The Basics of Fibromyalgia

Various Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

The Basics of Fibromyalgia, what you need to know. Fibromyalgia affects approximately ten million Americans with a ratio of 8 to 2, women over men.  The Latin translation of fibromyalgia literally means muscle and fibrous tissue pain.  The common denominator of those diagnosed with the disorder is the pain in which they experience on a daily basis.  Widespread pain and tenderness tend to be body wide or migrate over the body.

There are various symptoms of fibromyalgia that range in intensity.  Several of the symptoms that are commonly reported include stiffness, cognitive complications, sleeping troubles, and fatigue.  However, to rule out possible co-existing conditions lab tests are often performed.  Fibromyalgia can also be misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis.  The distinction between various arthritic diseases and fibromyalgia is the presence of inflammation.  Although knowledge has expanded about the disorder in the past few decades, there are still many questions to be answered.  The cause of fibromyalgia, why it affects women significantly more than men, and the cure all remain unsolved mysteries to the medical community.

How Fibromyalgia Affects Individuals

Many studies and reports exist on how fibromyalgia affects individuals throughout their daily lives.  The deep tissue pain fibromyalgia patients feel is often from the top of their head to the tip of their toes.  The deep muscular discomfort has been described as aching, pounding, stabbing, and throbbing.  Some individuals have also reported it feels as though their limbs are being weighed down by cement.  All of these symptoms lead to the use of maximum energy even for menial daily tasks.  Once fatigue also sets in, which it commonly does, the person will begin to find it increasingly difficult to enjoy hobbies, sustain employment or engage in exercise routines.  Repetitive movement has been proven to heighten the pain that is experienced.  In any case, fibromyalgia is a life-altering disorder.

Research Revolving Around Fibromyalgia

Research revolving around fibromyalgia has focused on centralized pain.  Overactive nerves send “pain signals” to the brain and result in deep tissue soreness.  Several medically accepted treatments currently exist.  Each treatment typically provides limited relief from the pain.   But the knowledge of the disorder continues to expand.   More effective treatments are being explored and developed every day.

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