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What is Fibromyalgia (FMS)?
from: Maxx Family LifeFibromyalgia is a disorder that has been described as long ago as over 100 years ago. The old term ?rheumatism? identified individuals with similar symptoms. Fibrositis was a more modern term until medical experts in rheumatology (The American College of Rheumatology conducted a study in 16 centers in Canada and the United States) settled on the term Fibromyalgia and determined it's an actual syndrome.
Unfortunately there is no simple blood test to help physicians diagnose the illness. However, there are a number of symptoms that help with the diagnosis. The main symptom or patient complaint is muscle aches, stiffness and pain that can move throughout the body. Large numbers of people are being struck with this illness and a related illneses including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) as it's called in the U.K.
Fibromyalgia isn't arthritis and it isn't one condition or symptom, but is better described as a group or cluster of symptoms and conditions that can appear slowly or all at once. It occurs most frequently in middle age but also in teens and the elderly and predominantly in women. The symptoms and conditions suffered are different and unique to each individual but can also include symptoms of varying degrees such as sleep problems, bowel problems, headaches and or migraines, anxiety and or depression, concentration and or memory problems, tenderness to touch etc.
Fibromyalgia is a real illness that may severely impact your daily life, from having to quit your job to being unable to even do daily chores. In fact its impact on ones quality of life can be as bad as those suffering from cancer or other serious illnesses. It's a more serious disorder than many have perceived with new research in the British Medical Journal showing that a person with Fibromyalgia is at higher risk for breast or prostate cancer.
If you're suffering from a number of these symptoms, you need to seek professional help from those who won't dismiss your symptoms and who have a real understanding of the importance of not just treating the symptoms, but also the underlying causes and treating you as a whole person.
Fibromyalgia has been considered a "medically treatment" illness, in other words, not responding well to pharmaceuticals. Most studies have actually shown greater benefits from low impact exercise, aqua (pool) exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy (talk therapy). Some pain pills do provide a measure of relief but they don't get to the underlying problem.
The approach that can really achieve the most benefit is a different approach that takes into consideration the whole person with dietary adjustments and nutrition. The average physician isn't trained in this area and usually doesn't have the time to pursue this approach, although they recommend this approach with diabetics and patients with high blood pressure.
Studies prove that losing weight can lower blood pressure and blood sugar. However, in Fibromyalgia, although losing weight can help some patients, it usually isn't enough to reduce symptoms to a tolerable level. More is needed.
Clinics that specialize in diet and nutrition and herbs have found the greatest success. It would be in a Fibromyalgia patient's best interest to seek out an Integrative Medicine doctor or a Naturopath who have specialized training in this area.
Chronic Fatigue Fibromyalgia News
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