Identifying Fibromyalgia
Affecting nearly 6 million Americans, Fibromyalgia (FM) is a medical disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. ‘Fibro’ denoting muscle and ‘algia’ meaning pain, is also referred to as FM or FMS. This choronic pain in muscles and ligaments is a heightened response to pressure and often escalates to a disabling degree. Sadly, Fibromyalgia is not just intense muscular pain. Since it results from the failure of the body to function properly it causes multiple ailments to the sufferer.
Are You Suffering from Fibromyalgia?
Certain points in a Fibromyalgia patient’s body are highly sensitive to pressure and radiate pain in the muscles and joints.These points are called ‘tender points’ or ‘trigger points’. A patient must respond to eleven out of eighteen most common ‘tender points’ to meet the definition of this medical disorder.
The FM tender points are located at nine bilateral muscle locations which are;
- Lower cervical region; (front neck area)
- Second rib; (front chest area)
- Occiput (back of the neck)
- Trapezius muscle; (back shoulder area)
- Supraspinatus muscle; (shoulder blade area)
- Lateral epicondyle; (elbow area)
- Gluteal; (rear end)
- Greater trochanter: (rear hip)
- Knee: (knee area)
If you are experiencing widespread pain and general achiness all over or at certain ‘tender points’, if it has been over three months and your condition has not changed over time, you might be a victim of FM. Fibromyalgia patients endure acute pain which, is at its worse in the morning, diminishes during the day and intensifies again at night. It manifests in form of aching, throbbing, burning, migratory pain, muscle tightness, soreness and spasms.
More Signs and Symptoms
Neither fatal nor degenerative, Fibromyalgia syndrome varies in intensity and facets from one person to another. Although the defining symptoms remain chronic pain and fatigue, a host of secondary signs and symptoms are as follows;
Common Symptoms;
- Morning stiffness
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety
- Cognitive or memory impairment (fibro fog)
- Depression
- Abdominal pains
Additional Symptoms
- Painful menstrual cramps
- Vision problem
- Nausea and dizziness
- Weight gain
- Chronic headaches
- Skin problems
- Muscle twitches and weakness
The road to recovery is a difficult one for a Fibromyalgia patient. A multifaceted approach is required for optimal management of the diverse symptoms of FM disorder. Albeit, drugs and medicines form an important part of an effective treatment there is only 50% of a chance that a drug would effectively eliminate Fibromyalgia.
It is important that you identify your condition. Learn the causes, find out about over lapping conditions and effective treatments. Some experts believe that a third of FM patients get worse, a third stays the same and a third gets better. If you think you are suffering from Fibromyalgia, consult your doctor now!
