Fibromyalgia

General Information on Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition in which the muscles and joints are primarily affected. Fibromyalgia, once called fibrositis, is characterized by the pain and stiffness in muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose due to its more vague symptoms and similarities to other conditions such as arthritis. Fibromyalgia is a common term used to encompass several different types of fibromyalgia. Some of these include primary fibromyalgia, secondary fibromyalgia, general fibromyalgia, and localized fibromyalgia. Primary fibromyalgia is the most common form of fibromyalgia and is typically seen in middle-aged women with other similar disorders such as arthritis. Secondary fibromyalgia is a form of fibromyalgia that typically develops as a result of an underlying disorder. General fibromyalgia is when the fibromyalgia is experienced throughout the entire body. General fibromyalgia is also more likely to affect women than men by a little more than fivefold. Localized fibromyalgia is when the fibromyalgia primarily affects a specific area of the body such as the neck or knees. Localized fibromyalgia more commonly affects men than women and can often spread becoming general fibromyalgia. In most cases of fibromyalgia the cause is unknown. However, the cause of localized fibromyalgia is typically from some repetitive motion over an extended period of time such as chewing or throwing. Fibromyalgia is typically worsened by stress, lack of sleep, illness, injury, physical strain, and cold weather conditions.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia may be:

Muscle pain
Muscle spasms
Muscle tightness
increased sensitivity to pain
Soreness
Musculoskeletal pain
Difficulty sleeping
Stiffness
Anxiety
Depression
Fatigue
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

Treatments For Fibromyalgia

The treatment for fibromyalgia can be through natural means, medication, or a combination of the two. There is no cure for fibromyalgia. Natural means as treatment tends to be the most helpful. Methods such as exercise, stretching, physical therapy, heating, stress reduction, massages, getting more sleep, and making sure to stay warm are the most effective forms of natural treatment for fibromyalgia. Some medications such as aspirin and other pain medications, local anesthetics, antidepressants, sleeping medication, and hydrocortisone creams may be prescribed in order to help treat the fibromyalgia. Should there be a known cause for the fibromyalgia, such as in cases of localized fibromyalgia, the underlying cause is also treated.

Personal Experience

Fibromyalgia - personal experiences