Fibromyalgia is a pain disorder that is sometimes related to but not the same as other arthritic conditions.
This condition does not display the inflammation and degeneration at the joints that many other forms of arthritis do, so people who have it sometimes experience a great deal of frustration as they manage this disorder.
This is a very real condition, however, with its own set of symptoms and methods of management.
The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain throughout a person's body.
This pain can be more or less severe depending on the day, but is always there.
This pain appears to center around 18 pairs of "trigger points" located throughout the body.
Many, but not all, of these trigger points are located near joints.
Pain tends to radiate from these points and pain occurs when a certain amount of pressure is placed on these points.
Pain may also occur in other parts of the body, away from the trigger points.
Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include fatigue, muscle aches and spasms, loss of sleep, increased stress, depression, headaches, and some difficulty with concentration and memory.
These symptoms occur in varying degrees and may be directly related to the amount of pain a person is experiencing.
The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown.
It is known that fibromyalgia is closely tied to sleep disorders and increased stress.
A number of studies within the medical field link the cause of fibromyalgia to sleep disorders or to neurotransmitters in the brain that function during sleep.
There is also a genetic component to fibromyalgia, as studies have shown that this disorder tends to run in families.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia can be inconsistent and difficult to diagnose, as the primary symptom is pain.
There are no prominent physical symptoms or lab results to concretely point to a diagnosis.
People with this condition have often experienced difficulty with diagnosis and treatment in the past, as many physicians still do not accept this condition as a physical disorder, but view it as a psychological condition.
Physicians who are experienced in pain disorders and pain management are the most familiar with fibromyalgia and the best physicians to consult with regarding its diagnosis.
Although medications for fibromyalgia have recently become available, the primary treatments for fibromyalgia continue to be regularly scheduled pain management activities.
These include regular exercise, diet, relaxation and stress management techniques.
Consultation with a sleep disorders clinic may be warranted if lack of sleep is severe.
Consultation and possible counseling with a psychologist is also recommended, as pain management techniques usually involve life style changes that may be difficult.
Courses of treatment with physical and occupational therapists may also be recommended.
All of these services are available through a good pain management clinic.
A person newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia should be able to access a pain management program through his or her physician if that physician is familiar with pain management and deals with pain patients on a regular basis.
Due to the fact that many areas of a person's life need to be addressed and coordinated, initial treatment of fibromyalgia is not a do-it-yourself job.
At least a consultation with a pain management clinic is highly recommended.
This condition does not display the inflammation and degeneration at the joints that many other forms of arthritis do, so people who have it sometimes experience a great deal of frustration as they manage this disorder.
This is a very real condition, however, with its own set of symptoms and methods of management.
The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain throughout a person's body.
This pain can be more or less severe depending on the day, but is always there.
This pain appears to center around 18 pairs of "trigger points" located throughout the body.
Many, but not all, of these trigger points are located near joints.
Pain tends to radiate from these points and pain occurs when a certain amount of pressure is placed on these points.
Pain may also occur in other parts of the body, away from the trigger points.
Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include fatigue, muscle aches and spasms, loss of sleep, increased stress, depression, headaches, and some difficulty with concentration and memory.
These symptoms occur in varying degrees and may be directly related to the amount of pain a person is experiencing.
The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown.
It is known that fibromyalgia is closely tied to sleep disorders and increased stress.
A number of studies within the medical field link the cause of fibromyalgia to sleep disorders or to neurotransmitters in the brain that function during sleep.
There is also a genetic component to fibromyalgia, as studies have shown that this disorder tends to run in families.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia can be inconsistent and difficult to diagnose, as the primary symptom is pain.
There are no prominent physical symptoms or lab results to concretely point to a diagnosis.
People with this condition have often experienced difficulty with diagnosis and treatment in the past, as many physicians still do not accept this condition as a physical disorder, but view it as a psychological condition.
Physicians who are experienced in pain disorders and pain management are the most familiar with fibromyalgia and the best physicians to consult with regarding its diagnosis.
Although medications for fibromyalgia have recently become available, the primary treatments for fibromyalgia continue to be regularly scheduled pain management activities.
These include regular exercise, diet, relaxation and stress management techniques.
Consultation with a sleep disorders clinic may be warranted if lack of sleep is severe.
Consultation and possible counseling with a psychologist is also recommended, as pain management techniques usually involve life style changes that may be difficult.
Courses of treatment with physical and occupational therapists may also be recommended.
All of these services are available through a good pain management clinic.
A person newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia should be able to access a pain management program through his or her physician if that physician is familiar with pain management and deals with pain patients on a regular basis.
Due to the fact that many areas of a person's life need to be addressed and coordinated, initial treatment of fibromyalgia is not a do-it-yourself job.
At least a consultation with a pain management clinic is highly recommended.
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