Over the last century the diagnosis of Fybromyalgia has been difficult, the reason for this is that many of the symptoms for Fybromyalgia are found in other illnesses such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrom or CFS. Fybromyalgia also does not show up on x-rays or other laboratory tests. There are two main symptoms that are dependant on the diagnosis of Fybromyalgia and these are:
- Pain in all four quadrants of the body for three months.
- Pain in at least 11 out of the 18 tender point sites when they are pressed.
The cause of Fybromyalgia is thought to be from a traumatic event such as accident or shock, or a viral infection, or long term arthritic conditions. Sometimes there is no apparent trigger to the start of the illness.
The treatment for Fybromyalgia usually means medication to help combat some of the symptoms rather than combat Fybromyalgia as a whole.
The management of Fybromyalgia will mostly depend on the extent of the illness. Heat is essential to help relief the pain and relax the body. A warm shower or bath in the mornings can help with stiffness. Relaxation plays an important part in managing the symptoms of Fybromyalgia, as tension and stress causes the body to tighten and amplify the pain. A healthy diet can also improve the condition.
Fybromyalgia sufferers have good days and bad days, it is very important to listen to your body when it tells you to slow down and rest. Excercise can often help to strenghten muscles and keep the circulation active, but this should only be carried out on good days. Short walks and stretching can help too. On bad days gently moving the wrists and ankles can help with relaxing.
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