While watching television, numerous advertisements come on concerning fibromyalgia. Just what is fibromyalgia and why all the concern. Fibromyalgia is defined as a syndrome rather than a disease, because it has no specific cause or symptom. Its characteristics include widespread muscle and joint pain and debilitating fatigue. The disorder causes heightened pain all over the body with multiple tender points that are painful to the touch. An individual with this condition suffers physical and psychological distress interfering with daily living. Physicians are unaware of what causes fibromyalgia and have no conclusive tests to identify it, but they are inclined to believe that the basis of the physical pain is brought on by psychological stress. For those who suffer from this painful condition, and there are millions worldwide, conquering fibromyalgia now is essential to their well being.
Signs and Symptoms
For those suffering from fibromyalgia, the symptoms can be many, including debilitating fatigue, sleep disorders, and joint stiffness with numbness and tingling. Other symptoms include irritable bowel, chronic headaches, jaw pain, anxiety and depression. Some feel that their symptoms were brought on by a physical or emotional trauma, while in others there was no triggering event. It is estimated that 2-4% of the population suffers from fibromyalgia and therefore it affects millions of people worldwide. For those who suffer from severe symptoms, conquering fibromyalgia is possible and essential for basic daily activities.
Diagnosing fibromyalgia is difficult because it is a syndrome and not a disease. Physicians use several criteria in their diagnosis, one of which is using pressure on the multiple tender points. There are' different sites that are used in this method, but the cause of pressure points is not known. Many symptoms occur together such as the tender points, anxiety, extreme fatigue widespread pain in muscles and joints. This is the reason fibromyalgia is called a syndrome, because it has no one specific symptom or cause. Because there are no conclusive tests to diagnose fibromyalgia, physicians rely on physical examination and medical history to accurately pinpoint it.
Causes
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known. People who suffer from fibromyalgia find that anxiety, stress, depression and physical exhaustion worsen the pain. Lack of sleep, infections, and even the change in weather, all seem to be contributing factors. Researchers have identified individuals who are at higher risk for developing fibromyalgia. These factors include gender, age, chronic sleep disturbances, family history and rheumatic disease. People who have sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, as well as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus are placed in this high risk category. It can even attack people when there is extreme physical and emotional stress. Conquering fibromyalgia forever is especially crucial for women because they are 10 times more likely than men to develop this condition.
Recommendations
Individuals who are suffering with this disorder are looking for help and want to know if conquering fibromyalgiais possible. They are suffering from fatigue, sleep disturbances, migraines, jaw pain and often psychological distress. Pain management is the first goal a patient is looking for in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Some recommendations to help ease the pain can involve therapy massage or exercise which helps ease pain, muscle tension and spasms. Applying moist heat can benefit stiffness as well. Stress increases the pain over tender points and decreases the ability to cope with pain. Therefore stress management is an important means to control the pain. Using low doses of antidepressant medications is another recommendation in controlling pain. Some individuals find help from deep breathing exercises or relaxation techniques. Treatment recommendations include daily rest, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly and eating healthy foods is important as well.
Who can help?
Those who suffer from this condition do best when they have the support from family, friends, and others who suffer from fibromyalgia. There are many organizations providing classes and access to support groups where help in conquering fibromyalgia is possible and available. Finding this help and getting advice from these groups is something that could not be found anywhere else. It is most gratifying when these individuals know they are not alone in their pain.
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread muscle and joint pain. The cause is unknown and the symptoms are many. Because it is a syndrome, many symptoms occur at the same time, making diagnosis difficult. It is an ongoing disorder looking for a solution. - 30287
Signs and Symptoms
For those suffering from fibromyalgia, the symptoms can be many, including debilitating fatigue, sleep disorders, and joint stiffness with numbness and tingling. Other symptoms include irritable bowel, chronic headaches, jaw pain, anxiety and depression. Some feel that their symptoms were brought on by a physical or emotional trauma, while in others there was no triggering event. It is estimated that 2-4% of the population suffers from fibromyalgia and therefore it affects millions of people worldwide. For those who suffer from severe symptoms, conquering fibromyalgia is possible and essential for basic daily activities.
Diagnosing fibromyalgia is difficult because it is a syndrome and not a disease. Physicians use several criteria in their diagnosis, one of which is using pressure on the multiple tender points. There are' different sites that are used in this method, but the cause of pressure points is not known. Many symptoms occur together such as the tender points, anxiety, extreme fatigue widespread pain in muscles and joints. This is the reason fibromyalgia is called a syndrome, because it has no one specific symptom or cause. Because there are no conclusive tests to diagnose fibromyalgia, physicians rely on physical examination and medical history to accurately pinpoint it.
Causes
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known. People who suffer from fibromyalgia find that anxiety, stress, depression and physical exhaustion worsen the pain. Lack of sleep, infections, and even the change in weather, all seem to be contributing factors. Researchers have identified individuals who are at higher risk for developing fibromyalgia. These factors include gender, age, chronic sleep disturbances, family history and rheumatic disease. People who have sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, as well as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus are placed in this high risk category. It can even attack people when there is extreme physical and emotional stress. Conquering fibromyalgia forever is especially crucial for women because they are 10 times more likely than men to develop this condition.
Recommendations
Individuals who are suffering with this disorder are looking for help and want to know if conquering fibromyalgiais possible. They are suffering from fatigue, sleep disturbances, migraines, jaw pain and often psychological distress. Pain management is the first goal a patient is looking for in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Some recommendations to help ease the pain can involve therapy massage or exercise which helps ease pain, muscle tension and spasms. Applying moist heat can benefit stiffness as well. Stress increases the pain over tender points and decreases the ability to cope with pain. Therefore stress management is an important means to control the pain. Using low doses of antidepressant medications is another recommendation in controlling pain. Some individuals find help from deep breathing exercises or relaxation techniques. Treatment recommendations include daily rest, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly and eating healthy foods is important as well.
Who can help?
Those who suffer from this condition do best when they have the support from family, friends, and others who suffer from fibromyalgia. There are many organizations providing classes and access to support groups where help in conquering fibromyalgia is possible and available. Finding this help and getting advice from these groups is something that could not be found anywhere else. It is most gratifying when these individuals know they are not alone in their pain.
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread muscle and joint pain. The cause is unknown and the symptoms are many. Because it is a syndrome, many symptoms occur at the same time, making diagnosis difficult. It is an ongoing disorder looking for a solution. - 30287
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