Causes Symptoms Signs
January 2005
With featured articles on Fibromyalgia treatment and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, information on treating Fibromyalgia, reviews of recommended products, and interviews with practitioners. Accepting the Unacceptable by Tamara Peters Published on: September 20, 2002 article reprinted from Suite101.com Recently I had a scare which resulted in an epiphany of sorts. You know, that “light bulb” moment [...]
Fibromyalgia Causes
There is still much that remains a mystery about the cause and disease fibromyalgia. The exact cause of the condition continues to elude researchers, although they have begun to develop several theories about what triggers fibromyalgia. Possible culprits include stress, injury or physical trauma, emotional trauma, lyme disease and a weakened immune system.
Fibromyalgia and Fatigue
Research has shown that fibromyalgia is clearly associated with sleep disturbances that disrupt a person’s ability to achieve a deep level of restorative sleep throughout the night. Most people sleep in cycles, drifting effortlessly between levels of light sleep, and deep REM sleep. However, for people who suffer from fibromyalgia, the body may not be able to enter a state of deep sleep.
Causes of Fibromyalgia
There is still much that remains a mystery about the disease fibromyalgia. The exact cause of the condition continues to elude researchers, although they have begun to develop several theories about what triggers the disease. Possible culprits include stress, injury or physical trauma, emotional trauma, lyme disease and a weakened immune system. Here is a closer look at each of these factors and their possible role in the development of fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia Pressure Points
Fibromyalgia is a disease that can completely take over one’s life. The pain and fatigue associated with the condition can affect one’s work performance, relationships, and daily activities. The simple tasks necessary to alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia can consume every ounce of energy and every moment of the day, unless managed properly.
Fibromyalgia Tender Points
In order to meet the formal requirements of a fibromyalgia diagnosis, your health care provider must note pain in at least eleven of these points with a minimal amount of pressure. The level of pressure is defined as four kilograms, which is just enough to turn a fingernail white. However, what is painful and tender for one person may not be painful for another.
Fibromyalgia Trigger Points
Trigger points are localized spots on the body that are found within the skeletal muscle. They can cause pain in the muscles used to maintain body posture, such as those in the neck, shoulders, and pelvic girdle. Pain in the trigger points can also be transmitted elsewhere in the body, causing tension headaches, tinnitus, Temporomandibular joint pain, decreased range of motion in the legs, and low back pain.
Fibromyalgia Pain is Real — What You Can Do to Relieve It
Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 2% to 4% of the population. Nine in 10 fibromyalgia patients are female. Patients commonly report feeling tenderness, stiffness and sometimes unbearable pain in various areas of the body. They also may suffer from fatigue, depression and gastrointestinal problems. Some doctors without expertise in fibromyalgia have dismissed patients’ complaints because there have been no documented physical signs of the disorder.
Fibromyalgia: An “Invisible” Disability
“You look fine….” Such words are usually intended as a compliment. Sometimes they provide reassurance. But they can also produce confused feelings when someone is silently suffering. This problem is not unique to fibromyalgia. Parallels are easily drawn with other conditions with controversial diagnoses and uncertain cause, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, posttraumatic stress disorder, and premenstrual syndrome.
Compilation of Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Let me preface this list by saying – although this list is long, not everyone will have all of these symptoms, but many of us will have most of these symptoms at one time or another. Although FMS has not been considered progressive, in the past, the symptoms can and often do become worse over time. It is also possible your symptoms will lessen with time.
Oxygen and Fibromyalgia
What is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia (FM) is often considered a medical mystery. It need not be. I often hear all laboratory tests are negative in patients with FM. That’s not true. Most physicians are uneasy when confronted with persons suffering with FM. That need not be so. I sometimes hear FM is not treatable. Nothing is further from the truth.
