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