All symptoms in the world

I have read those listings of fibromyalgia symptoms. Some of them include every possible symptom there is among mankind. It feels as if they have been composed by putting 200 fibromites together and asking each one of them list all symptoms they have, regardless of the symptoms' connection to anything, and then putting together everything they have written down, and telling the Internet society, "These are the fibromyalgia symptoms". They may then include fibromyalgia symptoms - the real ones - and breast cancer symptoms, and measles symptoms, or whatever. Some caution must be maintained when studying these lists.

On the other hand, those things that are presented as possibly helpful in reducing the gray substance loss and the excess of dopamine - like black or green tea, dark chokolate, bluelerries etc - are good to have anyway and at least I like them, perhaps instinctively (?) - so by all means, having them does no harm.

NEWS LINKS ABOUT LOW DOPAMINE - GRAY MATTER - FIBROMYALGIA CONNECTION

... AND WHAT TO DO TO IT:

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/whatisfibromyalgia/a/fibrosymptoms
(UPDATE UNDER CONSTRUCTION:) http://chronicfatigue.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=chronicfatigue&cdn=health&tm=41&f=00&su=p736.8.336.ip_&tt=2&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.sover.net/~devstar/phsympt.htm

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/treatingfmscfs/a/dopamine.htm

Brain Imaging Study Sheds Light on Fibromyalgia

Brain Imaging Study Sheds Light on Fibromyalgia

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Swollwn, achy, sore

I am terribly swollen today. Capillars on feet break because of that swollenness, looks awful. Have tried to rest and keep feet up, don't know if it helps but at least I know it is BORING! Put on fly socks, was a bit surprised when it was possible anyway, considering how swollen my feet are. Hope they will squeeze all the fluids out! I mistype terribly too. And it is the most beautiful sunny day out-doors, and I am on holiday... Today I feel really miserable. Blah!

Arabic bread

Was looking for a receipe for arabic bread. Found one, actually. It is now in Finnish on my receipe blog Reseptejä ruuanlaittoon ja leivontaan. Did not count all the minutes but it will takes ages to bake.

Sweet relief: Woman sings praises of chocolate’s health benefits

By Vicki Martinka

GateHouse News Service

Posted Jun 17, 2009 @ 03:00 PM

---

For Cathy Bouchard of Naperville, Ill., eating an ounce of dark chocolate every day isn’t merely a treat in her diet; it’s a lifesaver.

“I’m not a doctor. I’m not a nutritionist. All I do is tell my story. I have been cured by chocolate,” she told an audience earlier this year during a session of her lecture, “The Bittersweet History of Chocolate."

Her journey with chocolate began about five years ago after she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The pain kept her from leaving the house to go to work or to the grocery store. So Bouchard spent her time exploring life through reading about places like Egypt and China, which led her to the Myan culture.

“I read their contribution was cultivation of cacao, which we know as chocolate,” she said. “It’s always been used for health issues.”

After reading about chocolate’s health benefits, Bouchard decided to search for cacao to try it for herself. It took her more than two months to find a candy bar made with 70 percent cacao. She ate 1 ounce of the dark chocolate every day. She decided to see what would happen after four to six weeks of eating the chocolate since her doctor always told her it takes that long for a new medication to work.

One night, with a piece of chocolate in one hand and a book in the other, Bouchard was reading about chocolate being used as a muscle relaxant. At that moment, Bouchard said she realized she hadn’t been in pain for awhile.

“I thought, could this piece of chocolate be working,” she said. But it did because, she said, “After six weeks, I was totally pain free.”

Soon after, Bouchard was back to work and back to grocery shopping.

Today, Bouchard owns Le Choclat Bar in Naperville; she plans to open another store soon. She shares her story with customers who also have found dark chocolate to relive other ailments, such as headaches.

But Bouchard is quick to point out not any old piece of chocolate will work. A milk chocolate candy bar has only 8 percent cacao while a quality chocolate bar has 40 percent cacao.

“Enjoy your chocolate, but watch your labels. Dark chocolate has no milk in it. Dark chocolate has cacao, sugar and vanilla,” she said.

Although she is not aware of any clinical studies yet about dark chocolate’s effect on fibromyalgia or headaches, Cathy Cabanban, clinical dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, Ill., said there are health benefits to consuming 1 ounce of dark chocolate every day.

“Most of the studies are with people with high blood pressure and cholesterol,” Cabanban said. She added if people with mild blood pressure add dark chocolate to their diet, it can lower their blood pressure.

While dark chocolate does have beneficial compounds, such as flavenoyds, Cabanban points out other foods contain flavenoyds as well, such as wine, apples and tea. If someone wants to add 1 ounce of dark chocolate made with 70 percent cacao, Cabanban will suggest substituting the dark chocolate for another junk food so as not to add extra calories to their diet.

“I often recommend if people want to use dark chocolate ... to make homemade hot chocolate,” Cabanban said, adding the drink has less fat and calories than a chocolate bar.

Suburban Life Publications

Finland Closes Shop for Midsummer published today 12:27 PM

Finland Closes Shop for Midsummer

published today 12:27 PM

Image: Rinna Härkönen

Saturday June 20 is Midsummer's Day, known in Finnish as Juhannus (St John's Day). One of the biggest celebrations of the year, it brings most of the nation's business and services to a halt, beginning on Friday around midday.

Traditionally celebrated with food, drink, song, saunas and bonfires, Midsummer is the only holiday when the Finnish flag flies around the clock, from 6 pm Friday till 9 pm Saturday. The holiday is celebrated on the weekend closest to the actual Summer Solstice, which this year happens to fall on Sunday.

Shops:

Retail stores may remain open on Friday, Midsummer's Eve, until 1 pm. They are closed on Saturday. On Sunday shops may open from 12 noon to 9 pm.

Kiosks, petrol stations, small shops in rural areas and those under Helsinki's main railway station can set their own hours, so some may be open on Saturday.

Alko:

State alcoholic beverage outlets are open on Friday until 1 pm; closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Post offices:

Post offices close on Thursday by 6 pm. They re-open on Monday June 22.

Some other businesses, such as shops and filling stations, may offer postal services according to their own opening hours.

Banks:

Banks are open normally on Thursday, but then closed until Monday.

Rail service:

VR trains operate on special holiday schedules. Many normal departures are cancelled on Friday and Saturday.

Most run on regular timetables on Thursday. On Friday they generally operate according to Saturday schedules. On Saturday and Sunday they follow Sunday timetables. However there are many exceptions.

For instance, all day trains between Seinäjoki and Kokkola in western Finland are cancelled due to track work. Most will be replaced by buses. Some overnight express trains are also cancelled.

Local train transport:

Midsummer does not bring major changes to VR's local train services. Friday's trains run on Saturday schedules; Saturday and Sunday on Sunday timetables.

Long-distance bus services:

On Thursday, coaches run on regular schedules, with the addition of some extra Friday departures. On Midsummer's Eve, they drive according to Saturday timetables, with limited departures after 2 pm. There is restricted traffic on Midsummer's Day. On June 21 it reverts to the usual Sunday schedules. However some early morning departures are cancelled.

Highway and maritime help:

The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland offers emergency road help around the clock. The hotline number is 0200-8080 (toll call).

The Finnish Lifeboat Institution offers emergency help at sea. Their hotline is 0204 1000. Those in trouble on inland waters (or on land) should call the regular emergency number, 112.

YLE

Seven types of fibromyalgia pain

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/whatisfibromyalgia/a/fibromyalgiapain.htm

There are several types of fibromyalgia pain. This writer lists seven of them.

Chilly, rainy Midsummer festival predicted in Finalnd

Meteorologists Predict Chilly, Rainy Midsummer

The holiday weekend weather is expected to be cooler and rainier than usual. While the sun may occasionally peek through the clouds, rain is expected to pour down in the entire country from Friday through Sunday.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute says temperatures over Midsummer will range from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius.

The mercury will fall to around ten degrees at night.

Showers and can be expected all over the country. Some areas will even see thundershowers.

Because I am a girl

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWa9jmv3u90&feature=channel_page

Because I am a girl is a campaign that aims to transform the lives of the world's poorest girls.

The Fibromyalgia Controversy

The Fibromyalgia Controversy

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