Introduction
The symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases can often result in painful sensations that are not easily dismissed with medication or other therapies. Medical researchers know very little about the cause of the disease, but are learning more and more about how it impacts people. The symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases can first appear following a trauma, infection or other physical stress on the body. Even though there is no cure for the diseases, the symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases can sometimes be reduced or eliminated with the proper medical treatment.
Fatigue and Sleep Changes
One of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases is fatigue. The fatigue can cause feelings of extreme tiredness. Even after sleeping for long periods of times, some sufferers of fibromyalgia still awaken feeling as if they are still tired. Other symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases can lead to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. The sleep disorders combined with the other symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases can lead to an exacerbation of the other symptoms. Sufferers of fibromyalgia also report feelings of pain on certain parts of the body. The pain is usually confined to certain areas of the body known as tender points. Most tender points tend to be in areas such as the sides of the hips, upper chest and between the shoulder blades. Applying any type of pressure to the tender points can result in extreme pain for people with fibromyalgia.
Other Conditions
Most people who exhibit symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases often have coexisting conditions. The conditions affect various parts of the body. Common coexisting conditions include endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome and anxiety. Medical professionals are unsure why the other conditions commonly occur among people who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Some professionals believe the symptoms and coexisting conditions are the result of the inflammation that is commonly found among fibromyalgia sufferers. The symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases combined with the coexisting conditions can occur rapidly and intermittently depending on the severity of the disease.
Tips and comments
Fibromyalgia is not a preventable disease. Medical research is conducted on an ongoing basis to determine the root cause of the disease so that an effective treatment for the symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases can be found. Medical professionals have found that activities such as exercise, stress reduction and a proper diet can work to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases. Although there is not a cure-all treatment for the symptoms, some medical therapy is available to reduce the impact of the disease on a sufferer. Medications such as antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs have been found to have an affect on the symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases. Consistent therapy with a counselor can also help to reduce the stress a sufferer may experience which can impact the severity of the symptoms of fibromyalgia diseases. A physician or other medical personnel can help determine which treatment options work best for treating the symptoms of the disease. Treatment options vary by person since each case is considered to be unique due to the range of symptoms a person may experience.
