| Copyright (c) 2008 Troy Foote | | | | ears, dizziness, vision problems, Raynaud's |
| Fibromyalgia has been commonly referred to as a | | | | Syndrome, neurological symptoms, and impaired |
| "stress-related disorder" due to its frequent onset | | | | coordination. |
| and worsening of symptoms in the context of | | | | One of the most important factors in improving |
| stressful events. This disease can affect every | | | | the symptoms of Fibromyalgia is for the patient |
| aspect of a person's life and is seen in about 2% | | | | to recognize the need for lifestyle adaptation. If |
| of the general population, which affects more | | | | untreated or not diagnosed early enough, |
| females than males, with a ratio of 9:1 by ACR | | | | symptoms can go on indefenitely. Symptoms can |
| criteria. | | | | also disappear for months at a time then suddenly |
| Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by | | | | recur. If you have fibromyalgia, many different |
| widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and | | | | treatments are available to help you manage your |
| tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender | | | | pain and other symptoms. One of the main |
| points places on your body where slight | | | | factors that seem to affect outcomes is how |
| pressure causes pain like the soft fibrous tissues | | | | quickly treatment begins following the onset of |
| in the body. Fibromyalgia patients are often | | | | symptoms. |
| sensitive to odours, loud noises, bright lights, and | | | | Treatment |
| sometimes even the medications they are | | | | Conventional medical intervention may be only |
| prescribed. | | | | part of a potential treatment program. An |
| Fibromyalgia can be managed, but it needs to be | | | | important role in treating Fibromyalgia is proper |
| managed differently than a standard disease. | | | | nutrition, relaxation techniques,alternative medicine |
| Fibromyalgia also causes people to have trouble | | | | and exercise as well. |
| sleeping and feel very tired all the time. | | | | The goal of treatment is to help in the |
| Fibromyalgia is especially confusing and an often | | | | management of pain and other symptoms. Some |
| misunderstood condition. Fibromyalgia does not | | | | people find complementary therapy treatments |
| cause inflammation or damage to the painful | | | | such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage, |
| areas, but seems to be due to an overactive pain | | | | chiropractic or osteopathy ease their pain or |
| system. It can be very difficult to diagnose. | | | | fatigue, or help them relax and manage their |
| Fibromyalgia pain has been described in a variety | | | | condition better. |
| of ways including: burning, radiating, gnawing, sore, | | | | Alternative treatments, which focus on pain relief |
| stiff, and aching. Fibromyalgia patients also have a | | | | and stress relief, also benefit many fibromyalgia |
| higher incidence of specific sleep disorders such as | | | | patients. If specific tender points are particularly |
| restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. | | | | painful, you can use acupressure to help calm |
| Symptoms | | | | them down. Soothing aromatherapy baths and |
| Symptoms can have a slow onset, and many | | | | massages can help to ease muscle and joint pain. |
| patients have mild symptoms beginning in | | | | Herbal Remedies Herbs can be used to help |
| childhood, that are often misdiagnosed as growing | | | | alleviate fibromyalgia by reducing inflammation, |
| pains. Symptoms vary, depending on stress level, | | | | stimulating hormones, providing immune system |
| physical activity, time of day, and the weather. | | | | supplements. Recent studies have shown that |
| Symptoms can be exacerbated by environmental | | | | people can get a sustained benefit by participating |
| or emotional stress, poor sleep, trauma, and | | | | in an aerobic exercise program. |
| exposure to dampness or cold, or by a physician | | | | For many years it was thought that fibromyalgia |
| who gives the patient the incorrect message that | | | | was psychologically based but is now recognised |
| it is "all in the head. | | | | as a medical condition in its own right and |
| Other common signs and symptoms include: | | | | research into the condition has increased. It is |
| DepressionNumbness or tingling sensations in the | | | | thought that fibromyalgia may be due to a |
| hands and feet (paresthesia) Difficulty | | | | malfunction in the way the central nervous |
| concentrating. Mood changes. Chest pain. Dry | | | | system processes pain signals. Since the |
| eyes, skin and mouth. Painful menstrual periods. | | | | symptoms of fibromyalgia are diverse and vary |
| Dizziness. Anxiety. The primary symptoms of | | | | among patients, treatment programs must be |
| fibromyalgia include widespread musculoskeletal | | | | individualized. In general, treatment for |
| pain, severe fatigue, and disturbed sleep. | | | | fibromyalgia is with a combination of medication |
| Sometimes fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle | | | | and self-care. |
| twitches and burning sensations. Other symptoms | | | | So is there a cure for fibromyalgia? No. Is there |
| may include: irritable bowel and bladder, headaches | | | | ways of providing relief? Yes. If you found this |
| and migraines, restless legs syndrome (periodic | | | | article helpful, than please use the following link to |
| limb movement disorder), impaired memory and | | | | find out for yourself how you can cope with and |
| concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry | | | | manage fibromyalgia. |
| eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the | | | | |