| Are you experiencing chronic pain in your muscles | | | | the cause is unknown and there can be so many |
| and joints without having any history of trauma | | | | symptoms that mimic other conditions. |
| or injury? This may have left you wondering | | | | The approach that doctors take is to conduct |
| what's behind this widespread pain? Well, you are | | | | several tests and rule out other possibilities for |
| not alone in your dilemma and if you've been | | | | the symptoms. Among the possible conditions |
| experiencing this pain for 3 months or more it | | | | that have similar symptoms are rheumatoid |
| may be worth asking your doctor about | | | | arthritis and lupus. This is why it is vital to tell your |
| diagnosing fibromyalgia. | | | | doctor about all the symptoms you're having |
| Fibromyalgia is condition, which is characterized by | | | | because what may be unrelated to you could in |
| widespread, chronic pain throughout various points | | | | fact be very important. |
| in the body. Sometimes, the pain will come and go | | | | Due to the difficulties over diagnosis, the |
| or move from one area to another, puzzling the | | | | American College of Rheumatology drew up |
| person as to where it comes from. | | | | diagnosing guidelines that can help physicians in |
| In addition to the widespread pain that can be felt | | | | diagnosing fibromyalgia. Some doctors however |
| in the body's muscles, joints and tendons, | | | | do not follow these to the letter because they |
| fibromyalgia is also often accompanied by a | | | | feel that the guidelines are too strict. |
| sleeping disorder called alpha wave. This disturbs | | | | Still, it is worth looking into especially when |
| the sleep through increased brain activity that is | | | | determining if you have fibromyalgia or not. |
| similar to wakefulness. | | | | According to the criteria set up, fibromyalgia may |
| This results to fatigue and tiredness because | | | | be diagnosed if widespread pain reaches a period |
| people with fibromyalgia do not experience the | | | | of three consecutive months or more. |
| kind of restorative deep sleep that they should | | | | There should also be a minimum of 11 out of 18 |
| have. There will also be an increased sensitivity to | | | | specific different points in the body that are |
| the way pain is felt. | | | | tender and painful when touched with light |
| Most patients with fibromyalgia feel pain easily | | | | pressure (4kg of pressure). |
| even with just a slight pressure. They are more | | | | For more information on overcoming fibromyalgia |
| sensitive to pain compared to other individuals. | | | | naturally sign up for the free newsletter below. |
| This is the reason why some experts believe that | | | | Diagnosing fibromyalgia may take some |
| the condition is caused by a dysfunction in the | | | | perseverance so try keeping a diary to record all |
| way the brain sends pain signals to the receptors. | | | | your symptoms so that you're prepared when |
| People afflicted with fibromyalgia may also | | | | you visit the doctor. This will ensure you don't |
| experience mood swings, and depression. | | | | forget any during your consultation and secondly, |
| As mentioned before, fibromyalgia is one of the | | | | find a doctor that is sympathetic to your |
| harder conditions to diagnose perhaps because | | | | symptoms. |