| Fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases | | | | Fortunately, more tests are being conducted to find out |
| affecting the muscles, tendons, and joints in women. | | | | how declining estrogen levels affect the onset of |
| Symptoms include long-term muscle soreness, muscle | | | | fibromyalgia. On-going research is being conducted |
| stiffness, sleeplessness, fatigue, mood changes, | | | | that may suggest abnormally low levels of the |
| anxiety and depression. | | | | hormone Cortisol, which is the hormone produced by |
| Fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases | | | | the adrenal gland may also be a linked cause. |
| affecting the muscles, tendons, and joints in women. | | | | Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this disorder |
| Many health care professionals still do not recognize | | | | or completely cure it, either... Therefore, most |
| the condition as a disorder, most likely, because x-rays, | | | | treatment's center on conquering the symptoms |
| blood tests, and biopsies often show no prevalent | | | | associated with fibromyalgia. Treatments for women |
| evidence to support the patient's complaints. However, | | | | suffering from fibromyalgia vary according to |
| in recent years, the use of thermographs, a device | | | | symptoms. In some cases, physical therapy or light |
| that tests and measures the heat produced by areas | | | | exercise may be prescribed. Research has shown |
| of the body, has helped diagnose the condition. Studies | | | | that the use of ice immediately following any exercise |
| indicate that fibromyalgia patients have decreased | | | | may decrease muscle and joint pain. The use of |
| blood flow and decreased skin temperatures in sites | | | | tricyclic anti-depressants usually used in treating |
| of tenderness. Symptoms include long-term muscle | | | | depression; has also been shown to be an effective |
| soreness, muscle stiffness, sleeplessness, fatigue, | | | | medication for treating firbromyalgia. These |
| mood changes, anxiety and depression. Often times | | | | medications usually relieve depression, anxiety, reduce |
| the condition is worsened by stress and weather | | | | fatigue, and restores effective sleep patterns. Some |
| changes. Unlike other rheumatic conditions that cause | | | | physicians may prescribe local injections of analgesics |
| swelling and inflammation of the tissues in the body, | | | | to the sore or stiff areas. The use of pain-relievers |
| fibromyalgia does not cause any type of joint | | | | and muscle relaxers has both been beneficial in |
| deformity or does not damage any internal organs. | | | | reducing pain symptoms and improving sleep. Often |
| Many times, patients that suffer with fibromyalgia have | | | | times, doctors will discuss pain and stress |
| other conditions or disorders that will occur. One of the | | | | management to their patients; which can eliminate |
| most common disorders associated with fibromyalgia | | | | some symptoms of the disorder. |
| is TMJ, a disorder associated with the jaw. Many | | | | Diet plays an important role in the prevention of |
| sufferers of fibromyalgia may be diagnosed with | | | | symptoms concerning fibromyalgia. Eating organic |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as well. Some patients | | | | foods, such as fruits and vegetables; increasing the |
| complain of migraine or tension headaches, irritable | | | | intake of low-fat, high fiber foods; those high in |
| bowel and bladder syndromes. Some women may | | | | Omega-3 Fatty acids, found in fish may benefit |
| develop a loss in memory and concentration. | | | | sufferers. Some physicians suggest lowering sodium |
| Fibrocystic Breast Disease and Endometriosis is often | | | | rich foods or eliminating additives such as monosodium |
| present in women that have fibromyalgia, although | | | | glutamate (MSG's) and artificial sweeteners, like |
| there has been no studies conducted regarding the | | | | Aspartame may relieve many symptoms of |
| correlation of the two. | | | | fibromyalgia. And recent studies indicate the use of a |
| Causes of this condition is still unknown, many experts | | | | vegan diet may help alleviate symptoms. Alternative |
| are researching the relationship between menopause | | | | treatments, specifically in the field of homeopathic |
| and fibromyalgia. Most women are diagnosed with this | | | | remedies, suggest taking magnesium, B-12 Vitamins, |
| condition between the ages of 40 to 55 which is when | | | | and Vitamin C. |
| menopause usually occurs, and approximately | | | | Other non-medical treatments involve massage |
| 85%-90% of all reported Fibromyalgia conditions are | | | | therapy, heat therapy and cold packs that may |
| women. Hormonal changes, such as the decreased | | | | temporarily relieve symptoms. The use of |
| amounts of estrogen in the female body, may | | | | Hydrotherapy or water therapy can increase |
| contribute to symptoms like anxiety, depression, and | | | | circulation and decrease muscle aches. Currently, there |
| sleeplessness in fibromyalgia patients. Research | | | | are studies being conducted that may offer more |
| shows, however, that estrogen and progesterone | | | | treatments or one specific treatment for helping relieve |
| replacement therapy is not that beneficial to | | | | fibromyalgia symptoms. |
| fibromyalgia sufferers. There are mild benefits | | | | Women suffering with this disorder may find |
| reported when using the estrogen patches rather than | | | | themselves withdrawing from society due to the pain |
| the estrogen pills. Some studies indicate that the low | | | | and anxiety associated with fibromyalgia. Many times, |
| thyroid function and decreased levels of thyroid | | | | women find themselves unable to work a physical or |
| hormones, as well as estrogen and progesterone | | | | stressful job. The best advice is to seek treatment and |
| hormones, may contribute to muscular pain, fatigue, | | | | maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes light exercise, |
| mood changes, and anxiety. At the present time the | | | | good eating habits, and staying active in both, work |
| correlation between menopause and fibromyalgia is | | | | and life. |
| uncertain, due to the lack of research on the subject. | | | | |