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Sunday, August 11, 2013

How to Identify Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that involves the muscles, tendons and joints of any individual that causes chronic pain. Affecting the musculature of the upper torso, hips or thighs, the condition causes flare-ups that may last for years. Changes in weather or hormone levels as well as stress often aggravate symptoms, so learning how to identify the symptoms of fibromyalgia not only helps an individual to seek appropriate health care, but to help avoid situations that may aggravate symptoms. Fibromyalgia most often affects men, women and children of all ages, women between 20 and 50 years of age are afflicted most. Causes of the disease are unknown to date, though research into causes and treatments are ongoing.

Instructions

    1

    Pay attention to your body and what it is trying to tell you. Often, after exercising too vigorously, we might feel as if we have been run over by a truck, but those suffering from fibromyalgia often feel as if they hurt all over, all the time. While pain is often felt in the joints where tendons, muscle and bones join, many individuals also feel pain in the chest, low back as well as thighs and arms.

    2

    Take note of sleeping habits. Do you or a loved one have difficulty sleeping because of chronic pain? Fatigue is also a common side-effect of fibromyalgia, and may lead to changes in mood, temperament and behavior.

    3

    Touch your joints and pay attention to any sensations of tenderness, such as is experienced from bruising. Tender spots are common around joint areas like the wrists, knees, elbows and hip joints.

    4

    Pay attention to how you feel in the morning when you get up. Are you chronically stiff and sore? Do you see swollen joints anywhere? Do your hands or feet feel numb or tingly, as if they are 'falling asleep'?

    5

    Take note of your emotional state. Are you depressed or anxious about your physical well-being? Anxiety or depression may lead to headaches and other changes in the body, including digestion changes in urination or elimination.

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