Fibromyalgia is a syndrome (fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS) or a cluster of problems. People who suffer from fibromyalgia, with pain, either wholly or in certain places, have difficulty sleeping, are mostly tired and can have many other symptoms.
Five to ten percent of the population has fibromyalgia. Most of them are women, but men and children who experience symptoms, too.
Pain is the distinguishing characteristic of fibromyalgia. Medically, it is described as generalized muscle-skeletal pain, pain and stiffness. For the pain to be diagnosed as fibromyalgia, it must in all four quadrants body (arms and legs) for at least 3 months, and it is pain when pressure is applied to at least 11 of the 18 points identified trigger .
This is the medical Name. Here is how people with fibromyalgia describe it.
"I can hardly move because the pain I am in. I am fighting to stay mobile."
"There is no way to describe the pain. They live with her on a daily basis."
"What people do not realize is that I am in pain all the time, every day."
"Sometimes you think No big deal, it's just pain. It is not life threatening. Sometimes you wish it was. At least it would be an end in sight. "
The pain waxes and wanes, different intensity. The people have good days and bad days. Some days it's not too bad, some days it's pretty much off. The pain of fibromyalgia often worse in cold or damp days if you do not slept well, if they are too inactive or active, if you said, or if your hormones change.
The second characteristic of fibromyalgia is disabling fatigue. Recent findings indicate that the fatigue is on a par four sleep disorder called alpha-EEG anomaly. During phase four deep sleep, the brain, bursts of awake-like activity, so there are not enough deep sleep undisturbed for the body to get enough rest.
In In addition to Alpha-EEG anomaly, many FMS sufferers also have sleep apnea, upper airway resistance syndrome, bruxism (teeth grinding during sleep), movement of the body and convulsions and restless leg syndrome. All these can contribute to fatigue fibromyalgia.
Again, this is how fibromyalgia sufferers describe their fatigue.
"The fatigue is worse than the pain."
"Some days, the bathroom feels like a ten-mile hike."
"On bad days, all I can do is turn on the TV for the kiddies and vegetables with them."
Pain and fatigue are the most disabling characteristics of fibromyalgia, but there are other worrying signs, too. 40-70 percent of fibromyalgia sufferers experience irritable bowel syndrome or other gastrointestinal problems. Constipation and diarrhea, abdominal pain, ebermaige gassiness, nausea and gastroesophageal reflux are common.
Many fibromyalgia sufferers are concerned about the mental and emotional problems that manifest themselves in addition to physical complaints. Anxiety and depression are widespread. It is not known whether they are independent factors, or if they are related to living in constant pain and fatigue and the social stigma of fibromyalgia. People also complain of confusion, difficulty thinking clearly and reducing the ability, mental tasks. This general mental fogginess was described as "Fibro fog."
Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include headaches, restless legs syndrome, sensitivity of the skin and skin rashes, dry eyes and mouth, Reynaud's syndrome, and various neurological problems.
Fibromyalgia is an invisible disease. Sufferers look fine on the surface. As part of their physical appearance, they are often exhausted and in excruciating pain. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that, at worst incredibly off. The symptoms must be managed, and even then the pain and fatigue and remove wax. It is a difficult disease to live, but it is not hopeless. Medical care and lifestyle management can make a big difference in how you feel if you suffer fibromyalgia.
Jane Thompson also writes a Free Autism newsletter in which you can discover how to manage the symptoms od Fibromyalgia. Sign up here: Free Fibromyalgia Newsletter, you can also find more fibro resources here Fibromyalgia Resources or visit our fibromyalgia blog Fibromyalgia Symptoms Blog.
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