One of the most controversial and widely misunderstood conditions today has to be fibromyalgia. Those who suffer from it know that it's painful and nearly debilitating, while there are some even in the healthcare industry that claim that it doesn't even exist. What is this condition and what can you do about it if you believe that you have it?
Keep in mind how the body works. Sensations are felt at nerve endings which send a signal through the spinal cord to the brain, which translates that signal into a feeling. That feeling may be an itch, a cramp, or the touch of someone or something else. Most sensations the body feels are harmless; think of what you're feeling right now, whether it's the pressure of the chair you're sitting in against your back or the computer keys under your fingers. For those with fibromyalgia there is some type of defect in the communication system, whether it be at the nerve endings, in the spinal cord, or the brain itself so that even harmless sensations are recorded as pain. Typically the brain only registers pain in the case of injury or illness, but with fibromyalgia there is a painful sensation even when nothing is wrong.
Symptoms include widespread pain and tenderness to any light touch. Tingling of the skin, muscle soreness, muscle spasms, weakness of the limbs and moderate to severe fatigue.
The pain caused by fibromyalgia can really originate anywhere, whether it's tissue, muscles, joints, or tendons. This is why it's such a difficult condition for doctors to understand and treat; since there is no one cause it's hard to pinpoint accurately. The pain will vary greatly from day to day with periods of flare ups and periods of remission. The American Medical Association did not recognize the disease until 1987. Individuals between the ages of 20 and 50 are usually when the onset of the disease occurs.
As difficult as it may be to understand fibromyalgia, there are things that a sufferer can do to manage the symptoms. Regular exercise seems to help most sufferers as this loosens the joints and muscles and keeps them strong. Reducing stress is also helpful as stress causes increased physical tension, which then brings on attacks of fibromyalgia. Patients report good results with things such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and simplifying one's lifestyle. Some have also used acupuncture, relaxation techniques, and behavioral therapy as well.
One of the other common problems with fibromyalgia is that many sufferers seem to have an onset of depression, either because of the physical pain they feel or because of the fact that people often dismiss their symptoms and their condition. If you are a sufferer and feel that you have symptoms of depression, such as losing interest in the things that you once enjoyed, chronic fatigue, crying jags, or anything else you suspect could be depression, you should speak to your doctor about both your mental state and your fibromyalgia as well. Because the two can be intertwined with one another, it's important that you address both.
Until doctors find a cure for fibromyalgia you may just need to do what you can to treat the symptoms. Fortunately you can take steps to control your pain and to take charge of your own treatment.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.
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