About 10 million Americans are affected by fibromyalgia. It is a very common condition. There are even people who have it but don’t realize it. There are also doctors who can’t recognize fibromyalgia in a patient and often misdiagnose it.
It is very important to know if you have this condition so that you can get rid of the pain as well as the unpleasant symptoms.
This condition cannot be cured, but some medications, cognitive behavioral therapies, and gentle exercises can help.
Muscle pain is the first thing that people think of when they hear about fibromyalgia.
People with fibromyalgia also suffer from sensitivity to touch that spreads throughout the body in addition to many other problems. This is a condition that affects their physical, emotional, and mental health.
Causes and Diagnosis4
The cause of fibromyalgia remains unclear. You can’t prevent this condition, but you can control it. You just have to be aware that you have it.
There is no test that doctors can use to diagnose fibromyalgia. The doctor simply asks the patient if they have some of the following symptoms.
The doctor also performs many tests and methods such as antinuclear antibodies, blood count, rheumatoid factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, thyroid test, MRI, and X-ray.
The following are the most common symptoms. If you notice some of them, visit a specialist.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
•. • Muscles and body
•. • Muscle twitching
•. • Swelling
•. • Morning stiffness
•. • Lumpy breast pain
•. • Mild to severe pain that may spread to other parts of the body
•. • Sleep problems
•. • Fatigue
•. • Teeth grinding
•. • Sleep twitching (also known as sleepwalking)
•. • Difficulty sleeping/interrupted sleep pattern, feeling very tired and sluggish every morning
•. • Muscle twitching during sleep
•. • Sinus problems and allergies
•. • Ringing in the ears
•. • Thick mucus
•. • Runny nose plus postnasal drip
•. • Shortness of breath
•. • Earache and itching in the ears
•. • Sensitivity to mold and yeast, as well as allergies
•. • Digestive and stomach problems
•. • Irritable bowel syndrome
•. • Pelvic pain, nausea, abdominal cramps, and bloating
•. • Frequent urination
•. • Allergies and sensory problems
•. • Difficulty seeing while driving at night and in dim lighting
•. • Increased sensitivity to changes in weather, light, noise, smells, pressure, and temperature
•. • Cognitive problems
•. • Impaired language, including difficulty pronouncing familiar words
•. • Impaired coordination and balance
•. • Burning and tingling sensations in the upper extremities
•. • Short-term memory impairment, difficulty distinguishing between certain shades of color, and difficulty concentrating
•. • Difficulty with orientation and difficulty recognizing familiar surroundings
•. • Reproductive problems
•. • Loss of libido
•. • Impotence
•. • Premenstrual syndrome and other menstrual problems
•. • Heart problems
•. • Valve problems
•. • Heart attack-like pain
•. • Irregular heartbeat
•. • Skin, hair and nails
•. • Excessively curved nails that bend under them
•. • Hair loss
•. • Skin spots, bruises or scars that appear easily
•. • Mental health problems
•. • Unexplained mood swings and irritability
•. • Anxiety, depression and panic attacks
Other symptoms
•. • Family history
•. • Unexplained weight gain or loss
•. • Sweating
•. • Headaches and migraines
•. • Cravings for carbohydrates and chocolate
•. • Vision problems
•. • All of the above signs could also mean you have another condition, so don’t panic. For example, PMS, food cravings, frequent mood swings and headaches don’t just mean fibromyalgia.
Just consult your doctor. Don’t make any conclusions yourself.
•. • Physical Therapy for Fibromyalgia
Here are some tips that can help you relieve fibromyalgia symptoms naturally:
•. • Practice yoga
•. • Use acupuncture
•. • Try conscious breathing
•. • Practice Tai Chi
•. • Go to messages
•. • Use anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, garlic and ginger
•. • Eat whole, organic anti-inflammatory foods
•. • Take magnesium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D supplements
•. • Do light exercise
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