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Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that causes immense physical pain and debilitating fatigue. Classified as a syndrome, fibromyalgia is not a disease. Instead it is a condition that causes many different symptoms. These symptoms affect all systems in the body. Fibromyalgia plagues up to 5% of the population, with 6 million sufferers in the United States alone. The name fibromyalgia comes from "fibro" meaning fibrous tissue (such as tendons and ligaments), "my" meaning muscles, and "algia" meaning pain.
The Pain of It All
Fibromyalgia's main symptom is widespread musculoskeletal pain. This pain affects the ligaments, tendons, and muscles throughout the body. Ligaments are made of tough tissues which attach to the bones in your body. Tendons help to attach muscles to your bones. Muscles allow you to stretch and flex various body parts.
Fibromyalgia patients often feel like they are aching all over; muscles feel sore, stiff, and overworked. Muscle twitches are also common in fibromyalgia, adding to the pain of the illness. Sometimes muscles can even feel like they are burning.
A Chronic Disorder
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder, which means that pain can continue for months and even years. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia treatment is often difficult to come by and many people must suffer in silence. However, fibromyalgia pain generally does not worsen over time, and it doesn't cause inflammation of the internal organs or muscles.
Many Other Symptoms
Though pain is the foremost symptom of fibromyaliga, it is by no means the only symptom. Among other symptoms, fibromyalgia sufferers often experience:
Many Sufferers
Fibromyaliga syndrome has many sufferers of all ages and backgrounds. Fibromyalgia does seem to affect women more than men, especially during the childbearing years. Children and the elderly can can also be affected.
Showing Some Compassion
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a very frustrating illness to have. This is because so few people truly understand the condition. It may be difficult for you to relate your pain to your friends and family. To help them understand, ask them to think back to when they last had a bad bout with the flu. The memories of constant aches, pains, and fatigue may help them to understand what you are facing.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
Though there is no cure, there are a wide number of treatments available for fibromyaliga. Medical treatments and drug therapies can help alleviate your pain. Alternative treatments are also widely popular. Think about joining a support group for fibromyalgia sufferers so you have someone to share your thoughts with.
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