Fibromyalgia Symptoms - Often Confused As Flu
Fibromyalgia symptoms are more often than not confused as being the influenza virus. Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic illness associated with widespread pain in the soft tissues of the body. This syndrome afflicts 6 million people in the United States. Most of the 6 million are women. The syndrome is chronic which means that it can last years if not a lifetime. The pain of fibromyalgia can affect any part of the body. This symptom is similar to having the flu for an extended period of time.
Besides widespread pain, fibromyalgia has other symptoms associated with it also. The other main symptom is fatigue. Remember how you felt the last time you had the flu or a severe cold. Fibromyalgics experience that run down, tired feeling the majority of the time. The fatigue is usually caused by the lack of deep sleep. Deep sleep is when the body restores itself. Constant sleep disturbances from widespread pain does not allow for those afflicted with fibromyalgia to enter into deep sleep. Thus, even after sleeping for ten to twelve hours, a fibromyalgic does not feel refreshed.
Chronic headaches are another common symptom of fibromyalgia. Typically, patients with fibromyalgia suffer from either tension headaches, migraines or a combination of both. Tension headaches are caused by the tensing of the muscles in the neck region. The muscle tension spreads until it eventually enters the temples. Migraines can affect any part of the head. They can also move from side to side. Migraines are caused by the constriction and sudden dilation of the blood vessels in the brain. As the vessels constrict blood flow is slowed. Once the vessels dilate, the blood rushes back causing pain.
Costochondritis is a less common, yet scary, symptom of fibromyalgia. Costochondritis causes chest pains that mimic a heart attack. These pains are caused by the inflammation of the cartilage between the rib cage and the sternum.
This inflammation can last months and chronic costochondritis is not uncommon among fibromyalgics.
Besides widespread pain, fibromyalgia has other symptoms associated with it also. The other main symptom is fatigue. Remember how you felt the last time you had the flu or a severe cold. Fibromyalgics experience that run down, tired feeling the majority of the time. The fatigue is usually caused by the lack of deep sleep. Deep sleep is when the body restores itself. Constant sleep disturbances from widespread pain does not allow for those afflicted with fibromyalgia to enter into deep sleep. Thus, even after sleeping for ten to twelve hours, a fibromyalgic does not feel refreshed.
Chronic headaches are another common symptom of fibromyalgia. Typically, patients with fibromyalgia suffer from either tension headaches, migraines or a combination of both. Tension headaches are caused by the tensing of the muscles in the neck region. The muscle tension spreads until it eventually enters the temples. Migraines can affect any part of the head. They can also move from side to side. Migraines are caused by the constriction and sudden dilation of the blood vessels in the brain. As the vessels constrict blood flow is slowed. Once the vessels dilate, the blood rushes back causing pain.
Costochondritis is a less common, yet scary, symptom of fibromyalgia. Costochondritis causes chest pains that mimic a heart attack. These pains are caused by the inflammation of the cartilage between the rib cage and the sternum.
This inflammation can last months and chronic costochondritis is not uncommon among fibromyalgics.
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1 comments:
In a recent book, The Truth About Fibromyalgia, compelling evidence is presented that it is a neurological disorder in which pain is not properly inhibited. Disrupted deep sleep prevents the limbic system from properly recharging, preventing adequate inhibition of pain and sympathetic nervous activity plus decreased libido. Therapy must be directed at the ensuing chemical imbalance and sleep impairment...a must read.
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