What is Fibromyalgia?
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Fibromyalgia is a large word with a even larger diagnosis, the proper pronunciation is fy-bro-my-AL-ja . Many people have not a clue as to what fibromyalgia is let alone how it affects the body. However it is a chronic wide spread medical disorder that causes pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. This debilitating complex chronic pain disorder is suspected to affect an estimated 10 million Americans, including children, men, women and all ethnic backgrounds. Unfortunately, those who suffer from fibromyalgia with severe symptoms can be extremely debilitating and interfere with simple daily activities.
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Fibromyalgia is recognized by the American College of Rheumatoid and US National Institutes of Health. An accurate diagnoses includes a wide spread of consistent pain for a minimum of three months. Pain that would be experienced would be in 11 to 18 tender points when pressure is applied. Additionally, doctors will conduct other exams to rule out other possible conditions.
Causes of fibromyalgia:
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Physical and emotional trauma: can aggravate fibromyalgia such as a car accident or injury, and/or stress.
Genetics: Researchers believe that fibromyalgia is hereditary between mothers and children.
Infections: Some illnesses will aggravate fibromyalgia.
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All of these things can trigger and awaken fibromyalgia. There are many theories about fibromyalgia and researchers are working to figure out factually information related to fibromyalgia. According to the American College of Rheumatoid it is believed by researchers that repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain (neurotransmitters). In addition, the brain's pain receptors seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become more sensitive, meaning they can overreact to pain signals. This is believed as to why fibromyalgia patients feel chronic pain.
Treatment of Fibromyalgia:
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The federal drug administration (FDA) has approved three drugs Lyrica (pregabalin) approved June 21, 2007, Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) approved June 2008, Savella (milnacipran HCl) approved January 2009. Nevertheless there are host of other medications doctors use to help fibromyalgia patients.
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There are alternative therapies that may help with easing fibromyalgia pain, such as massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal supplements and yoga. These therapies can be effective tools in managing fibromyalgia symptoms and maintaining your quality of life. Other areas that may be helpful and supportive for fibromyalgia patients can include, increasing rest, pacing activities, reducing stress, practicing relaxation and improving nutrition.
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All of these therapies can be rewarding in the sense of helping to ease the pain and other related conditions of fibromyalgia.
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Fibromyalgia is beginning to take the widely known fact that it affects everyone differently. No one suffers the same with fibromyalgia. Nevertheless it is important to know that yes fibromyalgia is indeed painful, however fibromyalgia itself doesn’t cause tissue damage.
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You and Fibromyalgia:
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It’s possible to have a healthy and productive life with fibromyalgia. Yet you have to remember you will have bad days and good days. When the bad days come, it is important to take care of yourself. The medication and exercise alone can’t fix everything. As a fibro fighter you have to take charge of your life and fight like a champ!
