U.S. Health Watch

* What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia, also sometimes called Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Fibromyositis, Fibrositis, or Myofascial pain syndrome, is a continual disorder characterized by extensive musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, tenderness in contained areas of the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips sometimes referred to as multiple tender points or pressure points. It may cause sleep disorders, morning firmness, irritable bowel syndrome and nervousness.

* What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Though the symptoms of fibromyalgia can be unbearable, they are not serious. Symptoms may differ, depending on stress level, physical action, time of day, and the weather.

Pain is the main symptom, found in almost 100 percent of cases, particularly, pain and tenderness in some areas of the body when pressure is applied.

Fibromyalgia is a constant condition and symptoms may be continuous or irregular for years. Some of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia consist of:

? Sleep problems
? Gastrointestinal such as abdominal pain, bloating and constipation
? Lack of feeling or irritations
? Unrelieved headaches
? Sharp sensitivity to odors, noises, bright lights, different foods, medication and
? Dysmenorrhea and painful sexual contact
? Repeated urination, strong urge to urinate, and painful urination
? Fast or irregular heart rate, and breathlessness
? Bulging sensation in the hands and feet, although swelling is not visible

* Are there different forms of fibromyalgia?

Yes, there are actually different forms of fibromyaligia. These forms are categorized according to the symptoms a person experiences. They are:

?Post traumatic ? there is a record of a single incident such as a car accident the pre-dates the pain syndrome. The accident commonly is an effect of an intense tremor and wounding of spinal muscles. Patients first complain of headaches and afterwards complain of arm or leg stiffness or itchiness or pain.

?Repetitive Traumatic – The idea of this is that a repeated injury can add up to the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

?Mood related fibromyalgia – usually, most fibromyalgics suffer this syndrome especially if they are suffering from extreme anxiety and pain. As a result, to this, fibromyalgics develop mood disorders such as depression.

?Hormonal abnormalities such as hyperthyroidism ? this commonly cause enlarged muscle tension, anxiety and sleep disorder (a perfect ingredient indicative of fibromyalgia).

* What causes fibromyalgia?

The causes for fibromyalgia are not identified. The condition creates unclear signs and symptoms connected with reduced blood flow to some parts of the brain and improved amounts of substance P believed to be a sensory neurotransmitter included in the message of pain, touch and temperature from the body to brain.

However, researches have found some other potential causes, includes the:

? Autonomic malfunctioning of the nervous system
? Constant sleep problems
? Psychological strain or distress
? Malfunctioning of the immune or endocrine system
? Upper spinal cord damage
? Viral or bacterial infection underwent

* Is fibromyalgia a real disease or just in my head?

Patients with fibromyalgias know that the pain is real and not just a fake. Fibromyalgia specialits also know their patients are experiencing real symptoms.

In addition, there is now evidence that fibromyalgia patients? intense feeling of pain is not just an illusion or imagination.

It is now probable to look at the brain and see accurately where it is active. This thorough brain scan is referred to as functional magnetic resonance imaging. There is no escaping the fact that there is malfunctioning sensory activity going on in the brain when Fibromyalgics undergo this series of brain scans.