Alarming Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

You wake up each day feeling fatigue and you hurt all over, with numbness and tingling in your hands and feet; and you probably think you might have arthritis. But you also suffer from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) having bouts of diarrhea and constipation, you feel bloated and suffer chronic headaches. These symptoms could be associated to a disorder called Fibromyalgia. But the medical society has not yet known what really causes it. Researchers theorized that it may be due to injury or trauma affecting the central nervous system, disturbances in the sleep pattern, bacterial or viral infection. Psychological stress and hormonal imbalance may also be possible causes. But all of these are just theories that some doctors still routinely dismiss fibromyalgia as being "in the patient's mind"

According to the National Fibromyalgia Association there are about 10 million Americans suffering from the disorder. It occurs most likely in women than in men and tends to develop during early or middle adulthood. However, children and older adults may also have it .Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain throughout the body, often stabbing, throbbing and nagging in the neck area, shoulders, back and hips. It is described as deep muscle pain that is tender to the touch and is worse in the mornings. It is accompanied with stiffness and may persist for months. The symptoms include abdominal complaints like diarrhea or constipation, headaches and facial pain. Sometimes depression sets in with mood swings, anxiety and inability to stay focused. You may experience disturbances in your sleep, such as sleep apnea and muscle spasms in the legs. The fatigue that you might feel in the mornings can be from mild to incapacitating. Although this disorder is not considered to be life threatening, if left untreated can be very debilitating.

Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because no blood test or X-ray can tell you if you have it. Oftentimes laboratory exam appears to be normal. However, doctors may still want to do some blood test and X-ray to rule out other illnesses. Doctors diagnose by taking history and physical examination. Physical exam is done by applying pressure to tender points. There are 18 of these sensitive spots and if a patient feels discomfort or pain at 11 or more of these points, he or she will be considered positive for fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is indeed physically and mentally devastating. If you happen to have a loved one, a member of your family, a friend or anyone you know suffering from it, it is but compelling to seek medical advice and begin proper treatment immediately.