If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning or are in a state of feeling perpetually sick, fibromyalgia may be the reason.
It is a disorder of the muscles, joints and fibrous tissues that often leave people in a state of pain, fatigue, and with memory loss.
It can affect your home life, career and the relationships you have if, left untreated.
Fibromyalgia affects between 2-8% of the global population and can occur at any age. It is often more common in women than it is in men.
Over time, fibromyalgia could worsen and reduce the quality of someone's personal and professional life.
Know the signs and don't live with this disorder without seeking help.
1. Persistent Widespread Body Pain
This is one of the main symptoms of fibromyalgia. Sufferers experience persistent body aches that are spread out over 18 specific parts of the body, including the collarbone, back of the neck, and insides of the elbows. These body parts are sore when they are touched or lightly pressed on.
2. Fatigue
The second most common symptom of fibromyalgia is persistent fatigue. Unlike regular fatigue, which may be described as a state of exhaustion, fibromyalgia-related fatigue goes along with feelings of depression and social withdrawal.
3. Trouble Sleeping
People who have fibromyalgia have difficulty falling asleep and when they do, they have trouble maintaining a sound sleep, waking up feeling unrefreshed and with very little energy. Struggling with sleep is a double-edged sword for fibromyalgia patients. Pain inhibits sleep, but on the other hand lack of sleep increases pain. Improving the quality of sleep can lessen the pain related to fibromyalgia.
4. Headaches
Occurring in half of the patients, headaches are a common symptom related to fibromyalgia. 76% of patients report headaches as a regular symptom, with 84% reporting intense headaches and 63% experiencing migraines.
It has been shown that people who suffer from migraines are at a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia.
5. Depression & Anxiety
It's hard to keep your spirits high when you are in constant pain. Depression in fibromyalgia patients pose a serious risk of intensifying other symptoms. Along with affecting their pain threshold, depression will wreck havoc on their mental well-being including making a person feel hopeless.
As a companion to depression, anxiety is also common with fibromyalgia sufferers. Almost 75% of fibromyalgia patients have been diagnosed with anxiety and this can cause them to have an enhanced perception of chronic body pain.
6. Sensory Overload
Often people suffering from fibromyalgia are sensitive to cold temperatures, noise, bright lights and movement. A study suggests that this condition is associated with a global central nervous system augmentation in sensory processing.
7. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, also known as IBS is a disorder that presents with symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain.
IBS and fibromyalgia often occur together since both conditions the nervous system becomes more sensitive and your brain's pain perceptions are higher.
8. Memory and Concentration Problems
A popular term coined by fibromyalgia patients is "Fibro Fog". This symptom may cause people to forget or mix up details including people's names, dates and events. It's also noticed that sufferers have a significantly reduced attention span. This mental impairment may increase other symptoms such as lack of sleep, depression, anxiety and body pain.
Do you know anyone that suffers from these symptoms?
Source: Top 10 Remedies.
