). Chiropractors treat the following types of conditions as listed below, provided by Spine health. 1. Lower back pain 2. Neck pain 3. Repetitive strains 4. Headaches 5. Sports injuries/car accident 6. Arthritic pain (CFS) symptoms are closely related to what chiropractors have to offer, for example (CFS) involves different types of headaches, so it is clear that chiropractors can help us treat (CFS). Acupuncture according to spine health is an old practice, the practice involves treating neck or back pain. This is a Chinese practice which goes back at least 2, 500 years. The belief of this traditional treatment is to make sure that energy flow is constant throughout the body and so eventually it will enhance a person’s wellbeing. Acupuncture can be used to treat (CFS), as mentioned earlier that patients showed signs of improvement when they experimented with new techniques to treat (CFS). According to spine health, massage therapy can be used to treat back pain and back pain is one of the symptoms of (CFS). Massage therapy can help us reduce (CFS) and like other practices massage therapy also has its benefits, some of the benefits are listed below. 1. Improvement in blood circulation 2. Relaxed muscles ( Good for Insomnia, Chronic Pain) 3. Increased levels of endorphins Although the key cause of chronic fatigue is ambiguous, such therapies as massage, acupuncture and /or chiropractic therapy are known to offer immense relief from pain to the patients suffering from it. Emedicine states that people suffering from (CFS) recover within 5 years. Lupus: Meaning & Definition: Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body include skin, joints, and organs inside the body. If affected by lupus there is something wrong with your immune system which repulses viruses, bacteria, and germs in your body. Lupus is an unpredictable and potentially fatal autoimmune disease in which the immune system is out of balance, causing inflammation and tissue damage to any organ system in the body. The health effects of lupus include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and organ failure. Types of Lupus There are four types of lupus, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus, Drug-induced Lupus Erythematosus and Neonatal Lupus. 1. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Systemic lupus is the most common form of lupus and it affects multiple organs of body. According to Meacock, the majority (90 %) of people with SLE are women, mostly of childbearing age, and miscarriages are a recurrent complication of the disease 2. Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus This type of lupus is limited to the skin it also can come along with SLE.. Although cutaneous lupus can cause many types of rashes can be caused by the Cutaneous Lupus, the most common is discoid rash which is raised, scaly and red, but not itchy. Areas of rash appear like disks, or circles. (Lupus Foundation of America) 3. Drug-induced Lupus Erythematosus This kind of lupus is caused by certain prescription drugs. Drug-induced Lupus rarely affects major organs. 4.Neonatal Lupus . It is a rare condition that affects babies that are born to women who have lupus. Causes, symptoms & incidence: According to “Benlysta approved for lupus”, Symptoms of lupus commonly include joint pain and swelling, sensitivity to light, fever, chest pain, hair loss and fatigue. Lupus can also damages the skin, kidneys, lungs, heart and brain. The article also reported that as many as 1.5 million people in the United States have the disease estimated widely and black women have a three times higher incidence of the disease than Caucasian women. Lupus is generally believed to be caused by alterations in the immune system. The immune system may fail to recognize "self" substances and will make antibodies that attack the bodys own tissue which is called autoimmunity. Lupus can also be caused by other factors. There are many factors that are involved in the development of the disease, including heredity and environmental factors and muscle cramps. It is generally acknowledged that sunlight can also cause symptoms to flare up. Other triggers include viral infections, the stress of illness, sometimes pregnancy, and certain medications. (Lupus) Muscle cramps can also cause lupus. According to Matsumoto, “Muscle cramps can also accompany diseases of the endocrine system, such as diabetes and osteoarthritis, or rheumatic diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.” Treatment Treating Lupus is still a challenging now. Drugs are the most commonly used which shut down the bodys natural defenses and that can provide some relief to patients used (Tesoriero). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration or “FDA” has approved only a few specifically for lupus, which include: Corticosteroids; Antimalarials, such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®) and chloroquine; the monoclonal antibody belimumab (Benlysta®); Aspirin. (Lupus Foundation of America). Tesoriero also said, significant side effects often will occur by taking drugs, including an impaired immune system, opening patients up to infections, and weight gain, which prompts other problems. There are also some healthy ways that will be helpful to treat lupus. First is to get plenty of rest and relaxation; second one is to learn stress management methods (“body and health”). Lupus & massage & Reiki Stress is affecting contemporary people’s health. According to Lettus, serious health conditions, like lupus, heart disease, hypertension, chronic pain, anxiety and type 2 diabetes can be linked to stress. He also believed that to reduce stress, for many people, can quite literally be a matter of life and death. Relaxation and stress reduction are playing an essential role on people’s health. The benefits of relaxation and stress reduction are now widely accepted. Masssage, reiki, relaxation--deep breathing, yoga, Tai Chi, physical exercise, diet and other techniques can be used to reduce stress and improve relaxation (Lettus). Cost The direct cost for patients on lupus was calculated by the studies identified vary widely, ranging from US$2,214 to US$16,875 (when converted to year 2010 US dollars. (Meacock, Dale & Harrison, 2013) Massage Therapy: Massage therapy, is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body(TheFreeDictionary).In short word, it just means doing sort of adjustment of your body. It is also a good way to help the fibromyalgia. The earliest written records of massage therapy were discovered in Egypt and China and The oldest written record of massage is approximately 4000 years old in china. This therapy is one of the oldest methods that still in practice, this particular therapy helps to encourage circulation in the muscles that could increase the flow of nutrients and eliminates waste product.Also, it can also reduce the heart rate, relax muscles and improve range of motion in joints etc. Most importantly, massage therapy helps increase the quality of sleep. The main symptom of fibromyalgia is woke up feeling tired even you get enough sleep. After process this massage, the patient will get better sleep and feel less pain during the day.(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2014)The survey shows that over one thousand of fibromyalgia patients think using massage therapy to overcome the pain of fibromyalgia is better than other non-drug therapies (Fibromyalgia Network Journal July 2004). There are many different type of massage, one is called circulatory which can release the muscle pain and remove the pressure and nervous. Shiatsu massage is focus on pressure points in fingers and knuckles etc. It is the most efficient way for fibrimyalgia patients because it does not contact with the painful part of the muscles directly (Massage therapy and fibromyalgia). After compare 3 different massage inc., massage work, RMTAO and connections wellness studio, the average price of regular massage is around $85, but if for some special needs, the price is around $100. For example, the connections wellness studio company provide plenty different massage. There two 2 typical massage, one is 60 Minute Deep Tissue/Sports Massage which is regular massage and another is called Therapeutic Heated Stone Sports Massage. Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological well-being. It is sometimes used in combination with massage and other therapeutic techniques as part of a holistic treatment approach(TheFreeDictionary). The term Aromatherapy is not used until 20 century, but the discovery of this therapy should trace back to thousands ago in China. The Chinese is consider to be the first country used aromatic, but their purpose is to help creating harmony and balance instead for medication. In the later century, people found that the first distillation equipment, and created oils infused with herbs are Egyptians. Similar to massage, the purpose of aromatherapy is to reduce the pain of fibromyalgia and relax the body. This particular therapy often depend on essential oils which fresh the mind, body and the spirit with pleasant smell. The oils are produced through distillation, expression, or solvent extraction of the plants or their parts.Each of those plants have different functions including physiological, psychological or therapeutic. There are many options of the smell, such as rose lemon or sandalwood. For example, to cure muscle pain, Basil, eucalyptus, ginger, litsea cubeb, black pepper can be used. And lavender, marjoram, rose can be used for insomnia. Aromatherapy is believed to work by stimulating our sense of smell. Humans are capable of detecting over 10,000 different scents, and every scent causes our body to respond in a slightly different way. When we inhale scents, 15% of this inhaled air goes straight to our brain. It specifically affects the limbic system in our brain, which is responsible for controlling mood and emotions. Once activated by the scent, the limbic system releases hormones, causing us to experience a certain mood or emotion. Buying essential oil is not expensive, it’s just around $15,but usually this therapy is used with massage. In conclusion, massage is the best choice for healing fibromyalgia. Though the price compare to Aromatherapy is much expensive but the result is better. Aromatherapy can only help to relax more than cure the fibromyalgia. References Acupuncture and Acupressure (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fibromyalgia- symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_acupuncture.html Acupuncture Cost (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.acupuncturecost.org Annemans, L., Le Lay, K., & Taïeb, C. (2009, July). Societal and patient burden of fibromyalgia syndrome. PharmacoEconomics, 27(7), 547-59. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2165/11313650- 000000000-00000 Benlysta approved for lupus. (2011, 03). U.S.News & World Report, , 1. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/863434431?accountid=13908 Body and Health. Retrieved from http://bodyandhealth.canada.com/condition_info_details.asp?channel_id=0&relation_id=0&disease_id=83&page_no=2#Treatment) David, P.M., Christopher, D.S., Brent, A.W., & Ines, H.B. (2006, June). Improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms with acupuncture: results of a randomized controlled trial. Mayo Clin Proc.. 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Quick Cures/Quack cures: Mystery muscle cramps. Wall Street Journal (Online) Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1346672286?accountid=13908 Meacock, R., Dale, N., & Harrison, M. J. (2013). The humanistic and economic burden of systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review. PharmacoEconomics, 31(1), 49-61. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1462411080?accountid=139080 Skaer, T. (2014). Fibromyalgia: Disease synopsis, medication cost effectiveness and economic burden. Pharmacoeconomics, 32(5), 457-466. doi:10.1007/s40273-014-0137-y Tesoriero, H. W. (2007, Jan 23). Drugs in testing show promise for lupus; new treatments target disease, not just symptoms; first big advances in 50 years. Wall Street Journal Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/399004372?accountid=13908 White, A., & Ernst, E. (2004). A brief history of acupuncture. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keg005 Retrieved from http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/43/5/662.full.pdf Primary sources: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/chronic_fatigue_syndrome/page8_em.htm http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/235980-overview http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-treatments-lower-back-pain http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/alternative-care/acupuncture-ancient-treatment-a-current-problem http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/massage-therapy/massage-therapy-lower-back-pain http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/massage+therapy https://www.facebook.com/notes/fibromyalgia-network/massage-therapy-for-fibromyalgia-does-it-help-your-fibro/139216276102410 http://www.massageenvy.com/benefits-of-massage-therapy/manage-pain-of-chronic-conditions/fibromyalgia.aspx http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-news/press-releases/844-massage-therapy-and-fibromyalgia.html http://www.massageworks.com/pricelist.asp http://www.therapypemberton.com/registered-massage-therapy/rmt-price-list/ http://www.rmtao.com/massage_therapy/your_massage_dollars http://www.naturalhealers.com/natural-health-careers/article/massage-therapy-history http://itandb.com/history.htm http://www.everydayhealth.com/alternative-health/aromatherapy.aspx http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Aromatherapy http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/aromatherapy/history-of-aromatherapy.htm http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/history.asp http://www.edenbotanicals.com/aromatherapy-a-brief-history http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_aromatherapy.html http://www.westcoastaromatherapy.com/free-information/articles-archive/fibromyalgia-aromatherapy/ http://www.cure-fibromyalgia.com/id10.html Exhibit 1 Patients General Cost for Acupuncture Therapy (Canadian Dollars)   General Cost Initial or One-Time Visit $75 - $125 Routine Visits $50 - $75 per visit Preventative Treatments $50 - $90 per treatment Source: Acupuncturecost.org Read More