Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

A simple overview of a complicated condition

4/30/2012 by Connie Comadoll

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What is it? Symptoms Treatments

Title Page / Quit

What is Fibromyalgia?

What causes it? Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects

primarily woman between the ages of 25 and 40.

There is little known about its cause, but in recent

years, research has produced a few theories.

Physical TraumaCar Accident

Physical or sexual abuse

Life-threatening Illness

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Bacterial or Viral Infection

Infection can cause immune system to go into a hyper mode

From Hepatitis B or C

Genetic /Chemical

ImbalancesAbnormalities in the Hypothalamus, Thyroid, Pituitary and Adrenal Glands Central Nervous System abnormalitiesMuch higher levels of Substance P – brain/pain neuro-chemical

Low levels of Cortisol and/or Serotonin

Environmental

Allergic reactions

Chemical hypersensitivity

What are the Symptoms

of Fibromyalgia?Fibromyalgia is not life threatening in the sense that it will

not cause death, but for many the symptoms threaten

their quality of life to the point of being debilitating.

Severity of symptoms vary for each person, but most

patients agree that the following affect them most

adversely.

Widespread Pain and

Muscle StiffnessAll over muscle painUsually to some degree everyday.Worst pain can migrate around body.

Muscle stiffness worst in the morning upon waking.May diminish as day goes on, but usually not completely.

Fatigue

Extreme fatigue even in the morningMany experience disrupted sleep - waking during night either for no reason or from the pain

Brain-Fog

Confusion and forgetfulness

Trouble with paying attention

Concentration difficulty

Feeling of being “out of it”

Other symptoms

Restless Legs – achiness and irritability in the legsParesthesis – “pins and needles” primarily in legs, hands or feet

Tinnitus – high-pitched ringing in the ears

What is the treatment?

Although there is no “magic bullet” to treat

Fibromyalgia, there are some good options

for controlling the pain and other symptoms

so that you can still have a productive life.

MedicationsOTC (over-the-counter)

Pain relieversAntihistaminesTopical remedies

PrescriptionMuscle relaxantsPainkillersNarcotics

Exercise / Movement

Low impact aerobic exerciseWater exerciseSlow stretchingYogaWalking

Hands-on Therapies

MassageHeat therapies – heating pads, steamy shower, hot tub

Cold therapies – ice packs, cool shower

Alternative

Chiropractic

Acupuncture

Vitamin supplements

Homeopathy

Magnet therapy