| Are you experiencing chronic pain in your muscles and | | | | cause is unknown and there can be so many |
| joints without having any history of trauma or injury? | | | | symptoms that mimic other conditions. |
| This may have left you wondering what's behind this | | | | The approach that doctors take is to conduct |
| widespread pain? Well, you are not alone in your | | | | several tests and rule out other possibilities for the |
| dilemma and if you've been experiencing this pain for | | | | symptoms. Among the possible conditions that have |
| 3 months or more it may be worth asking your | | | | similar symptoms are rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. |
| doctor about diagnosing fibromyalgia. | | | | This is why it is vital to tell your doctor about all the |
| Fibromyalgia is condition, which is characterized by | | | | symptoms you're having because what may be |
| widespread, chronic pain throughout various points in | | | | unrelated to you could in fact be very important. |
| the body. Sometimes, the pain will come and go or | | | | Due to the difficulties over diagnosis, the American |
| move from one area to another, puzzling the person | | | | College of Rheumatology drew up diagnosing |
| as to where it comes from. | | | | guidelines that can help physicians in diagnosing |
| In addition to the widespread pain that can be felt in | | | | fibromyalgia. Some doctors however do not follow |
| the body's muscles, joints and tendons, fibromyalgia | | | | these to the letter because they feel that the |
| is also often accompanied by a sleeping disorder | | | | guidelines are too strict. |
| called alpha wave. This disturbs the sleep through | | | | Still, it is worth looking into especially when |
| increased brain activity that is similar to wakefulness. | | | | determining if you have fibromyalgia or not. According |
| This results to fatigue and tiredness because people | | | | to the criteria set up, fibromyalgia may be diagnosed |
| with fibromyalgia do not experience the kind of | | | | if widespread pain reaches a period of three |
| restorative deep sleep that they should have. There | | | | consecutive months or more. |
| will also be an increased sensitivity to the way pain is | | | | There should also be a minimum of 11 out of 18 |
| felt. | | | | specific different points in the body that are tender |
| Most patients with fibromyalgia feel pain easily even | | | | and painful when touched with light pressure (4kg of |
| with just a slight pressure. They are more sensitive | | | | pressure). |
| to pain compared to other individuals. This is the | | | | For more information on overcoming fibromyalgia |
| reason why some experts believe that the condition | | | | naturally sign up for the free newsletter below. |
| is caused by a dysfunction in the way the brain | | | | Diagnosing fibromyalgia may take some perseverance |
| sends pain signals to the receptors. | | | | so try keeping a diary to record all your symptoms |
| People afflicted with fibromyalgia may also | | | | so that you're prepared when you visit the doctor. |
| experience mood swings, and depression. | | | | This will ensure you don't forget any during your |
| As mentioned before, fibromyalgia is one of the | | | | consultation and secondly, find a doctor that is |
| harder conditions to diagnose perhaps because the | | | | sympathetic to your symptoms. |