Understanding Just What Fibromyalgia Is - An Overview

Fibromyalgia is a term that was coined a while ago by doctors. It is a combination of Greek and Latin terminology:

Fibro: fibrous tissue (Latin)Myo: muscle (Greek)Algia: pain (Greek)

This is because fibromyalgia is a chronic, widespread condition that affects your fibrous tissues and muscles, causing pain. While no evidence of inflammation is present, there is a lot of tenderness, aching and stiffness that can be affected by noise, stress and environment. More women than men (80%) are affected with most of them being between 35 and 55-years-old.

The Top Ten Symptoms

The top 10 symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

? Joint and muscle pain and stiffness are the main symptoms

? Most people feel nervous, apprehensive and dejected, which can lead them to become depressed.

? Sleep disturbances - While it may be easy to fall asleep you may wake up several times throughout the night and thus only get a few good hours of sleep. This can leave you feeling fatigued the moment you wake up.

? The inability to concentrate; Forgetfulness - This is sometimes called "fibro fog" and it can make you completely unaware of your surroundings and recent conversations.

? A dry mouth, nose or dry eyes - This is really common. It may even lead you to have raging thirst.

? IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) - This is also quite common with the norm being either diarrhea or constipation.

? Headaches or migraines

? Chronic abdominal pain

? Balance problems, especially when walking (It is highly recommended that fibromyalgia patients use either a cane or a walking stick.)

? A tingling or numb feeling in your fingers and feet that is caused by hypersensitivity to the weather

?Extreme sensitivity to cold or heat that is also caused by changes in the temperature around you

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

It is difficult to diagnose a person with fibromyalgia because this syndrome doesn't show up in x-rays, scans or blood tests since there is no inflammation involved within your body. So, a diagnosis depends upon a physical exam in which there are 18 trigger (a.k.a. tender) points located throughout your body that whenever light pressure is applied to them the patient will experience pain. In order to be given a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, you must feel pain in 11 of the 18 trigger points. You must also have experienced widespread pain for three months or longer.

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Using Herbs To Treat Fibromyalgia - The Best Ones To Choose

External herbal remedies that are used for fibromyalgia work like an internal remedy would. This is because medicinal compounds are able to enter into your body through your skin. However, the difference here is that herbal remedies will bring you more immediate relief.

Herbal Remedy For Insomnia

Anyone who is suffering from insomnia may wish to try this herbal remedy. Wrap one ounce of chamomile and one ounce of lavender in cheesecloth. While you are soaking in a bath, allow these herbs to soak with you.

Herbal Remedy For Increased Circulation

In order to increase circulation and remove any toxins from your body by sweating, you should use the aforementioned recipe but with peppermint and rosemary instead of chamomile and lavender. Another option is to add four ounces of ginger powder to your running bath water so that this herb will dissolve.

Herbal Remedy For Pain

Cayenne powder is a useful topical remedy because it contains capsicum, which blocks the brain from releasing chemicals that cause pain sensations. You can easily make a poultice by mixing hot water with the powder to create a paste. Apply a small amount of oil to your skin and then apply the poultice. Leave this on for 10 to 20 minutes before washing it off. Cayenne can also be mixed with wintergreen oil (one part cayenne to three parts wintergreen oil) to increase your blood circulation and soothe away your pain.

Sample Daily Treatment with Herbs

In order to heal and get the relief you desire, you will need to take herbs for a period of time. An example of a daily herb treatment is as follows:

Morning: one cup of Echinacea and red clover tea - enhances your immune system, relaxes tension, removes toxinsMid-morning: one or two cups of dandelion and meadowsweet tea - provides more cleansing and nutrition; manages inflammation; protects your liverThroughout the day: chamomile tea or ginger tea - relieves pain and anxiety; maintains good circulation; continues removing toxinsNight: a chamomile and lavender bath; an infusion with Jamaican dogwood, passion flower and valerian - helps with insomnia

You can modify this with different herbs and to suit your specific needs. Just remember that herbs are nature's drugs and thus are beneficial whenever they are used carefully. It is always a good idea to consult with your doctor or an herbalist when using them.

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The Best Long Term Fibromyalgia Treatment Available Today

Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-term) condition. It causes pain in your muscles, tendons and ligaments. Some medical researchers believe that it is caused by fatigue. However, whenever you are looking for the best treatment method, it is important to have a sure diagnosis first.

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

There are specific criteria set forth by the American College of Rheumatology that is used in diagnosing fibromyalgia. They include:

Widespread pain lasting three months or moreA minimum of 11 tender points (specific points on your body that when touched cause pain)Tests need to be done to eliminate other possible reasons that you are feeling this wayA complete medical history needs to be reviewed

Once you do receive a fibromyalgia diagnosis you will need to work closely with your doctor in order to find the best treatment for you. There are several options whenever it comes to medications (i.e. analgesics, antidepressants, anti-seizure medications) but you need to take a look at their potential side effects before making your choice.

Medications For Fibromyalgia

It is important to take a look at each of the different types of medications that are used for treating fibromyalgia. These include:

Analgesic pain relievers, which include over-the-counter drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (i.e. ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen) and prescription-strength medications too (i.e. Tramadol)Antidepressants (i.e. Amitriptyline, Duloxetine, Milnacipran) can help you sleep better and control painAnti-seizure medications (i.e. Gabapentin, Pregabalin), which were originally used in the treatment of epilepsy, can help with pain relief

Physical Therapy

Some doctors suggest that their patients undergo physical therapy. These exercises can help with both muscle balance and pain reduction. Hot and cold therapy is also sometimes used to help reduce pain. Some patients have also discovered that stretching exercises do help too.

Stress Management

Stress management is also really important. This can be done by meditation, tai chi or deep breathing exercises. Some patients will also need to cut back on strenuous activities. What it really comes down to is understanding your physical limits and acting accordingly. Of course, adequate sleep is also an important part of avoiding the severe fatigue that stress makes worse.

Mild Exercise

While you may think that exercise would be counterintuitive, it can actually bring relief. Some of the gentle exercises that are recommended include swimming, walking and tai chi. Initially this may make your symptoms worse but over time it will help to reduce them.

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Fibromyalgia Symptoms Checklist - Know Now If You Have Fibromyalgia

The American College of Rheumatology estimates that between 2 to 4% of the population is afflicted by fibromyalgia today. There are several things that are used in properly diagnosing this syndrome.

Symptoms Associated With Fibromyalgia

No two patients with fibromyalgia will present with the same symptoms. However, there are some symptoms that do commonly occur within the majority of patients. These symptoms include:

Widespread muscle painCrampingSpasmsTender points (these are used as one of the many diagnostic tools)Fatigue (can be moderate to severe but it affects approximately 90% of patients)Decreased energyNumbness or tingling in arms and legsSleep disorders such as insomniaProblems with memory and concentrationDifficulty completing simple mental tasksSensitivity to bright light (photophobia)Sensitivity to various medicationsSensitivity to heat and coldSensitivity to odors and fragrancesSensitivity to noiseSensitivity to foodsDepression (approximately 25% of patients deal with this)Abdominal painEither diarrhea or constipationIncontinence (an increase in urinary frequency or urgency)An irritable bladderJaw and facial tendernessTMJHeadaches or migrainesFeeling either dizzy or light-headedPainful menstruationReduced ability to tolerate exerciseStiffness after being in one position too long or whenever you first wake up

Fibromyalgia Tender Points

One of the diagnostic tools that are used in diagnosing fibromyalgia are the tender points. In order to be diagnosed as having fibromyalgia you will need to have at least 11 of the following 18 tender points. According to the Mayo Clinic these are as follows:

Back of your headBetween your shoulder bladesTop of your shouldersFront sides of your neckUpper chestOuter elbowsUpper hipsSides of your hipsInside your knees

Related Health Concerns

Since so many of fibromyalgia's symptoms can be indications of other health concerns, it is possible that you may have something other than fibromyalgia or a health condition that overlaps it. This is something that your doctor will need to consider, which is why they may require additional testing before making a diagnosis. Some of these other health conditions include:

Chronic fatigue syndromeDepressionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS)TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)LupusEndometriosisRheumatoid arthritisMigrainesOsteoarthritisRestless Leg SyndromeDiabetes

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