The human body is quite complex and it is wonderful how it is able to care for itself in so many different ways. Although that is true, there are also some issues that occur in the human body that can be quite difficult to control. One of those is fibromyalgia, and it seems to be occurring on a more frequent basis.
There is still much that needs to be learned about fibromyalgia but it is known that it leads to widespread joint and muscle pain, mood issues, memory loss and fatigue. It is classified as a musculoskeletal disorder. It is the most commonly seen of those disorders aside from osteoarthritis. It certainly can cause problems when an individual is suffering from this difficulty.
A woman is more likely to suffer from fibromyalgia than a man and there isn’t a cure for the problem. Fibromyalgia may result in symptoms that are similar to osteoarthritis, so having a better understanding of the symptoms, risk factors and signs can help you to get the necessary treatment.
Risk factors
There are 3 risk factors that could increase your odds of developing fibromyalgia.
1. Sex – women are more likely to have it than men
2. Family history – when you have a family history of fibromyalgia, you are at an increased risk
3. Rheumatic disease – rheumatoid arthritis or lupus sufferers have a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia
Symptoms
Fatigue and widespread pain are the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia. Parts of the body may be painful to the touch and it may feel as if you have a pulled muscle or the muscle has been overworked. Sleeping is often difficult for people with fibromyalgia and this could lead to depression.
There may be some other symptoms of fibromyalgia that are not as commonly known. According to WebMD, those symptoms may include:
– Abdominal pain
– Chronic headaches
– Dryness in your mouth, nose and eyes
– Hypersensitivity to cold and/or heat
– Inability to concentrate
– Incontinence
– Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
– Numbness or tingling in your fingers and feet
– Stiffness
Treatment
Fibromyalgia does not have a specific test so your doctor will use the process of elimination according to your symptoms. After the determination has been made that you have fibromyalgia, there are a number of treatments available that will work with your symptoms.
Pain relievers – over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers may be provided to reduce your discomfort and help you sleep at night.
Antidepressants – some physicians feel as if antidepressants help to deal with the pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia.
Antiseizure drugs – prescription drugs for seizures may be provided to reduce pain in fibromyalgia sufferers.
The National Fibromyalgia Association Website can provide additional resources that may benefit those who are suffering from this problem.
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