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Things you didn’t know about fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

Most symptoms of fibromyalgia are confusing and do not have any remote similarity to arthritis. You would be left with intermittent pain in the chest, painful urination, blurred vision, loss of memory and other difficulties that can be entirely traumatizing. If you suspect fibromyalgia to be the case, diagnosis can be a bit difficult. But with the right physician, you can be sure to assess the symptoms and get the right treatment. Here are the symptoms to watch out for.

1. Headaches

Headache is a common symptom for a variety of conditions and cannot be considered as the single most symptom for confirming fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia will however have persistent headaches which can surface daily without any reason. Headaches must be assessed along with other fibromyalgia symptoms to get the correct diagnosis as chronic headaches too can surface daily and can lead to a wrong diagnosis in such cases. Headaches associated with fibromyalgia can be caused due to tension and can be severe as migraine.

2. Problems with memory

Again, memory problems can be due to a multitude of reasons and the most prominent amongst them is Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. Memory problems can also be caused due to adhd, insomnia, stress, overwork etc. Fibromyalgia patients experience something which is generally termed as ‘fibro fog’. Research indicates that fibro fog is the result of deterioration in gray matter from the areas of the brain associated with cognitive capacities and memory.

3. Generalised pain

Pain all over the body is one definite symptom that points towards fibromyalgia. The pain will be widespread and persistent that you feel that your entire body is bruised for some reason which is unknown to you. The pain is surely not just in the joints, in which case it points to arthritis or lupus. But it is a muscular as well as joint pain that is felt all throughout the body for extended periods of time. Such a pain which extends for months or even years could be due to fibromyalgia.

4. Stomach upset

Stomach upset or irritable bowel syndrome is a common problem faced by many. But for fibromyalgia patients, IBS is an accompanying symptom. Therefore when you analyse IBS for fibromyalgia, make sure that you put together all the other symptoms as well for diagnosis. IBS can be aggravated by stressful conditions, faulty diet, hormone fluctuations and even with the intake of antibiotics. If you are constantly suffering from IBS without any triggers and have the other symptoms of fibromyalgia as well, it is recommended to pay a visit to the doctor without fail.

5. Chronic bladder pain

Chronic bladder pain or commonly called intestinal cystitis can be caused due to bacterial and urinary tract infections and hence never associated with arthritic conditions like fibromyalgia. Chronic pain in the bladder and pelvic area will mostly be accompanied by frequent urge to urinate. If the pain does not last for long, it may not be due to fibromyalgia. But persistent bladder pain and chronic body pain when put together surely does cause concern and point towards symptoms of fibromyalgia.

6. Sleeplessness

Sleeplessness is so widespread that the numbers can be shocking. Estimated 40 million people in the US alone suffer from insomnia. But only a small percentage of those are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. If the sleep disorders are persistent with fatigue, lack of concentration, memory problems and constant body ache, then it is time for you to sit up and take note.

With all the symptoms lined up for you to assess your own individual situation, fibromyalgia is still a difficult condition to diagnose. Except the chronic body aches, all other symptoms of fibromyalgia are very common and can be associated with many other disorders and conditions. Keep watch on your symptoms and try to eliminate common ailments before you suspect fibromyalgia to be the condition. Finally, ensure that you do not self diagnose as an experienced physician will be able to give you the correct diagnosis with as little as one core symptom, i.e., the body ache.

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