REDUCE THE PAIN OF FIBROMYALGIA

• Fibromyalgia has been studied under many names since the early part of the last century, yet was only recognized by the American Medical Association as any type of real illness or the cause of disability in 1987.

• Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome, which is characterized by severe fatigue, pain and tenderness in diverse parts of the body and myriad other symptoms which are as non specific as they are numerous. Fibromyalgia can limit range of motion, desire to be mobile and create a great deal of stress because of the inability to function effectively or without pain.

• Fibromyalgia is what is known as a chronic disease process, or syndrome, because it may last an entire lifetime. It is characterized by pain and tenderness in many areas of the body, can cause severe bone and joint pain as well as chronic severe fatigue, inability to achieve a deep sleep, what its sufferers call "brain fog" the inability to think clearly at times, and myriad other symptoms.

• Fibromyalgia is not a communicable disease, and it has been suggested by studies that fibromyalgia may be genetic in disposition. Women are more frequently affected by the condition than men. The American College of Rheumatology says that nearly 9 times more females than males develop the syndrome. It is usually seen and diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50; however it may occur much earlier, in some cases as early as the teenage years.

• It is not in any way life threatening yet because the level of pain or symptoms from the disease will vary to such a high degree from one day to another, with periods of high pain and severe fatigue, it can be draining in many ways both financially and physically, although it has been termed as non progressive by physicians..

FACTORS WHICH MAY WORSEN SYMPTOMS There are several factors which will add to the discomfort of the disease process and exacerbate symptoms have a great deal in common with other types of arthritic processes. oFatigue or Lack of SleepoHumidity or Pressure ChangesoHigh StressoExcess Physical Activity TREATMENTS EXERCISES

• Several studies of Fibromyalgia suggest that the use of a light to moderate exercise regimen may be helpful. Some suggested therapies are warm water hydrotherapy, which will also improve overall general health and some types of martial arts therapy, such as those which are used in osteoarthritis. Additionally these therapies will aid in reducing the pain and stiffness that is associated with the disease, as well as induce a level of fatigue that will not exacerbate the disease, but will promote sleep.

• Light stretching exercises are professed by many to help with the stiff muscles and the fatigue, as well as some form of very mild aerobics.Caution should be used in this type therapy because any truly over strenuous exercise may add to the fatigue and worsen the pain to which the patient is already subject. This type of therapy should be discussed with a doctor and entered into gradually so that tolerances are built to the level of activity. This will help to avoid further pain and stiffness, particularly if you are not a physically active person prior to the onset of the disease. In some cases exercise of any kind will be unable to be used due to the severity of fatigue which may result from it.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

• Gentle physical therapy or massage has been reported to be of benefit to the patients who suffer from Fibromyalgia, as has chiropractic intervention. The application of heat or cold to the areas affected by pain has also been recommended but is at best a short term aide in reduction of pain.

HOLISTIC CARE

• The best recommendation appears to be a holistic one. Treat the entire body, which will include management of your diet, the amount of sleep you get your activity level and stress reduction techniques. Supplements may be of assistance to some, while they will not to others. No approach will work for every sufferer of any give disease process.

• In some cases bio feedback has been effectively used, and stress management therapy may be helpful to those who suffer from Fibromyalgia. Gentle sleep medication may aid in achieving a good nights rest.Other medications which are used by those who have developed this syndrome and have appeared to help with the cognitive aspects of the disease include folic acid supplements and ginkgo biloba herb

PAST HISTORY

• Due to the nature of the disease process, it is often misunderstood and many doctors even to this writing believe that it is psychosomatic in nature. They claim to treat it with great success when their patients begin to understand that it is an effect produced from a psychological cause. To that end some medications that have been prescribed for this syndrome include such drugs which typically are used in mental disorders.

• Fibromyalgia sufferers often suffer doubly from the lack of knowledge of those who surround them. Disbelief in their illness or deeming them simply lazy or depressed is a common reaction that faces the Fibromyalgia patient. This is why the disease process is sometimes termed an invisible source of illness. Since it cannot be seen outwardly by others, or the effects of its pain on their lifestyle, there is often a societal stigma added to the pain the patient is already suffering.

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