Fibromyalgia by Nicole Deckard

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common types of arthritis. Like all types of arthritis fibromyalgia is a widespread joint and muscle pain along with fatigue and depression. Most people use to believes that fibromyalgia was a “fake” disease.  This type of arthritis affects mostly women between the ages of 25 to 60.  Women are ten times more likely to have fibromyalgia than men.  Symptoms of fibromyalgia are similar to osteoarthritis, tendinitis and bursitis, but with these diseases pain is localized to one area of the body.  Where as in fibromyalgia the pain is everywhere in the body.

Some symptoms include anxiety, depression, widespread pain, incapacitating fatigue, increase sensitivity to heat or cold,  incontinence and bowel problems, painful menstrual cramps, insomnia, severe fatigue, energy loss, chronic muscle pain, spasms weakness and tightness, migraines, swelling or the feeling of swelling in feet and hands.  The symptoms of fibromyalgia are worse in the morning and evening. Some symptoms are decreased in most patience from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Weather, hormone changes and overexertion can make the symptoms worse.

Fibromyalgia is only diagnosed after doctors have excluded every other diseases possible.  To do this doctors must run test for chemical and glucose imbalances, and a complete blood count.  As fibromyalgia has no cure, treatment is the only way to help with the pain.  Treatments may include physical therapy, meditation, and acupuncture. Some medication that is used for treatment may include Cymbalta, Lyrica, Savella and, even medical marijuana.   Some home remedies may include supplement and herbs, change in the patient’s diet, special exercises, and learning to cope with every day activities.

Citations


Fibromyalgia WebMD   www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/what-is-fibromyalgia
www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/AR0056/METHOD=print
www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/ungerstanding-fibromyalgia-symptoms
www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-living-managing