Fibromyalgia Symptoms

The main fibromyalgia symptoms are the presence of multiple tender points, fatigue, and extensive, chronic pain in the tissues of the muscles, tendons (which connect muscle to bone) and ligaments (which connect bones, muscles, and tendons).

Additional fibromyalgia symptoms may include: Irritable bowel and bladder, headaches, facial pain and migraines, restless legs syndrome, impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes, dry mouth, anxiety, depression, impaired coordination, dizziness, vision problems, heightened sensitivity to odors, noise, light, touch and weather change. All fibromyalgia symptoms can be made worse by stress.

Fibromyalgia (fi-bro-my-AL-juh) Syndrome is a chronic pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. The name fibromyalgia is derived from the Latin roots "fibros" - fibrous tissue; "myo" - muscle; "al" - pain; and "gia" - condition of.

The defining fibromyalgia symptom is pain in the connective tissues of the body such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Fibromyalgia symptoms are different from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis because they do not involve the joints. The most common sites of fibromyalgia pain are the neck, back, shoulders, pelvic girdle, and hands.

In 1987, the American Medical Society (AMA) defined fibromyalgia syndrome as a musculoskeletal illness and a potential cause of disability. The AMA now regards fibromyalgia as a legitimate clinical entity with identifiable and specific symptoms.

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Widespread musculoskeletal pain, tender points, and fatigue characterize fibromyalgia syndrome. According to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), fibromyalgia syndrome affects 3 to 6 million Americans, 80% occurring in women between the ages of 35 and 55, although, women, men and children of any age may be affected.

Currently there are no laboratory tests available for diagnosing fibromyalgia syndrome. Diagnosis depends on self-reported symptoms, a physical examination and an accurate manual tender point examination. Proper implementation of the exam determines the presence of multiple tender points at characteristic locations.

Even though many fibromyalgia symptoms overlap with the symptoms of other conditions, the presence of other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, does not rule out a fibromyalgia syndrome diagnosis.

Fibromyalgia symptoms are similar to symptoms of muscle, joint, nerve, bone, and gland diseases, as well as, infection and cancer. Muscles and nerves should be tested using EMG (electromyography) and NCV (nerve conduction velocity).

A whole health approach to lifestyle changes can effectively treat and reverse fibromyalgia. Conventional medical intervention to aid pain relief, sleep disturbances and psychological support may be only part of an effective treatment program.

In addition to lifestyle improvements, complementary approaches are proving very useful fibromyalgia treatments. These complementary options include: massage therapy, acupressure, acupuncture, trigger point therapy and chiropractic care. Self-monitoring, self-education, and self-care serve as the starting points for all fibromyalgia treatment choices.

The lifestyle factors to be examined as possible fibromyalgia treatment options include...

sleeping well

detoxifying the body

eating healthy

nutritional supplements

appropriate exercise

stress reduction and pain management

To reverse fibromyalgia symptoms, follow a diet based on fresh, healthy, unadulterated food and water. The fibromyalgia diet requires you to pay attention to what you eat, how often, how much, and how well you eat. The following healthy eating guidelines should form the basis of your fibromyalgia diet and be slowly incorporated into your lifestyle...

Increase the Food Choice Variety and Combinations - Eat a wide variety of foods in a variety of amounts and combinations to help ensure that you are ingesting a wider range of essential vitamins, minerals and fatty acids

Incorporate More Organic Food in Your Diet - Avoid vegetables, fruits and meats that are artificially produced with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers and steroids. The chemicals applied to the plants often destroy essential soil microbes in an already deplete soil environment, resulting in plants that have a drastically reduced nutritional value.

Eat small meals throughout the day as often as every three hours Keep nutritious snacks handy such as: raw fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, whole grain bread sticks, whole grain crackers, unsalted seeds and nuts.

Maintain a balanced food composition of complex carbohydrates, healthy plant fats, essential fatty acids, lean animal protein and vegetable protein.

Avoid junk food and fast food.

Drink 8 ten ounce glasses of purified and/or distilled water daily.

Remove as many artificial ingredients, additives, and chemicals from your nutritional plan as possible.

Avoid caffeine, sugar and as many unnecessary drugs as possible.

Monitor your food intolerances and allergic reactions - If your body overreacts to certain foods, it could worsen conditions ranging from digestive troubles (gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea) to fatigue, headache or migraine, joint pain, mood disorders, muscle aches, and skin problems.

For new information on fibromyalgia we recommend Dr. Brice Vickery's research.

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