{"id":419,"date":"2022-03-21T01:40:11","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T05:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/?p=419"},"modified":"2022-03-21T01:40:11","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T05:40:11","slug":"common-signs-and-symptoms-of-fibromyalgia-t2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/common-signs-and-symptoms-of-fibromyalgia-t2\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Common Signs And Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Pain Center<\/p><\/div>\n

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain all throughout the body, sometimes also referred to as widespread pain. This disorder is usually accompanied by fatigue, as well as cognitive, sleep, and mood issues. Researchers believe that this condition magnifies the sensation of pain because of the way the brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals.<\/h6>\n
Oftentimes, people tend to confuse fibromyalgia symptoms with those typical of joint inflammation or arthritis. Some people with fibromyalgia are also more sensitive to pain that those without the condition. This is also referred to as abnormal pain perception processing<\/a>.<\/h6>\n
Many times, symptoms start after a certain type of event like a physical trauma, infection, significant psychological stress, and surgery. Other times, even without a particular triggering event, symptoms can slowly accumulate over time.<\/h6>\n
About 4 million US adults suffer from fibromyalgia, which is around 2% of the adult population. Moreover, women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men. More often than not, it is accompanied by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression.<\/h6>\n
Oftentimes, physicians don\u2019t necessarily consider fibromyalgia during a patient\u2019s first few assessments since pain is a common symptom of a variety of other health conditions. This is also the reason why diagnosis normally takes around five years for patients to be diagnosed properly with fibromyalgia. Understanding the kind of pain, as well as the actual location, alongside other symptoms may help your doctor arrive at the proper diagnosis sooner.<\/h6>\n
While there is no known cause for fibromyalgia, when diagnosed properly, it can be treated and managed effectively. There are a number of medications that can help control the symptoms, while relaxation, exercise and other stress-reducing activities are said to help as well.<\/h6>\n
Here are 12 of the most common signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia.<\/h6>\n

1. Pain<\/h2>\n

The most common symptom of fibromyalgia is pain. Many times, it is referred to as widespread pain, and it is often described as a continuous dull ache that has lasted for at least three months or more. Moreover, to be called \u201cwidespread pain\u201d it also should be felt on both side of the body, as well as above and below the waist, at times shifting from place to place as well, with the doctor checking to see if you meet the criteria for a diagnosis<\/a>. Patients shouldn\u2019t have other conditions, such as arthritis, which could also explain the pain.<\/h6>\n
Pain from fibromyalgia is found in the muscles and other soft tissues, like the joints. But what makes it different from other health conditions is that it can affect different areas all over the body, such as the neck, middle and lower back, shoulders, arms, hips and legs. While some feel it all over the body, others only feel it in particular muscles, such as their back and legs. The pain is also described in various ways such as aching, burning, throbbing, stabbing, soreness, shooting, and stiffness.<\/h6>\n
In addition, the pain can be so intense that it keeps someone home and unable to participate in other activities. A National Health Interview survey<\/a> conducted back in 2012 found that at least \u201887 percent of participants reported having pain on most days or every day of their lives.\u2019 While the pain intensity can also vary depending on the time of day, it can also sometimes be worse due to exercise, stress, weather, and a lack of sleep.<\/h6>\n

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2. Fatigue<\/h2>\n
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Nitro<\/p><\/div>\n

Another common symptom of fibromyalgia is fatigue, and it is said that this has one of the biggest impacts on the lives of the people diagnosed with this debilitating disease. That\u2019s because it isn\u2019t just an ordinary type of fatigue, but a \u2018bone-weary exhaustion that drains your body of energy and turns every activity into a chore.\u2019 In fact, UpToDate<\/a> shares that at least 90 percent of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia complain that it\u2019s constant fatigue, making it hard to get through even the simplest tasks of everyday life.<\/h6>\n

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3. Lack of Energy<\/h2>\n
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Life Hack<\/p><\/div>\n

Another common sign of fibromyalgia is a lack of energy. Although similar to fatigue, a lack of energy can also be described as the utter feeling of debilitation or basically not wanting to engage in any sort of activity, physical or not. Some doctors explain that one reason why patients with fibromyalgia are constantly tired is the result of the body trying to deal with the feelings of pain, leaving them exhausted and just entirely wiped out. Some suggest changing one\u2019s diet, exercising regularly, and having a bedtime routine to best deal with the issues that come along with the condition in order to help ease this symptom.<\/h6>\n

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4. Having Trouble Sleeping<\/h2>\n
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MVPVHC<\/p><\/div>\n

Have you ever lay in bed at night, completely fatigued but yet somehow, you can\u2019t seem to fall asleep? What comes next is usually one of the worst nights of sleep and waking up completely exhausted. When it comes to fibromyalgia, many patients feel this way every day because their health issues leave them in pain, sometimes also suffering from restless legs syndrome<\/a> and even sleep apnea<\/a>, all conditions that often disrupt sleep. This makes getting the daily recommended 7 or more hours of sleep<\/a> at night for adults very difficult, leaving patients feeling exhausted, irritable, and drained all the time.<\/h6>\n

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5. Cognitive Difficulties<\/h2>\n
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Deposit Photos<\/p><\/div>\n

Also known as \u201cfibro fog,\u201d cognitive difficulties that arise due to fibromyalgia is another common sign for people diagnosed with this crippling disease. Many times, patients are left feeling that they lack the ability to focus, and they\u2019re not able to concentrate or pay attention precisely on the mental tasks set before them, or they even develop memory problems as a result. Many times, their jobs are affected, making it harder to stay focused and keep up with their day-to-day requirements. Even regular chores at home can become too much to handle at times too.<\/h6>\n

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6. Tension or Migraine Headaches<\/h2>\n
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NM<\/p><\/div>\n

According to The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association<\/a>, Inc. around 50 to 70 percent of patients diagnosed with this condition suffer from regular tension or migraine headaches. Moreover, many patients define their headaches as severe, occurring at least two times a week. Some also share that their headaches have a \u2018migraine component\u2019 to them, with the pain which stems mostly from the shoulders, neck and head muscles being responsible for the headaches and migraines. They tend to be draining too, making it difficult to accomplish tasks and finish most of their necessary tasks all throughout the day.<\/h6>\n

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7. Depression or Anxiety<\/h2>\n
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WordPress<\/p><\/div>\n

Another common symptom of fibromyalgia is depression or anxiety, or sometimes both at the same time. Adults diagnosed with this health condition \u2018are more than 3 times more likely to have major depression\u2019 than those without this issue. In fact, there are higher death rates from suicide and injuries among patients with fibromyalgia. This is also why screening, proper diagnosis, and treatment for these conditions are very important because the earlier it\u2019s diagnosed, the faster it can be treated.<\/h6>\n

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8. Muscle Cramps, Twitching or Spasms<\/h2>\n
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Body Balance Physical Therapy<\/p><\/div>\n

People that have been positively diagnosed with fibromyalgia explain that their muscles often feel like they are overworked or have been pulled. There are also times when the muscles twitch and cramp, or they develop body aches like what they feel when they have a bad case of the flu. There are also times when the muscles spasm, and while they are similar to cramps or twitching, spasms usually last much longer, making it even more painful for the patient suffering from fibromyalgia since they are highly sensitive to pain.’<\/h6>\n

9. Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)<\/h2>\n
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Patient Pop<\/p><\/div>\n

Fibromyalgia tends to affect the muscles and joints, a number of patients that have been diagnosed with temporomandibular joint dysfunction<\/a>, otherwise known as TMJ. In fact, statistics show that TMJ affects \u2018one-quarter of fibromyalgia patients,\u2019 while showing the typical symptoms such as popping or clicking sounds whenever they move their mouths. There is also accompanying facial pain and muscle pain in the neck and head. Usually, TMJ goes away on his own, but medications such as pain relievers and muscle relaxants can help alleviate the discomfort as well.<\/h6>\n

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10. Tingling or Numbness in the Hands and Feet<\/h2>\n
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Yoga Medicine<\/p><\/div>\n

Another sign of fibromyalgia is having feelings of tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, and other times in the arms, legs and sometimes even in the face. Since these symptoms are common for other types of chronic health diseases, doctors usually have patients undergo a series of tests to rule out other health issues before they can make a positive diagnosis for fibromyalgia. It\u2019s important to note how often the tingling or numbing occur, as well as if it intensifies as time goes by.<\/h6>\n

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11. Itching, Burning or Other Skin Issues<\/h2>\n
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Everyday Health<\/p><\/div>\n

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves are all a part of the central nervous system, which is responsible for transmitting information to the different parts of the body. With fibromyalgia, the brain sometimes sends \u201citch\u201d signals to the nerves in the skin, which can later on form a rash. This can also make it overly sensitive, which triggers a feeling of itchiness or a crawling sensation on the surface or the skin. And if you already happen to have dry skin, it can even make the itching and rash worse.<\/h6>\n

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12. Irritable Bowel Syndrome<\/h2>\n
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Cloudinary<\/p><\/div>\n

A whopping 40 to 70 percent of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia also have symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome<\/a> or IBS. They tend to encounter such conditions as diarrhea and constipation, bloating, gas, belly pain, and nausea. Both fibromyalgia and IBS have very common characteristics such as pain symptoms that can\u2019t be explained by structural or biochemical abnormalities, disturbed sleep and fatigue, both are associated with stress, and both affect more women than men. How the two are related isn\u2019t exactly completely understood but pain experts share that the connection is more of how each condition causes pain in different body areas over a patient\u2019s lifetime.<\/h6>\n

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13. When To See a Doctor<\/h2>\n
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Penn Medicine<\/p><\/div>\n

There are a few other less common or unusual signs of fibromyalgia such as bladder pain, excess sweating, sensitivity to light, noise or temperature, just to name a few, but they are not as widespread among patients as the first twelve symptoms we just mentioned. But considering that it takes a few years and a battery of tests to diagnose fibromyalgia, it\u2019s important to take note of your body and the different sensations you may be feeling at all times. Regardless of having just one or two symptoms, or most of the ones on this list, it\u2019s always important to consult a doctor or medical professional whenever something is amiss. Like with any other sickness, disease or health issue, the faster you seek medical attention and get the treatment that you need, the quicker you can get yourself back to a better and healthier lifestyle.<\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain all throughout the body, sometimes also referred to as widespread pain. This disorder is usually accompanied by fatigue, as well as cognitive, sleep, and mood issues. Researchers believe that this condition magnifies the sensation of pain because of the way the brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals. Oftentimes, people tend to confuse fibromyalgia symptoms with those typical of joint inflammation or arthritis. Some people with fibromyalgia are also more sensitive to pain that those without the condition. This is also referred to as abnormal pain perception processing. Many times, <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":406,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/419"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/419\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=419"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/health.awesomejelly.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}