The Facts on Fibromyalgia

Muscular pain, tingling, burning, and deadness are base symptoms of a repetitive strain injury. However, these symptoms are also base in a condition called Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia basically means pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It affects mostly women and up to 4% of the normal population.

The pain of fibromyalgia occurs in areas where the muscles attach to bone or ligaments and is similar to the pain of arthritis. The joints themselves are not affected, however, so they are not deformed nor do they deteriorate as they may in arthritic conditions. The pain typically originates in one area, usually the neck and shoulders, and then radiates out. Most patients narrative feeling some pain all the time; and many communicate it as "exhausting." The pain can vary, depending on the time of day, weather changes, physical activity, and the proximity of stressful situations; it has been described as stiffness, burning, stabbing, sudden, radiating, and aching. The pain is often more intense after disturbed sleep.

Bed Head Curling Iron

The other major complaint is fatigue, which some patients narrative as being more debilitating than the pain. Fatigue and sleep disturbances are, in fact, practically universal in patients with fibromyalgia, due to lack of serotonin, and if these symptoms are not present, then some experts believe that physicians should seek a analysis other than fibromyalgia. Up to a third of patients perceive depression, and disturbances in mood and attention are very common.

Fibromyalgia patients are also prone to tension or throbbing head headaches. Other symptoms contain dizziness, tingling or deadness in the hands and feet, and gastrointestinal problems, along with irritable bowel syndrome with gas and alternating diarrhea and constipation. Some patients complain of urinary frequency caused by bladder spasms. Women may have painful menstrual periods.

Several years ago Fibromyalgia was a disability categorized as "psychological". It's hard to understand how it feels to be told you are mentally having a question when your body will not perform what you are asking it to do. How can that possibly be mental? Patients were, in effect, being told it was "all in your head". Fortunately, the medical field has produced adequate study to re-classify it as a true physical disability that is often paired with studies and treatments for arthritis and rheumatism.

People with Fms have the further stress and dissatisfaction in their lives of trying to justify (all the time) why today they can do practically anything and the next day they can barely get out of bed. Depression is a frequent side-effect of Fms and who can examine it? Living with a body-wide toothache-like pain enduringly is something only fellow sufferers can truly understand. When we have "bad days" the pain can feel like there are hot curling irons jammed into our muscles. Can you even imagine that? Also imagine the fatigue of your muscles being so bad that it feels like they have turned to Jell-O. And no matter how much you try to rehearsal your muscles never feel normal again. It's all the time like battling Jell-O to make your body perform.

Spouses, family and others in your life have a hard time figuring out how you feel when you have Fms or persisting fatigue syndrome. There are times when you were accused of not pulling your own weight, or just plain sand bagging it. Many are accused of wanting extra attention. After a while the Fibromyalgic doesn't like talking about it and they sure don't care for having to make excuses (can't go to a bistro (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), can't go hiking; horseback riding; to the fairgrounds; the park and so on - while Sometimes the Fibromyalgic can't be stopped!). This is why I strongly suggest hold groups where you can feel that you are not alone in this condition.

There is naturally no way for anything to understand what is going on internally with the Fibromyalgic body. Because you look absolutely normal, yet you feel like you will never perform usually again. No one can see what the question is. And since it is not such a known illness such as cancer it does not get the respect that population with cancer would get. No one would examine a cancer outpatient about his or her illness because everyone has heard of it. If you have bad days because of your illness with cancer no one would examine it. But because Fibromyalgia has not been classified as a disease or given notoriety (such as a preeminent someone getting Fms) it is relatively unknown.

As for doctors - it's very, base to end up with a Fm analysis only after all else is ruled out. Many population I've counseled with who have Fms also have now or have once had other problems such as herniated disks, degenerative disk disease, candidly fractured vertebrae or other bones, etc. That is why a Chiropractor is invaluable in treating Fibromyalgia. Fms is Not known to cause these problems or to be caused by these problems. It's just not rare to find such aggregate irregularities. Fms is often brought on (not caused by, but 'triggered' so to speak) by a trauma such as an accident/fall which causes what could be relatively minor physical pain, or major (doesn't absolutely matter); even childbirth can 'trigger' it or any number of other things. One of the biggest factors is population who have had Mono seem to find that this is where their first symptoms start to appear. Any illness that comes on suddenly seems to trigger Fibromyalgia if the someone is genetically inclined toward this syndrome. I absolutely feel syndrome is the wrong word for this condition it truly is a disease either they can detect it medically or not does not matter, this condition is very real. Many people's lives are being enduringly changed because of the effects of fibromyalgia

Most of all - please stop reasoning that one must be in a cast, using crutches or wrapped in bandages to "really be hurting". Just because someone is not in a wheelchair or walker does not mean they are not in improbable pain. Fibromyalagia can even cripple a someone like arthritis or even multiple Sclerosis, its symptoms And the feeling is very much the same! More and more cases are being reported of population who are becoming bedridden, having to use Walkers or wheelchairs due to Fibromyalagia. persisting Fatigue, Depression, persisting Pain/Myofascial Pain Syndrome are frequently found along with the Fms. It can get so bad that being hugged (a breeze!) can be painful! A cat on a lap can feel like bone grinding against bone. Your socks touching your toes can be a horror of pain. Your sheets and blankets touching your toes or legs can be so painful you are unable to sleep. Elastic touching you anywhere is pure hell. imagine having even your clothes touching you your worst pain. It was so bad for one woman in her 30's, with small children (and a husband) that she used Dr. Kevorkian to end her misery.

Here is a brief list of base symptoms of this disease:

o Chronic pain throughout the body
o Burning, deadness and tingling
o Tenderness when pressure is settled on or nearby the neck, elbows, hips, thighs and knees.
o Sleep disorders
o Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
o Depression
o Anxiety
o Facial Pain
o Jaw Pain (Tmj)
o Memory Loss
o Irritable Bowel
o Tension or throbbing head Headaches
o High sensitivity to foods and medications (allergic type reaction).
o Minimal tolerance to heat and cold
o High sensitivity to thoughprovoking lights and sounds
o Hair Loss

Because symptoms build gradually, this disease is often misdiagnosed. It is often diagnosed as a repetitive strain injury; sleep disorder condition, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis or any other type of medical problem. Based on the American College of Rheumatology a someone is diagnosed with Fibromylagia when he or she suffers pain throughout the body for at least three months and has 11 out of 18 tender points present.

Who Is Affected
Experts appraisal that 3 million to 6 million Americans have Fibromyalgia. Of these, 80 percent are women. One of the main risk factors is being a woman between the age of 20 and 50. Someone else risk factor is having a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or Sjogren's syndrome. Fibromyalgia also seems to run in families, so a gene may be at least partly responsible for the condition. Most population with fibromyalgia begin to notice symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40. But children and older adults may build the condition. Women with fibromyalgia typically feel pain throughout their body.

Causes
Experts do not know what causes Fibromyalgia. There are several theories about inherent causes or triggers. Inadequate sleep is a inherent trigger. Someone else is suffering an injury or physical or emotional trauma that affects the brain, spine and nerves. Some experts believe that a viral or bacterial infection plays a part.

Abnormal yield of pain-related chemicals in the nervous principles also contributes to the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. It's opinion that any one of these factors may bring on the symptoms of Fibromyalgia in someone who is already genetically predisposed to the condition.

Treatment includes the following:
o Change in diet and nutrition
o Supplements geared toward Fibromyalagia
o Exercise: polite stretching such as warm water stretches and light aerobic activity, if possible.
o Physical Therapy under the guidance of a Chiropractor or Naturopathic
o Massage Therapy
o Avoidance of activities that over stress the body (Consider holding a journal)
o Regulate sleep patterns
o Avoiding emotional stress

Nutrition is very leading with this condition as with any serious physical condition. Avoid caffeine products, sugar, processed foods and fried foods. Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) is often a factor in causing the someone with Fibromyalgia to feel fatigued. That is why a good food program is very important, eating frequent small meals with some protein is very leading in holding the blood levels even.

Whole grains, seeds, nuts, yogurt, chicken, Turkey, organic beef, eggs, natural cheese and bungalow cheese should form the base of your diet. Accompanied by approved vegetables and a minimum number of fruit.

A good quality multi-vitamin is absolutely valuable with this condition. It's leading to replace what the body loses daily. If a someone takes no other supplement but a multi-vitamin they're helping to hold their body daily. Co Q 10, in soft gel form 100mg, taken three times daily can help growth the energy.

There's no definite cure for Fibromyalagia but there are absolutely many alternative methods that can help you improve the quality of your life. The medical drug Lyrica has been helpful in relieving pain for many population with Fibromyalgia. I still find that natural medicine works best for me.

I find that deep tissue massage therapy performed usually absolutely keeps down the pain. When I'm going straight through a absolutely bad time I all the time get a massage. It works best than any medicine.

Physical therapy that is performed at home is very leading for Fibromyalgia. Warm water stretches performed at least three times weekly can be of sizable help holding the joints and muscles flexible. A Jacuzzi or hot tub is without a doubt one of the best treatments you can do at home, not only does it improve circulation you can also perform warm water stretches in it. If you have passage to one and can use this daily you would see a sizable convert in the body. Using a moist heating pad on areas of pain for 20 minutes can ease the pain.

I also find that chiropractic care can bring sizable relief. I all the time suggest population with Fibromyalgia seek out a Chiropractor who uses the activator method for physical therapy and pain relief. If you would like to find out about a doctor of chiropractic in your area who uses this method go to http://www.activator.com/qualified_doctors.asp

Take a proactive role in learning about fibromyalgia to help control it, and be vigilant about following your medicine plan. Emotional hold is very leading too. Living with fibromyalgia may be difficult if your family, friends or boss do not understand the condition. Seek out supportive family, friends, clergy, hold groups or a reasoning condition counselor.

The Facts on Fibromyalgia