Author: PPHA-Admin

Is there a connection between Fibromyalgia and thyroid conditions? The latest research shows that there definitely might be, specifically if you suffer from hypothyroidism such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. There might also be a genetic or hereditary component to both these health issues, and we have an Ancestry.com coupon code that can help you trace your family history. We’ll talk about some of the research, some of the risk factors, and steps that you can take to help mitigate symptoms.

What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and what is Fibromyalgia?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is also sometimes referred to simply as Hashimoto’s disease, or the medical name is chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disorder where your body will actually attack and eventually destroy it’s own thyroid, which causes hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid does not function at a high enough level, so you will need to take medication. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common hypothyroid condition affecting adults in the United States.

Fibromyalgia is still not well understood, both in terms of what causes it and what it is exactly. Currently it is not classified as an autoimmune disorder, although that could change with the mounting evidence of it’s links to various ones. Both fibromyalgia and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis have several symptoms in common, such as fatigue, pain in the body, depression and/or anxiety, as well as ‘brain fog’ or cognitive issues. Both diseases are also more likely to occur in women than men, specifically those of child bearing age.

Okay, so why the Ancestry.com coupon code?

While the causes of Fibromyalgia are still unclear, there does seem to be a strong correlation between those who suffer from hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia. We do know that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis tends to run in families, so there is likely a genetic or hereditary component to your odds of developing the disease. Some argue that this may be more of a nature vs. nurture situation, as things like lifestyle, nutrition, and trauma are also possibly contributing factors to developing a thyroid condition as well. People who grew up in a lower-income family may not have had as much access to recreational opportunities, high quality nutrition, and may have been exposed to more traumatic events at a young age. They are also more likely to stay in a lower income bracket and have their children grow up in a similar environment.

However, we feel there is enough evidence behind the hereditary evidence that it warrants being used as an indicator if you are at risk for developing something like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and therefore fibromyalgia. If you are unsure of your family history, you can use a tool like Ancestry.com to research it. A lot of people think of the service as more for entertainment value, but it can give you clues into potential health issues you should be aware of and possibly take steps to mitigate. And since we believe in good value as well as good health, make sure that you use a coupon code when signing up for the service to save yourself up to 30%.

How to treat Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Fibromyalgia

Neither disease is fatal on their own, but they are certainly not comfortable to live with. Aside from the chronic pain associated with both, the chronic fatigue and feeling like you never get restful sleep can be very mentally taxing which is likely why you see anxiety and/or depression frequently as a symptom of both. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and fibromyalgia won’t kill you, but they certainly aren’t a lot of fun to live with untreated.

If you have Hashimoto’s you should definitely work with a doctor on medication to supplement your body’s low thyroid gland production. In fact most doctors won’t diagnose fibromyalgia until this step has been taken, to rule out it just being particularly severe Hashimoto’s symptoms due to a low functioning thyroid.

There is the saying of ‘let your food be your medicine’ and I think that the next step in addressing any disease after medication should be rooting out any dietary issues. For both Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and fibromyalgia you will want to follow an anti-inflammatory diet to try and reduce flare ups. That means reducing your intake of sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and refined oils and grains. Basically, you should try to limit your intake of ‘junk food’ and other highly processed items. Instead you will want to focus on eating whole foods and doing a lot of cooking at home. That means lots of leafy green vegetables, fruits & berries, animal products in moderation, and don’t forget spices. Anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and cumin in particular can be really helpful.

Exercise can also be very helpful for both conditions. One of the common side-effects of Hashimoto’s is weight gain due to the sluggish thyroid gland, and regular exercise can be very helpful in combating that. Getting regular movement, especially outdoors, can also be very mood boosting which helps if you are feeling the depressive or anxiety-related effects that are common with both hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia. It can be difficult to start regular exercise if you are feeling the chronic fatigue that comes with both conditions but try to make it a habit and soon the positive effect exercise has had on your health will be all the motivation that you need.

Did you know that your genetic makeup can indicate if you’re pre-disposed to certain health conditions? We’ve known for a while that certain ethnic groups seem to have a higher (or lower) rate of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and host of other health issues.

Use an Ancestry.com coupon to save on their services

At home DNA kits came on the market a few years ago and most people use them just to satisfy a sense of personal curiosity. However, a DNA test could give you important information about potential health risks you might face down the road. And with an Ancestry.com coupon you can take the test for less. If you know what health issues you might face down the road, then you can take pro-active steps now to mitigate your risk. At full price the tests can be a little pricey, but if you use a promo code it can significantly reduce your cost. Besides that health is wealth, you really can’t put a price on being able to live a long and healthy life.

Heart Disease in those of African Descent

There are a whole host of other socioeconomic factors that can play into ones risk of developing heart disease. As they say your zip code is a better indicator or your risk of heart disease than your genetic code, because those in more affluent areas tend to have better access to healthy food, quality health care, and spaces for exercise. However, even when adjusted for socioeconomic factors there does seem to a higher risk for people of African heritage in developing heart disease. Researchers think this may be due to the fact that they are more sensitive to salt, which is of benefit in a hot and dry climate. However it also leads to increased blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease. For people with African heritage, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet that is low in sodium.

Ashkenazi Jews and Colorectal Cancer

On a global scale, Ashkenazi Jews (those from Eastern Europe) are the ethnic group at the highest risk of developing colorectal cancer. Researchers believe that this is due to a mutation of the APC gene. Approximately 6% of the Ashkenazi Jew population have this variation. It may not seem like a large percentage, but 6% of ten million is 600,000. As far as we know there is no sure-fire way to prevent colorectal cancer, aside from generally keeping in good health by eating well, getting regular exercise, not smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption. The best defense by far is regular screenings and early treatment, especially for those who are descendants of Ashkenazi Jews.

Diabetes in Hispanic and Latino Populations

Research shows that you may be at a higher risk of developing diabetes if your background is Hispanic or Latino. It is believed that as much as 10.4% of the adult Hispanic and Latino populations have diabetes. Specifically they seem to be genetically pre-disposed to developing Type II diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes as symptoms typically don’t surface until you are older. Again there is no 100% effective way to prevent diabetes, but the usual advice of following a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise applies here as well. Smokers are also more likely to develop diabetes and suffer more serious complications from it, so quitting can lower your risk as well. Interestingly, although Hispanics and Latinos are at a higher risk for diabetes, they don’t seem to develop heart disease as much as other ethnic groups even though the root causes for both diseases are largely the same.

Atrial Fibrillation in Caucasians

Atrial Fibrillation is the medical term for having an irregular heartbeat, and research has shown that it is most common in Caucasian populations. In Caucasians over the age of 40, there is a whopping 26% chance of developing cardiac arrhythmia and it does not seem to be related to other risk factors such as high blood pressure which suggests there is a genetic reason for it. Atrial fibrillation itself is rarely deadly and many people who get diagnosed go on to live long lives. However it does open you up to an increased risk for strokes which can have very serious negative impacts on your health. As for how to prevent this disease, again the causes are largely unclear although it is much more common in adults over 50, and men are twice as likely to develop it. As far as we know keeping your heart generally healthy through regular moderate exercise such as walking is your best bet in keeping A-Fib at bay.

Know ahead of time, use an Ancestry.com coupon

As we can see from above, the best risk prevention across the board is following a healthy lifestyle. However if you know that you may be genetically pre-disposed to certain diseases you can make sure to schedule regular screenings and catch any problems early on should they develop. Use the Ancestry.com coupon linked above, and get your DNA test today.

Finding the right resources for your special needs child can be a tough and confusing process. That’s why the state of Florida has partnered with the Better Support Service to offer healthcare assistance to parents, guardians, and caretakers of children with psychological health disorders. Parents of children with cognitive disorders such as Autism, ADHD, and ADD may be eligible to qualify for Florida Medicaid’s assistance program, which offers Behavior Analysis services to special needs families at reduced costs.

What is Behavioral Analysis?

The Behavior Analysis (BA) program is designed to help parents and guardians reduce unwanted behavior, like tantrums and outbursts, while affirming healthy activity and promoting effective communication. Using behavioral therapy techniques, the Behavior Analysis program specializes in improving social, behavioral, and adaptive proficiencies, which may be severely lacking in children with cognitive disorders.

The Behavior Analysis program takes a scientific approach to therapy, using rewards and consequences to reinforce acceptable behavior, reduce unacceptable behavior, and encourage the development of new skills. By setting concrete goals and exposing special needs children to constructive therapy environments, Behavior Analysis has been shown to dramatically improve learning ability, conversational attentiveness, and social interaction among recipients. To ensure quality of care, all Behavior Analysis analysts are required to be certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

How can I start receiving these benefits?

To deliver respectful, discrete, and therapeutic healthcare solutions, Better Support Service employs highly trained and certified behavioral health professionals. As a licensed and qualified provider with a history of providing excellent care, Better Support Service is able to efficiently link families with the resources and benefits they need.

Behavior Analysis services are now available to all qualified recipients of Florida Medicaid who are 21 years of age and younger. To apply for the program and start receiving assistance, parents and guardians should contact the Better Support Service, whose professionals can walk you through the application and documentation process. As a qualified provider, the Better Support Service has the resources and connections necessary to approve your request and begin providing behavioral resources as soon as possible.

To gain access and begin receiving your Medicaid sponsored benefits and assistance, parents and guardians of children with cognitive disorders should complete the following steps:

• Step 1: Visit your doctor to obtain a written order for Behavior Analysis services
• Step 2: Contact the Better Support Service about receiving resources and assistance
• Step 3: Submit the required documents to the Better Support Service team
• Step 4: Work with Better Support Service to receive your benefits and improve your child’s behavior through therapy

Who should I contact?

The team at Better Support Service is passionate about making health care easy and hassle free for parents. To get in touch with Better Support Service, learn more about the Behavior Analysis program, and find out what benefits you may be eligible to receive, you can contact us at (786)-534-7172. Take the next step to receiving your benefits and contact us today!