Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. It affects over 5 million Americans annually, with an estimated 25 percent of all women between 20-50 years old affected by this disorder. Although it isn’t much known about what causes fibromyalgia, studies indicate that stress may play a role. People who are diagnosed with the disease often describe their symptoms as “tingling” or like having a “pins and needles” feeling in specific areas of their body.
The symptoms tend to get worse during periods of high physical activity, emotional distress, or exposure to sunlight. In addition, people suffering from fibromyalgia experience changes to certain chemicals found in the brain which can lead to other health problems such as depression and anxiety.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
While the exact cause remains unknown, many researchers believe that fibromyalgia is related to abnormalities within the central nervous system (CNS). There are three main theories behind this link, including hormonal imbalance, immune dysfunction, and abnormal neuronal firing.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that causes pain in the muscles and joints. It usually affects women more than men. However, it can affect anyone of either sex.
- The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Painful stiffness and tenderness.
- Fatigue.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Cognitive problems.
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Chronic fatigue.
- Poor concentration.
There are several types of treatments for this condition. Some people use anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Others take antidepressants. Still, others try to manage their pain using relaxation techniques.
If you think that you may have fibromyalgia, then make an appointment with your doctor. He will be able to diagnose it based on the information you provide. Also, he will recommend a treatment plan.
How Do I Know If I Have Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects the muscles and ligaments in your body. It is most common among women and can cause a wide range of pain.
The main symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread musculoskeletal pain. The other symptoms include fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, mood changes, numbness, tingling, stiffness, tender points, irritable bowel syndrome, restless leg syndrome, memory loss, and concentration problems.
If you are suffering from these symptoms, it’s possible that you might have fibromyalgia. To know for sure, you need to see a doctor. However, there is no cure for this disease, but there are ways to manage the symptoms.
Here is how you can tell whether or not you have fibromyalgia:
1. Tender Point Test – This test involves pressing certain areas of your body, such as your neck, back, shoulders, hips, and knees. If you feel a lot of pressure when pressed on, then you are probably experiencing some form of pain.
2. Muscle Stretching – This is a simple exercise that helps to loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow throughout the entire body. It’s best performed while lying down, with both legs bent at 90 degrees.
Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a common condition in which people experience chronic pain and other symptoms. People often confuse this with arthritis, but they are very different conditions.
The most important symptom of fibromyalgia is the presence of widespread musculoskeletal pains. These are usually present for more than three months and are located throughout the body. They can be felt anywhere from the neck to the toes. The intensity varies depending on where the person is experiencing them. However, it is not unusual for people to feel some discomfort at night.
People also commonly have muscle stiffness. Some of these muscles may become tight or sore. This makes moving around difficult, especially if the person is sitting. Also, people with fibromyalgia tend to get tired easily.
Some of the other common symptoms include fatigue, sleep problems, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, depression and anxiety, and poor concentration. All of these symptoms make life hard for the individual.
Many doctors believe that there are no cures for this condition. However, many treatments are available. The best treatment involves taking medications and doing physical therapy exercises.
Treatment for Fibromyalgia
Treatment options include physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes. Physical therapies can help to reduce stiffness, improve range of motion, strengthen the body, and relieve stress. Medications may be used alone or combined with other treatment methods. Lifestyle changes like exercise and relaxation techniques also have a positive effect.
There is no one specific cause of fibromyalgia, but it tends to occur when the nervous system receives too much stimulation. This results in the brain sending signals to your muscles that are not needed. When this happens, you end up with muscle spasms and stiffness that are difficult to control. These symptoms can last from a few weeks to several months.
Conclusion
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain in the muscles and joints. People with this disease often feel tired, weak, stiff, sore, and painful. There is no cure for this disease, but there are treatments.