What is Fibromyalgia

What is Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes long-term, chronic, pain and muscle fatigue.

People with this condition may also experience the following symptoms:

  • Trouble with sleeping
  • Stiffness, especially in the morning
  • Painful menstruation
  • Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
  • “Brain fog,” which refers to difficulties with memory and thinking
  • Sensitivity to temperatures (too hot or too cold)
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises

Risk factors

A combination of factors could cause fibromyalgia.

  • Family in the past or present who suffer
  • Accident trauma. injury or PTSD
  • Infection
  • Being a female, as the condition is twice as common in women than in men
  • Being overweight

Fibromyalgia can take over or interfere with a person’s daily and work life, so it’s important to be sympathetic.

All of the symptoms and a lack of understanding from others can create anxiety and sometimes depression.

Fibromyalgia and the importance of Sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for most people however for those suffering with fibromyalgia it’s imperative to get rest as it will help to battle fatigue. for managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Practices that can help people get good-quality sleep include:

  • Minimise napping
  • Avoid screen time before bed. going to bed and waking up at the same time each day
  • Going to bed at the same time will help routine.
  • Don’t eat a big meal before going to bed
  • Avoid any caffeinated drinks and alcohol before going to bed.

Diet and Supplements

Eating a varied healthy diet, doing regular gentle exercise and avoiding stimulating foods, drinks and drugs can help to improve mood and lessen stress.

According to scientists who have been investigating the effectiveness of dietary supplements in relieving fibromyalgia symptoms.

These supplements include:

  • Vitamin D
  • Magnesium
  • Soy
  • S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)
  • creatineAcupuncture is a type of Chinese traditional medicine in which practitioners insert small needles into specific trigger points on the body.

    Some people believe that these needles change blood flow and chemical levels, which can help relieve the pain and discomfort of fibromyalgia.

    Spa Therapy

    A small study looking at the use of flotation therapy to treat fibromyalgia found that it provided temporary symptom relief.

    Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

    Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) uses magnets to activate specific parts of the brain and stimulate nerve cells. It has approval for treating some forms of depression also.

    One negative is that some people have reported headaches after treatment.

    Final Note

    Anyone who has pain that does not have a definite cause should see their doctor and discuss pain management., plus a doctor can recommend suitable treatment and self-help methods to relieve symptoms.

     

Image resource: