What Is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic condition which is arthritis related, and as a syndrome, (FMS) consists of a set of symptoms, many of which appear together.

What Are The Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia?

It causes a person to ache all over, suffer from excessive fatigue and experience tender points on the body which may be painful to touch. It can be accompanied by swelling, sleep deprevation and mood disturbances or depression.

Muscles tend to feel overworked or pulled without exercise and sometimes twitch, burn, or even have sharp pain. Fibromyalgia has signs similar to osteoarthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis, however the pain of bursitis or tendinitis is localized to a specific area while fibromyalgia is widespread.

Some patients with FMS have pain and achiness around the joints in the neck, shoulder, back, and hips. This makes it difficult for them to sleep or exercise.

They may also experience abdominal pain, anxiety, chronic headaches,dryness in mouth, nose, and eyes, hypersensitivity to cold or heat, inability to concentrate (called "fibro fog"), incontinence,irritable bowel syndrome, numbness or tingling in the fingers and feet, painful menstrual cramps, poor circulation in hands and feet (called Raynaud's phenomenon), restless legs syndrome and stiffness.

Who Is Susceptible To Fibromyalgia?

Many researchers feel that fibromyalgia is a genetic predisposition brought on by stress, either physical or emotional.

More than 12 million Americans have FMS, mostly women between the ages of 25 to 60. Women are 10 times more likely to get this disease than men.There are no specific laboratory tests to diagnose fibromyalgia which means the doctor will rule out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms.

Is There  Cure For Fibromyalgia?

There is also no fibromyalgia cure, and no treatment that will address all of the fibromyalgia symptoms. Doctors will use several traditional and alternative treatments shown to be effective in treating this difficult syndrome.

What Are The Treatments For Fibromyalgia?

A treatment program usually includes a combination of medications, exercises and behavioral techniques.The doctor may perscribe medications to treat its symptoms such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, narcolepsy drugs, pain relievers and sleep aids. All these medications work with brain chemistry to reduce pain, improve sleep, and ease anxiety or depression.

Individuals suffering from fibromyalgia are often dependent on several prescription medications to help relieve their various symptoms. Suppose some of these could be reduced or stopped completely?

Nutritional remedies have been used successfully in reducing symptoms.

1.Supplements with 5-HTP may increase serotonin levels to improve mood and concentration.

2.Vitamin E has aided in the overall treatment of fibromyalgia.

3.S-adenosylmethionine or SAME shown to reduce pain and depression.

4.Magnesium in conjunction with malic acid  helps in reducing muscle pain.

5.Melatonin reduces tender points and helps improve sleeping patterns.

The goal is to help patients with fibromyalgia function better. By decreasing the symptoms which are taking the largest toll on a persons life, patients can maintain employment and be more involved with family and community.