Characteristics of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is commonly marked by complete body pain for an extended period of time, including tender joints, muscles, tendons and soft tissues of the body. It has also been connected with fatigue, depression, headaches and sleep problems, just to name a few.

The most common symptoms of this disease are constant muscle pain and tender joints. These pains are a lot like arthritis pain, but there is no swelling, deformity or damage to the individual joints related to this disorder.

Most patients report waking up with stiffness and body aches. Soft-tissue pains, which can be identified as shooting, burning, emitting pains, can range from moderate to severe.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

Causes of fibromyalgia are unknown but there are a number of theories. Patients with a history of multiple injuries or sleeping issues, and those who have endured a very physical or psychologically stressful experience are very prone to build up to this disease.

Other speculations, which have not been officially proven, include genes that cause the patients to respond deeply to feelings that others would not consider painful, or an infectious microbe (virus) that sets off fibromyalgia.

Remedies for Fibromyalgia

For moderate instances of fibromyalgia, symptoms decrease and/or cease when certain stresses or lifestyle changes are put into practice. These changes, accompanied by medications and therapy, put most patients on their path to recovery.

In rare cases, anti-depressant medications are also prescribed for fibromyalgia. Anti-depressants, in low doses, have been found to lower depression, relax muscles, and cause the body to emit endorphins that assist in removing pain.

Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia

Other helpful treatments include:

• a well balanced diet,
• avoiding caffeine, to assist in improved sleep,
• and lifestyle changes to promote the quality of your sleep.
• Other herbal options include:
• fish oil,
• vitamins,
• and magnesium/malic acid combinations.

Exercise Benefits Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Since stress is a common factor in fibromyalgia, reducing daily stresses and improving personal coping skills may also lessen pain symptoms. Incorporating aerobic exercise for an enhanced fitness lifestyle is also suggested.

Starting off with short, low-impact exercises is the best approach. Gentle exercises slowly help stretch and stimulate sore muscles but don't cause greater discomfort.

This disease is both a chronic and common dilemma. The symptoms either sometimes improve or gradually get worse and continue over the course of months or years. There is no prevention of the disorder, but the previous years have given us improved treatment and management of this disease.