Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes pain throughout the body focusing on the joints, muscles, and tendons. Symptoms for this disorder are fatigue, tension headaches, depression, anxiety, TMJ disorders, tingling or numbness in hands and feet, problems with memory, and morning stiffness. This disorder affects 2-4% of the population, with the majority of patients being women. It may be difficult for doctors to diagnose this health disorder since its symptoms are very similar to other disorders. There is not one singular test that can diagnose this disorder.
To be diagnosed with this disorder, most doctors test patients who have had at least three months of pain throughout their body in at least eleven of the eighteen areas that can include chest, elbows, buttocks, and knees, upper and lower back, and front of neck, back of neck, rib cage, shoulders, hips, thighs, and arms. There is no cure for this disorder, but doctors have found treatments to help manage the pain. It is important to find a doctor who specializes in this condition to help determine which treatment is best for you. There are a wide range of treatments that this article will discuss to help determine which treatment is the best one for you.
Medications are one of the most common fibromyalgia treatments available today. Medications that offer relief for pain include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or Tramadol, which is a prescription pain reliever. Your doctor may also prescribe you anti-depressant medications that can help ease the pain and assist in better sleep habits. Anti-seizure drugs are another treatment often prescribed to patients and are useful in reducing pain from the joints and muscles.
Other fibromyalgia treatments include therapy and metabolic treatment focusing on diet, exercise, and the use of natural supplements. Therapy treatments along with proper diet, stress reduction, and adequate sleep have been known to improve the symptoms of this health condition. Some patients swear by the benefits of acupuncture and other alternative medicines such as massage therapy or Yoga. More recent studies have found that neurologic treatments, such as oxygen therapy are said to also give patients relief. There are many resources that will provide you with information, but a specialized clinic such as the Fibromyalgia Clinic in Canada (http://fibromyalgiaottawa.com) offers the latest technology and treatments with specialized procedures.
There is certainly a great relief for this health disorder, yet it may be tricky finding which treatment is best for you. This health disorder is an often misdiagnosed health condition and many people are not aware of its symptoms or treatments. There are support groups available for people with this condition. Finding a great support group along with one of these treatments is incredibly helpful in treating this health disorder.