Athena Champneys, 37, has been in near-constant pain since 2003, when she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and tenderness. Her husband hasn’t always been 100% sympathetic, however.
“I was in so much pain that I couldn’t bend over to put on my own shoes or socks,” recalls Champneys, who [...]

FRIDAY, Sept. 25, 2009 (Health.com) — People with fibromyalgia seem to have more neurological abnormalities than those without the chronic pain condition, according to a new study.
The new research may shed light on fibromyalgia, a condition that is characterized by chronic widespread pain.
However, lead author Nathaniel Watson, MD, emphasizes that the findings are preliminary [...]

In 2007, Pfizer’s Lyrica became the first prescription medication approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Since then, two more drugs—Cymbalta and Savella—have joined its ranks, expanding the options to treat this painful chronic condition.
But because so much is still unknown about what causes fibromyalgia, there is no go-to treatment. In fact, typically only “35% [...]

Everyone experiences pain occasionally, whether it’s a headache, muscle stiffness, or an upset stomach. Some people, such as migraine sufferers or those with irritable bowel syndrome, have to deal with pain and discomfort on a more frequent basis. And then there are people with fibromyalgia—a chronic pain syndrome whose daily, sometimes debilitating symptoms overlap with [...]

Could it be something you ate? Not enough sleep? Want to know what could be causing your headache? Our comprehensive list just might help you out.
1. Your weightIn a recent study, researchers found that women with mild obesity (a body mass index of 30) had a 35 percent greater risk of headaches than those with [...]

A variety of drugs have been used to help treat headache pain. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen all are NSAIDs, which work by blocking natural enzymes and proteins that contribute to pain and swelling. And prescription triptans, including Imitrex, act on the neurochemicals that cause pain. But experts say there are other options.
Alternative remedies:Biofeedback: This form [...]

This article was first published in Health magazine, May 2009.
From eyestrain-induced headaches to memory loss, our resident headache expert, Christina Peterson, MD, author, The Women’s Migraine Survival Guide, and founder of the Oregon Headache Clinic, weighs in.
Q:
I get a killer migraine every time I have my period. It must be hormones, right?
A:
For most women, hormone-related [...]

Got a headache? No wonder. A recent survey by the National Headache Foundation showed that the tough financial times are hiking anxiety and wrecking sleep for many of us, triggering even more headache pain.
Sadly, we can’t do much about Wall Street. We can help with that headache, though—whether it’s a throbbing in your temples after [...]

Suzy Koelker had been in pain for two weeks before she got help for her headache. “I’d always had a lot of headaches,” the Dubuque, Iowa, woman recalls. “But this one was intense, like a pulsing pain across my temples.”
She tried over-the-counter painkillers with no relief. And no wonder: When she finally went to an [...]

Think you know what really triggers that debilitating pain in your head? This simple test reveals why you might be wrong…and how getting it right can make your migraines much more manageable.

To use this Survey function, your browser must support frames.

[...]