| Fibromyalgia or FMS is a chronic musculoskeletal | | | | After learning these facts the question remains... is |
| syndrome characterized by pain, tenderness, | | | | there hope for fibromyalgia sufferers? Is there a |
| achiness and stiffness in the muscle tissue, the | | | | fibromyalgia cure? Let's find out... |
| ligaments, and the tendons. It is like a type of | | | | Treatment |
| rheumatism but it does not affect joints. Some | | | | The initial treatment for fibromyalgia is a trial and |
| people report that having fibromyalgia is like living | | | | error process, as the variety and severity of |
| in a permanent state of having the flu. | | | | symptoms caused by this condition vary from |
| FMS is a relatively new diagnosis. The very first | | | | person to person. Therefore, treatment programs |
| diagnosis of "Fibromyalgia Syndrome" as such | | | | must be individualized. |
| took place in the early 1980's. Many have claimed | | | | Several drugs have been prescribed for the |
| a fibromyalgia cure; still most remain in pain | | | | symptoms of fibromyalgia. Two of the most |
| without knowing how to help themselves. | | | | common ones are Guaifenesin and Amitriptyline |
| However, the visibility of fibromyalgia is no doubt | | | | (Elavil). Antidepressants have also been used to |
| attracting more attention amongst medical | | | | treat certain symptoms of fibromyalgia, and |
| professionals giving fibromyalgia sufferers hope | | | | cyclobenzaprine has been prescribed to treat the |
| for a fibromyalgia cure in the near future. | | | | pain, stiffness, and sleep problems associated with |
| There are about 5 million people affected with | | | | FMS. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) has also proven |
| FMS in the United States alone. Most affected are | | | | effective to ease the pain and stiffness caused |
| women of childbearing age. It can also affect | | | | by fibromyalgia. |
| men, children and the elderly but it is less | | | | On a more holistic note, adding a soy supplement |
| common. | | | | to the diet has helped alleviate pain and improve |
| Causes | | | | the quality of life. Some patients have stated that |
| The exact causes of this complex and perplexing | | | | massage therapy, relaxation therapy, and |
| condition are not yet fully understood. There are | | | | hydrotherapy have helped alleviate their |
| many theories, but none have been proved | | | | symptoms. Chinese herbal medicine, biofeedback |
| conclusively. It is very likely that there are a | | | | and psycho-therapy have also been helpful in the |
| number of factors involved. | | | | treatment of FMS. According to a Mayo Clinic |
| The condition usually appears after an injury, | | | | study, acupuncture significantly improved |
| surgery or long illness; nevertheless, no specific | | | | symptoms in fibromyalgia patients. |
| illness causes fibromyalgia. It is also thought to be | | | | These types of practices can help control pain, |
| brought on by emotional, psychological, or physical | | | | increase energy and improve sleep and other |
| drastic changes or trauma. Prolonged periods of | | | | symptoms. Taking extra magnesium, calcium and |
| stress have also been considered as a possible | | | | potassium are also recommended. |
| cause. It is also suspected that there are | | | | The good news |
| underlying biochemical causes -alterations in certain | | | | Yes, there is good news! First of all, fibromyalgia is |
| body chemicals produced in excess- even though | | | | NOT a life threatening condition. Fibromyalgia is |
| there is no known anatomical reason for the | | | | diagnosable, is treatable and can be reversed. |
| syndrome. | | | | Numerous individuals claim that their symptoms |
| Another aspect of fibromyalgia is its close | | | | have disappeared for long periods of time. Others |
| association with hypoglycemia, although it is not | | | | claim total remission. |
| known if fibromyalgia causes hypoglycemia or the | | | | Every time one patient claims a fibromyalgia cure, |
| other way around. There may also seem to be a | | | | there is hope for the rest of fibromyalgia |
| direct relationship with people affected with | | | | sufferers! One thing you can start with to achieve |
| Candidiasis. Vitamin deficiency has also been linked | | | | your fibromyalgia cure is making an effort to |
| to FMS. | | | | become more aware of your day to day routine. |
| Yet, some researchers believe that fibromyalgia is | | | | What do you do? Where do you go? Learn what |
| caused by an imbalance of the brain's chemistry, | | | | factors aggravate your symptoms and avoid |
| which could be a direct result of mercury toxicity, | | | | them, if possible. Symptoms of fibromyalgia may |
| while others believe its directly related to diet. | | | | come and go at first. You need to watch what |
| Diagnosis | | | | triggers them. Also, watch your diet. Certain |
| As we mentioned earlier, the cause of | | | | dietary and lifestyle changes may help ease the |
| fibromyalgia is not known yet. Subsequently, it is | | | | symptoms. |
| often misdiagnosed as anything from arthritis to | | | | Also, remember that stress can exacerbate |
| psychological problems. A true diagnosis takes | | | | fibromyalgia symptoms. For women, hormonal |
| place only after other diseases with similar | | | | changes throughout the month can play an |
| symptoms have been ruled out such as Lupus, | | | | important role. And overworking at home and |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Arthritis and | | | | work can bring on symptoms of fibromyalgia too. |
| Rheumatism amongst others. Usually, lab tests | | | | FMS is not an imaginary condition. It is REAL. |
| show no abnormalities of any kind. This is why up | | | | Many of its underlying causes can be treated and |
| until recently FMS was believed to be a "just in | | | | possibly 100% eliminated. Seek medical attention. |
| your imagination" condition. Nevertheless, FMS is a | | | | Get help. You will feel better! |
| very real condition. | | | | |