Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is an intense, crippling, nagging, constant chronic pain syndrome that continues to take a toll on the population. Approximately 16 million people are estimated to have fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia mainly affects women aged 25 to 55 years (female to male ratio is 5:1). It bears a remarkable resemblance to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Fibromyalgia (FM) is usually classified as a soft tissue musculoskeletal condition. It resembles CFS in some ways. Symptoms of stiffness, chronic musculoskeletal pain, aching, disturbed sleep, depression, anxiety and fatigue plague patients with both syndromes. Patients do not experience all of the symptoms, but patients with FM have many specific tender points in the body.
Patients are more sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and weather changes, activity levels and stress.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
- Tenderness of at least 11 of 18 specific points on the body
- Stiffness, especially in AM upon awakening
- Sleep disturbances/Insomnia
- Chronic aching
- Pain
- Back pain- neck middle, lower back, arm and leg pain.
- Anxiety
- depression
- chronic fatigue
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Subjective soft tissue swelling
- Cardiovascular problems (dizziness, palpitations)
- Muscle spasms and trigger points/muscle jerking
- Fluid retention
- Poor memory
- PMS
- Tightening sensations
- Sensitive to loud noises and light
Other symptoms of FM include:
- Tension and stress
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to temperature and weather changes
- Sensitivity to loud noise and lights
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