Conquering Fibromyalgia is Possible
Fibromyalgia is defined as a common and chronic pain disorder that can affect people with real, persistent pain throughout the body. It is a condition that was once thought to be psychological because no specific symptom or cause could be identified. Therefore it is called a syndrome rather than a disease. Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain in ligaments and tendons, with painful response to pressure. There are multiple tender points on the body where even the slightest amount of pressure will cause debilitating pain. Today the medical community is inclined to believe that there may be a real basis for the physical pain, which might be the result of prolonged psychological stress. Conquering fibromyalgia is possible, but only with a better understanding of this complex pain disorder.
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 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
Individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia have found that specific factors heighten their pain. They include stress and anxiety, depression, or physical exhaustion. Lack of sleep and even changes in the weather will trigger the pain. But because there are no conclusive tests to identify fibromyalgia, physicians are unaware of what causes the disorder. They believe that it could be a variety of factors working together. These can include genetics, infections and physical or emotional trauma. Researchers have found that individuals who have sleep disorders, sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome are at high risk to develop fibromyalgia. Gender, age, family history and rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus can also be factors. Women are more likely than men to develop this condition, so knowing that conquering fibromyalgia is possible is essential for their well being.
Recommendations
When an individual is suffering from fatigue and the lack of sleep because of the pain, they are looking for some relief. Conquering fibromyalgia forever is possible and pain management is the first goal in treating this disorder. A program using both traditional and alternative therapies can be involved in the treatment. Some individuals find that low doses of antidepressants control their pain very well. Therapeutic massage helps ease the pain and daily moist heat applications benefits joint stiffness. Others get better control from stress management, exercise and hydrotherapy. Managing stress is very important, because stress increases pain over tender points and decreases the ability to cope with pain. Taking time each day for rest and relaxation will reduce the stress. Another recommendation includes maintaining a healthy lifestyle by getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.
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 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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