| An inflammation of the fibrous or connective | | | | tests yet available to specifically diagnose |
| tissue of the body is called Fibromyalgia or | | | | fibromyalgia, so the diagnosis is generally made |
| Rheuatism. | | | | after simply ruling out other conditions. |
| It is characterized by general muscle pain, | | | | However, as there is usually so much stress |
| constant fatigue, and several localized tender | | | | related to sufferers of fibromyalgia, it is now |
| points with these symptoms. | | | | being diagnosed as a psychological condition |
| Known commonly as rheumatism, it is now called | | | | (perhaps wrongly) |
| Fibrositis, fibromyalgia, and fibromyositis by the | | | | The Treatment of Fibromyalgia |
| medical community. | | | | Fibromyalgia has no known cure. Therefore, |
| Causes and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia | | | | doctors (and the patients themselves) have to |
| There is no known cause of fibromyalgia. | | | | look to alleviating the symptoms. |
| It may be genetic, or related to the geographical | | | | A good way to do this is to include in your daily |
| place a person lives. Those who suffer | | | | life exercise, sufficient rest, lessons in stress |
| fibromyalgia will complain to have three general | | | | management, and a "clean" diet. |
| symptoms: joint and muscle pain, stiffness, and | | | | A clean diet will exclude coffee, red meat, |
| fatigue (usually caused by sleep disturbance). | | | | processed food, and other difficult digestible |
| However, pain is the predominant symptom with | | | | foods, but include a multitude of fresh fruits and |
| pain without apparent reason, aches, and stiffness | | | | vegetables. Vitamin supplements are also helpful. |
| of multiple muscles, joints, and tenderness in soft | | | | Ginger, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, and garlic are also |
| tissue. Additionally the pain will move from one | | | | helpful. |
| part of the body to another. It is most common | | | | One's daily exercise will include various forms of |
| in the hands, neck, arms, shoulders, chest, legs, | | | | aerobic exercise, with getting the heart rate to |
| hips, and back. | | | | good levels, for 20 minutes or more. |
| The fatigue results from the individual's chronic | | | | Care must be made not to do exercises that |
| pain coupled (disturbing sleep) It is common for | | | | could cause additional muscle and joint pain (i.e. if |
| the inflammatory condition to produces various | | | | you are lifting weights, use minimums instead of |
| enzymes that are known to cause fatigue. | | | | maximums). |
| Some additional symptoms can include diarrhea, | | | | Warm up and cool off at each exercise session. |
| tension headaches, difficulty swallowing, numbness | | | | From medications, some muscle relaxants and |
| or tingling of the extremities, and recurrent | | | | antidepressants have been helpful, but are not |
| abdominal pain. It is well known that stress, | | | | good for the long term. Analgesics should be used |
| anxiety, depression, and lack of sleep will increase | | | | sparingly. |
| symptoms. | | | | Medical Treatment |
| Who Is at Risk of Getting Fibromyalgia | | | | Conventional medicine will resort to medication and |
| Women of child bearing age are the most at risk, | | | | some physiotherapy. However massage has |
| followed by the elderly. Men and children are the | | | | proven very helpful, as well as acupuncture and |
| least at risk, but they also suffer with this disease. | | | | acupressure (shiatsu). There are other alternative |
| Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia | | | | therapies as well. |
| As the symptoms of fibromyalgia are vague and | | | | Prognosis of Fibromyalgia |
| generalized, diagnosis is difficult and frequently | | | | As fibromyalgia is a chronic illness, the general |
| incorrect. | | | | symptoms will both improve and then worsen. |
| As a sufferer may also have other nerve and | | | | The symptoms can last for months to years. If |
| muscle disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, the | | | | you think you have it then make sure you consult |
| diagnosis may further complicated. There are no | | | | your doctor as soon as possible. |