| A top women's health issue is Fibromyalgia. There are | | | | According to the American College of Rheumatology |
| others. Others such as depression, lupus, breast | | | | (ACR), to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a person |
| cancer, ovarian cancer, anemia, and more. This is | | | | must have widespread pain lasting for at least three |
| about Fibromyalgia. | | | | months. Plus pain in at least 11 of 18 parts of the |
| Fibromyalgia is a real medical condition. All-over muscle | | | | body called "tender points." |
| pain and the pain may vary from mild to severe. The | | | | What are some of the Fibromyalgia facts? This |
| muscle pain from this condition is one of the most | | | | mostly affects women. Men can have fibromyalgia, |
| common types of chronic widespread pain. This | | | | too. This is not a psychological condition. People with |
| medical condition may be hard to diagnose. They | | | | this condition experience a heightened sensitivity to |
| may not know what is wrong with them or what is | | | | pain. Exercise, such as walking, or gently stretching |
| causing their pain. | | | | muscles may help ease the pain. Of course, before |
| There is a FDA-approved medicine for fibromyalgia. | | | | starting any exercise program please consult with |
| LYRICA is the first FDA-approved medicine to treat | | | | your doctor. |
| fibromyalgia in adults, 18 years and older. This helps | | | | Fibromyalgia can be treated. Family physicians, general |
| with the pain of the body. But this may not help | | | | internists, pain specialist, neurologist and |
| everyone. | | | | rheumatologists are the doctors who typically treat |
| What are the possible causes of fibromyalgia? | | | | fibromyalgia. Ask your healthcare insurance provider |
| Causes are still not known. Possibly changes in the | | | | for a list of doctors in your plan in a location near |
| central nervous system may be responsible. Nerves | | | | you. They can tell you what steps you need to take |
| can get damaged. And damaged nerves sometimes | | | | before you see a specialist. |
| send extra signals that healthy nerves would not and | | | | Find a doctor if you think you may have fibromyalgia. |
| therefore may cause pain. Perhaps emotional distress, | | | | Get a referral from a friend, family member, or |
| or viruses change the way the brain perceives pain. | | | | coworker they like and trust. Ask the doctor about |
| Causes are still not known. | | | | his or her experience with this ailment. |
| What causes nerve damage? Possibly a viral or | | | | Be prepared for your doctor visit. Know if you have |
| bacterial infection, even from physical damage to the | | | | been suffering from your pain for 3 months or more, |
| body or a body part. | | | | if you feel pain on both sides of the body above and |
| We may not know a lot about what causes | | | | below the waist, how many days have pain and |
| fibromyalgia, but we certainly know the symptoms. | | | | fatigue interfered with your daily living, know the |
| People with fibromyalgia can experience many | | | | areas of your body where you feel pain. Have you |
| symptoms. Some symptoms may include chronic | | | | not been able to sleep, concentrate, or work? What |
| widespread muscle pain, morning stiffness, fatigue, | | | | prescription medicines have you tried and did provide |
| muscle soreness, aches or dull pain, and of course | | | | any relief? There are many ways to be prepared by |
| sleeping problems. Many of the symptoms of | | | | knowing why you are there at the doctors office, be |
| fibromyalgia are also found in other conditions, such | | | | specific as possible. |
| as rheumatoid arthritis. | | | | |