Symptoms And Effects Of Fibromyalgia In Women

Still, researchers aren’t sure why women have a higher risk for developing fibromyalgia than men. The only way to test for it is to rule out other possible conditions. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes fatigue, widespread pain, and tenderness throughout the body. The condition affects both sexes, although women are far more likely to develop fibromyalgia. Between 80 and 90 percent of people who get a diagnosis are women, according to the National Institutes of Health. Sometimes men receive a misdiagnosis because they may describe fibromyalgia symptoms differently. 




Women often report higher pain intensity than men. The reasons behind this may be related to hormones, immune system differences, or genes. Read on to learn how different fibromyalgia symptoms and what is the effects of fibromyalgia in women.





Symptoms of fibromyalgia

  


The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia are:

 


Widespread pain throughout the body

 


A heightened, painful response to pressure at many tender points on the body

 


Individuals with fibromyalgia may also experience these symptoms:

 


Moderate to severe fatigue

 


Difficulty sleeping

 


Joint stiffness

 


Headaches

 


Tingling, numbness or a burning or prickling sensation in hands and feet

 


Painful menstrual periods

 


Irritable bowel

 


Problems with thinking and memory

 


 


Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

 


There are no blood tests or X-rays that specifically point the doctor to the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Tests are often done to exclude other possible diagnoses. Other lab tests may be performed to rule out other possible conditions. Once a doctor completes diagnostic tests, the following criteria will be used to determine if a fibromyalgia diagnosis is appropriate:

 


Pain has been widespread in all four quadrants of the body

Pain has been present for at least three months

There is no other disease that would be causing these symptoms

 



Treatments

 


You may need to take several different types of medicines for fibromyalgia, including painkillers and antidepressants.

 


Other treatment options

 


These include:

 


swimming, sitting or exercising in a heated pool or warm water

 


an individually tailored exercise programme

 


cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – a talking therapy that aims to change the way you think about things, so you can tackle problems more positively

 


psychotherapy – a talking therapy that helps you understand and deal with your thoughts and feelings

relaxation techniques

 



psychological support – any kind of counselling or support group that helps you deal with issues caused by fibromyalgia

 


 


Alternative therapies

 


Some people with fibromyalgia try complementary or alternative treatments, such as:

 


acupuncture

massage

manipulation

aromatherapy

 


 


There's little scientific evidence that such treatments help in the long term. But some people find certain treatments help them relax and feel less stressed, allowing them to cope with their condition better.Research into some complementary medicines, such as plant extracts, has found they're not effective in treating fibromyalgia.

 




If you decide to use any complementary or herbal remedies, check with your GP first. Some remedies can react unpredictably with other medication or make it less effective.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Chiropractic Neck Adjustment

Image
  Neck pain is the worst kind of overachiever. It’s so common that it’s the fourth-leading cause of disability globally, following ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and lower respiratory infection. Nearly 30 percent experience it each year. And it’s not always centralized in the neck. It can radiate across your whole upper body, affecting your shoulders, arms and chest and can even cause headaches. Living with neck pain can be miserable, making it hard to focus and get through the day. Neck pain can be debilitating and may interfere with day-to-day life, including your ability to sleep, feel productive, and enjoy time with friends and family. And it affects more than just your physical body. Studies have shown that chronic pain can have an impact on a person’s mental health; up to 80% of patients with chronic pain are affected by severe depression. The Chiropractic Neck Adjustment Chiropractic neck adjustments, called cervical manipulation, loosen up the joints of the ce
Read more

Dealing with Arthritis in the Jaw

 Pain in the jaw joint could be the result of TMJ, or temporomandibular joint syndrome. Here's everything you need to know about this confusing condition, including home treatment options that can help ease symptoms.  It’s common for kids with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to have arthritis in their temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or jaw. Pediatric rheumatologists often check their patients’ jaws because symptoms can be silent or mild at first TMJ flare up  don’t just affect mouth, they also make entire upper body ache. Face will feel incredibly sore, as if  been grinning all day, Eyes will feel so tired that it’s hard to keep them open. It's challenging to use the computer or read books because the postures aggravate the neck  which is also affected by JA  and shoulders. Muscles are knotted and irritated. Teeth often ache as if I have an infection, and this usually happens in the middle of the night. Not to mention the typical fatigue and soreness that come with a flare.
Read more

TMJ Cause, Effects And Treatments

Image
The temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. TMJ disorders — a type of temporomandibular disorder or TMD — can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement. TMJ disorders have many signs and symptoms. It's often hard to know for sure if you have TMJ, because one or all of these symptoms can also be present for other problems. Your dentist can help make a proper diagnosis by taking a complete medical and dental history, conducting a clinical examination and taking appropriate X-rays.   Some of the most common TMJ symptoms include: Headaches (often mimicking migraines), earaches, and pain and pressure behind the eyes A clicking or popping sound when you open or close your mouth Pain brought on by yawning, opening the mouth widely or chewing Jaws that "get stuck," lock or go out Tenderness of the jaw muscles A sudden cha
Read more