"If You Add To The Truth, You Subtract from It."...The Talmud

Fibromyalgia Signs and Symptoms

Have you been to numerous doctor's visits and have had countless tests. The doctors are stumped and completely clueless about the reason and origin of your pain and fatigue. You are starting to question your sanity. Well there may be an answer to this mysterious illness. Have you hear of Fibromyalgia. Yes, Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain.

Women are more likely to develop Fibromyalgia and there is a smaller percentage of men diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Nearly 2 percent of people of the United States are affected by this disorder. Fibromyalgia symptoms often begin after a physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases there appears to be no triggering event.

Signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary, depending on the weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day. The pain associated with Fibromyalgia is described as a constant dull ache, typically arising from muscles. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist. Fibromyalgia is characterized by additional pain when firm pressure is applied to specific areas of your body, called tender points. Tender point locations include:

Back of the head
Between shoulder blades
Top of shoulders
Front sides of neck
Upper chest
Outer elbows
Upper hips
Sides of hips
Inner knees

Other symptoms of Fibromyalgia are sleep disturbance, depression, endometriosis, Irritable bowel syndrome, Rheumatoid arthritis, Restless leg syndrome, and Lupus.

Doctors have not discovered the cause root of Fibromyalgia. There are some links that they believe are cross links. They are major infections, genetics, physical or emotional trauma.

Why does Fibromyalgia hurt? One theory is that people with fibromyalgia have a lower threshold for pain because of increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals. Researchers believe repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain (neurotransmitters). In addition, the brain's pain receptors seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become more sensitive, meaning they can overreact to pain signals.

Because of Fibromyalgia's vague symptoms, it is imperative to be vigilant in monitoring your health and knowing what precipitated or exacerbated any sudden changes. You are your main advocate. Become aware of your body and changes that may plague your body.

The Tuesday's health blog topic of the day is to be used as a source of initial introduction to a health issue or to reinforce what knowledge you may already have. This information should not be used as a medical substitute from the sound and professional advice that your physician can offer you. If this topic is of interest to you and you would like to research more information the link is http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079.

Peace and Blessings,

Tracey ReNissa