Can Moderate Consumption of Alcohol Reduce Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

Fibromyalgia syndrome, popularly referred to as FMS is a severe chronic condition whose symptoms includes intense widespread musculoskeletal pain, depression, body fatigue, headaches, bowel and bladder problems. Other symptoms such as poor sleep, painful menstrual periods, arthritis, anemia, stiffness and restless leg syndrome have also been associated with this ailment.

Fibromyalgia has been linked with brain and nerve interaction issues, it is believed to occur as a consequence of an incorrect way in which the brain processes and disseminates pain signals. Similarly, the condition has also been linked with certain nutrients, alcohol consumption and food additives. As of now, there are reasonable amount of researches that have made progress in the study of the causes, symptoms and even a  cure of fibromyalgia, but still, no real cause has been pinpointed for the condition. Irrespective of the cause, one thing that is common to anyone suffering from fibromyalgia is the pain.

The pain may come in different ways and affect different areas, but generally it is a widespread feeling. FMS pain is also constant and has been described as chronic as fibromyalgia scourges its victims every now and then even when they have not partaken in any form of strenuous activity that can hurt the body. The symptoms are quite contrasting from acute pain, which is felt immediately as a nerve ending is hurt by something. Imagine simply waking up in intense pain, moving around and doing day-to-day activities while experiencing instant pain in specific areas of the body; this is how fibromyalgia differs from the everyday tiredness that is usually strain or stress-related.

Alcohol consumption in high volume has been associated with worsened symptoms of fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that low to moderate consumption of alcohol and excitotoxins result in reduced intensity of clinical pain, better sleep in FMS victims and greater hippocampal volume. Another research published in behavioral sleep medicine also notes that patients suffering from FMS often report sleep disruption and fatigue. Over 75 percent of victims with FMS symptoms also have chronic insomnia that is linked with high intensity and sensitivity to pain. All of these symptoms are largely connected to the hippocampus, which is a ground area for pain and stimulus.

Causes

While there has been no conclusion and scientifically-pinpointed cause of FMS, a lot of researches have noted that the syndrome may be due to some of these reasons:

• Inability of body tissues to produce energy: Fibromyalgia has been attributed to the metabolic shutdown of cells, leading to muscle pain and symptoms of intense fatigue.

• Nervous system irregularities: This associates Fibromyalgia with some congenital malformations in thr brain which leads to disruption of the blood and brain barrier, this consequently changes how to body responsds to pain, and the symptoms may be triggered by minor ailments, stress, viruses, drugs and nutritional deficiencies.

• Malnutrition: Nutritional deficiencies or toxicity can trigger pain. This is particular in the cases of Vitamins B, C and Iron deficiencies. Higher levels of oxidative stress can also play a role in Fibromyalgia. Overconsumption of refined carbohydrates and excessive levels of yeast in the gut may also be devastating and lead to FMS.

• PTSD (Post trauma stress disorder):There is a higher occurrence of fibromyalgia in Children or Adults with a history of distress at earlier stages in life. This may be mental or physical abuses. The trauma has been suggested to have an effect, causing the endocrine to have abnormalities that can change the inflammatory system.

• Locality/Region: Fibromyalgia has also been associate with more regions than others. The condition is highest in America, while China has very little cases of the disorder. The theory behind this is based on the fact that different people are exposed to numerous sociocultural norms, genetic and phenotypic differences that may be affected by the environment.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

• Increased pain and hurt sensitivity
• Abnormal fatigue
• Muscle Stiffening
• Chronic Insomnia
• Memory challenges (Fibro-fog)
• Headaches and Migraines
• Bloating and Irritable bowel syndrome

Alcohol and FMS

Alcohol is a highly sensitive issue in the area of fibromyalgia for a number of reasons, with the chief concern having to do with the its extensive interaction with the neurotransmission systems; some of the key methods that have connected the alcohol-FMS functions have emphasized the inhibition of the gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) receptors and the n-methyl d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Patients currently suffering from FMS have shown higher levels of excitatory amino acids that work in line with the NMDA receptors that have been associated with hyperalgesia and allodynia.

Hyperalgesia and Allodynia are two extremely sensitive phenomena in FMS as the former encompasses increased sensitivity to pain that intensifies the symptoms of FMS, while the latter deals with an unwarranted pain response from a stimulus that will usually not provoke painful sensation.

The alcohol effect in the functioning and stimulation of the GABA receptors have therefore been researched to infer that the inhibition of GABA and NMDA receptors will ultimately reduce anxiety and promote sleep. A culmination of these researches has led to a strong hypothesis that reduced consumption of alcohol and excititoxins can be very instrumental in reducing the painful symptoms of FMS.

A research study carried out at the University of Florida investigated alcohol intake in relation to the symptoms of FMS and chronic insomnia. Patients with and without chronic insomnia were used for the study which applied an MRI to evaluate the differences in the hippocampus of patients and the influence of alcohol on other pain and insomnia-related health challenges. The study concluded that moderate drinkers and people with subdued or reduced alcohol consumption experienced less severe pains and had better sleep quality compared to high and heavy drinkers. Furthermore, alcohol is said to have high influence on other pain-causing ailments on many levels apart from the hippocampus.

As a general rule, alcohol consumption, lifestyle changes and dietary adjustments are recommended to reduce the painful symptoms of FMS. Patients are also advised to reduce several types of strenuous physical activities and stressful jobs in order to improve sleeping habits, significantly to tone down the extent of physical toll and aftermath of pain.