Fibromyalgia is one of those medical conditions which comprise so many ordinary and common symptoms which all women suffer from at some point in their lives, that it is often overlooked as a diagnosis by doctors. Women who suffer from fibromyalgia complain of a variety of symptoms which also point to a wide number of other conditions and illnesses, known to the medical profession as non-specific symptoms. Fortunately for fibromyalgia sufferers, there is one test which is universally seen to be the symptom which actually confirms the diagnosis.

Listed below are the 10 common symptoms which fibromyalgia sufferers complain of:

1. Extreme tiredness (including the need to sleep during the day);
2. Fatigue from even the slightest exertion;
3. Muscle pain throughout the body which ranges from mild to serious and is variously described as burning, aching, gnawing, stiff or sore;
4. A total lack of energy and the feeling that they are unable to do any physical exercise at all;
5. Bad sleep patterns, waking up a few times during the night and still being very tired in the morning;
6. Depression, mood swings and anxiety;
7. Headaches;
8. Lack of concentration and low productivity;
9. Stomach bloating and/or distension of the stomach;
10. Constipation and diarrhea constantly alternating together with cramps and pain; and Urinary urgency – needing to go to the toilet frequently and urgently.

As can easily be seen from the above list, the symptoms listed are all described by most women from time to time and it is just as clear that for a doctor, these symptoms could point to a huge number of illnesses and conditions affecting women of all ages, ranging from the menopause to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – and everything in between.

The clincher when it comes to concluding a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is that there are certain spots on the woman’s body which, when pressed, are extremely tender, to the extent that the patient may jump from the pain when these points are touched. The spots which are depressed to confirm the diagnosis are to be found on the upper chest, the elbows and the knees.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition which affects the soft tissues between the bones and the muscles, such as the tendons and ligaments. The condition is described as being similar in many ways to arthritis (which affects the joints), but in the case of fibromyalgia, it is not the bones which are affected, but the soft tissues.

There is no specific cure for fibromyalgia, but the various aspects of the condition may be medicated separately to provide ongoing relief for the sufferer. These medications include sleeping pills, because if one has a decent night’s sleep one has a better chance of feeling stronger and coping; and, as sufferers often complain of being depressed, antidepressant drugs are prescribed in order to alleviate this symptom and to aid in establishing good sleeping habits. For those women who would prefer to take the natural route, fibromyalgia is known to respond very well to acupuncture.

Author Bio: For more information please visit our HAZWOPER Training and JCAHO Training websites.

Category: Advice
Keywords: sleeping pills,Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ,anxiety,medical profession ,burning,Symptoms of Fibromyalgi