Fibromyalgia is a serious medical condition and is generally associated with low serotonin levels. Fibromyalgia, formerly know as fibrositis, is a common and chronic condition affecting the muscles. Fibromyalgia affects about 3 million to 6 million people in the United States each year. The disorder mostly affects women, aged 30 to 59 and typically develops in early-to-middle adulthood. Fibromyalgia pain is more common in the trunk, neck, low back, hips, and shoulders, and it is rare in the hands and feet.



Symptoms of fibromyalgia

The symptoms of fibromyalgia resemble those of rheumatoid arthritis and due to this fact, fibromyalgia may be misdiagnosed. However, unlike people with physical illnesses, the people with fibromyalgia seem to be in perfect health. Fibromyalgia usually displays a variety of symptoms including generalized aches and pains, increased sensitivity of the skin, chronic fatigue, weakness or dizziness, muscle stiffness or joint pain and migraine headaches.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia vary greatly between individuals but almost all suffer from an associated sleep disorder. Depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness and tingling of the extremities and heightened sensitivity to stimuli may also be present.

Other physical symptoms of fibromyalgia are: lack of concentration, body weakness, decrease of the short-term memory, accelerated heart rate, nausea, abdominal pain and bloating, vomiting and diarrhea.

Fibromyalgia Treatments

The treatment of Fibromyalgia is focused on improving the health of the person and minimizing the symptoms, especially sleeping disorder, which is believed to cause the occurrence of other symptoms. The natural treatment options fall into four categories that create balance in the body: exercise, diet and nutrition, stress management, and rest.

Fibromyalgia treatments mostly consist of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs (used solely for their analgesic properties). However, apart from intense pain, many people with fibromyalgia complain about having trouble sleeping and feel a pronounced state of fatigue throughout the whole body. Therefore, in some particular cases, fibromyalgia treatments may include sedatives in order to correct the patients? sleeping problems.

Since Fibromyalgia is still largely a mysterious condition, even to the medical community, it is beneficial to try and find an organization or doctor who specializes in treatments aimed specifically at fibromyalgia patients.

Nutrition is very important with this condition as with any serious physical condition. Avoid caffeine products, sugar, processed foods and fried foods. Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) is often a factor in causing the person with Fibromyalgia to feel fatigued. That is why a good nutrition program is very important, eating frequent small meals with some protein is very important in keeping the blood levels even.

The Fibromyalgia Treatment Centers of America is based in Chicago and offers treatments based on an individualized multi-disciplined approach. They also advocate self-help through education and application by their patients.