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Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread muscle and joint pain, which is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. It is known as a syndrome (a set of symptoms) rather than a disease because it has no specific symptom or cause. It can be symptoms that commonly occur together such as anxiety, depression, debilitating fatigue, widespread pain and low pain threshold. Fibromyalgia was once thought to be purely psychological in nature, but now physicians know that it is a physical reality exacerbated by psychological stress. They do not know what causes the condition and have no tests to identify it. There are multiple tender points on the body where even a slight amount of pressure will cause pain. These sites are used for diagnosis and they are located around the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee and elbow regions. There are millions of people suffering from this painful condition which can lead to depression and social isolation. Conquering fibromyalgia forever is necessary, because of the tremendous impact it has on lives.

What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

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 has been considered a non-disease, and there is no conclusive test to diagnose the disorder. Several criteria are used. Tender points are sites used to apply slight pressure to initiate pain. There are’ different sites used for diagnosis. The cause of the pressure points is not known, but they do cause pain and discomfort. Inflammation seems to be part of the problem, but when tissue has been examined no signs of inflammation have been found. Physicians rely on medical and family history and physical examination to pinpoint fibromyalgia and to make treatment recommendations. The American college of Rheumatology published a study in’90, which is considered the benchmark for the inclusion of fibromyalgia as a known physical disorder. The study involved patients suffering from pain problems that mimicked fibromyalgia. They were able to distinguish fibromyalgia from other chronic pain illnesses with 88% accuracy.

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?

It is very important for individuals suffering from fibromyalgia to know they are supported by family and friends and the numerous others who also suffer from this condition. The American Pain Society endorses hypnosis, acupuncture, and chiropractic manipulation for pain relief. It is reassuring knowing that organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation and the American Chronic Pain Association provide classes and support groups that give help and advice to these individuals that they could not find elsewhere. Conquering fibromyalgia would mean a happy, healthy life for those who have been suffering far too long.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread muscle and joint pain. It is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, because it is known as a non-disease, with no specific symptom or cause. Those individuals suffering debilitating pain from fibromyalgia need help for their depression and social isolation.

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