Fibromyalgia: What Is It And How Can You Cope With It?

Fibromyalgia is becoming more and more common in the USA. Recent estimates show that around 5 million Americans over the age of 18 have some degree of fibromyalgia pain. Almost 100 percent of these patients are women. No one is exactly sure what causes fibromyalgia, but a few theories include heavy metal toxicity, low serotonin levels, and high stress lifestyles. In this article, we'll go over a few of the warning signs of this disease and mention a few ways you can find effective relief from fibromyalgia pain.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Here are just a few of the most common symptoms people with fibromyalgia report:

• Extreme fatigue
• Lack of mental clarity
• Muscle soreness
• Stiff muscles, especially in the morning
• Tingling sensations
• Digestive problems
• Depression and/or anxiety
• Memory problems
• Sensitivity to cold and bright lights

How A Doctor Diagnoses Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is notoriously difficult for doctors to diagnose. Since most of the symptoms of this pain disorder overlap with other conditions, many fibromyalgia patients don't get the right diagnosis for years. It's not uncommon for fibro patients to see multiple doctors before actually getting diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Although there's no standardized test for fibromyalgia, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has put out a standardized criteria for the condition. According to the ACR, fibromyalgia is characterized as chronic muscle pain and diminished mental clarity for over three months. Doctors should also check patients for tender spots across the body.

Popular Remedies For Fibromyalgia

There's no official cure for fibromyalgia as of today. However, many patients have found great fibromyalgia pain relief using a few of the methods listed below.

• Acupuncture This ancient Chinese method of healing is extremely popular with fibromyalgia patients. Acupuncturists insert tiny needles at certain points throughout the body to release any blockages in what they call the Qi, or the energetic flow of the body. There have been numerous studies published showing how acupuncture can help relieve both physical and mental symptoms of fibromyalgia.
• Reducing Stress The more stress you have in your life, the more your fibromyalgia symptoms will flare up. Common methods people use to combat stress include eating a healthier diet, taking vitamins or herbal supplements, meditation, and seeing a talk therapist. It's also a good idea to schedule a few massage treatments throughout the year to loosen up your muscles.
• Do Light Exercise Doctors always recommend fibromyalgia patients do some form of regular exercise throughout the week. A few great low intensity workouts for fibro patients include beginner's yoga, walking, Tai Chi, and swimming.
• Sleep Eight Hours Every Night Good sleep helps the body repair each and every night. Sadly, people with fibromyalgia often don't get an adequate amount of sleep and wake up feeling horrible. A few simple suggestions to help you get to sleep quicker include turning off all electronic devices at least 30 minutes before you go to bed, putting objects associated with work outside of your bedroom, and investing in a Himalayan salt lamp. If you're still having trouble going to bed, talk to your doctor about your issues and schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist.

Top 5 Routes for "Fibromyalgia Pain Relief"

1. WebMD WebMD's "Fibromyalgia Help Center" has loads of information on all aspects of this pain syndrome. There are also numerous articles here detailing recent studies into the treatment and prevention of this disease.
2. Mayo Clinic The famous Mayo Clinic website has a ton of resources on fibromyalgia pain relief. Just a few of this website's FAQ pages include interesting questions like whether or not TENS therapy, Chinese cupping, or various herbs can help fibro sufferers.
3. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases The NIH is one of the most authoritative websites on all things related to fibromyalgia. Take a look at NIH's detailed fibromyalgia page to find out all about the current research into this disease.
4. Healthline Healthline was officially released in 2006 to help laymen understand complex medical topics in easy to read articles. This website has a ton of resources on fibromyalgia pain, including diet recommendations, how to claim disability with fibromyalgia, and statistics.
5. FibroCenter The FibroCenter was designed by Pfizer to spread high quality information on fibromyalgia. This website will help you better understand the symptoms of fibromyalgia, how to get diagnosed with the disorder, and the best ways to cope with the disease.