Revealing the Unknown Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia

In the United States, there are about 4 million people that suffer from fibromyalgia. That is a large number but it may actually be small, considering the fact that most might not even be aware that they have the condition.

When a person suffers from fibromyalgia, they are often asked about the symptoms they are experiencing. That is the way that doctors are able to diagnose the problem and, although there is some that is known about it, there is much that is not known about it.

Typically, this musculoskeletal disorder leads to a number of common symptoms such as mood problems, memory loss, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue. Although osteoarthritis is more commonly diagnosed, it is second on the list.

Fibromyalgia can also affect men although it is more likely to affect women. There is nothing that can be done to cure fibromyalgia but there may be some things that can be done to help deal with the symptoms successfully.

First of all, it’s a good idea to understand and identify the risk factors. There are three different things that may increase the possibility that you develop fibromyalgia.

1. Sex – Women are more likely to have fibromyalgia than men.

2. Family History – Does someone in your family suffer from fibromyalgia? You are at increased risk for developing it as well.

3. Rheumatoid Diseases – If you have another rheumatoid disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, you have a greater risk of developing fibromyalgia.

It is also good to identify the symptoms. Some of these are not very commonly known but WebMD reveals the following.

– Abdominal pain
– Chronic headaches
– Dryness in your mouth, nose, and eyes
– Hypersensitivity to cold and/or heat
– Inability to concentrate
– Incontinence
– Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
– Numbness or tingling in your fingers and feet
– Stiffness

As we discussed, there is no specific treatment for fibromyalgia. If your doctor identifies the symptoms, they may be able to find the cause that can be treated.

After a fibromyalgia diagnosis is given, some treatments are available that can reduce the symptoms. Some of those treatments include the following:

Pain Relievers – Over-The-Counter medications, as well as other drugs, can be prescribed for pain relief. They reduce the discomfort but don’t cure what is causing it.

Antidepressants – Some doctors feel that you can combat fatigue and pain more successfully when you are on an antidepressant medication.

Anti-Seizure Drugs – These strong prescription drugs may sometimes help you deal with the pain from fibromyalgia as well.