An overview of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term chronic syndrome that causes bodily pain and mental distress. Due to the chronic widespread pain caused in the body and tenderness in the muscles, it is a largely misunderstood disorder. The symptoms are subjective and in the absence of a clear cause, fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed as some other disease.

Continue reading to know more about this disease, its causes, a symptoms checklist, and more.

What causes fibromyalgia?
An exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown. Various factors working together may cause this health condition, including:

• Infections-  An infection or illness may trigger fibromyalgia syndrome symptoms , making the condition worse.
• Trauma- An individual who has experienced physical and/or emotional trauma is at a risk of developing fibromyalgia.
• Genetics-  If there is someone in the family or relatives suffering from this disorder, then an individual is at a high risk of developing fibromyalgia.
• Stress-  Stress just like trauma leaves a long-term negative impact on the body. Hormonal imbalance is one of the side effects of stress that could contribute to the development of fibromyalgia in a person’s body.

What are the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia?
The classic symptoms associated with fibromyalgia are widespread muscle and joint pain and fatigue. These symptoms aren’t very distinctive and lead to a lot of misdiagnoses. Some of the common signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia to look out for are:

• Painful and tender joints
• Fatigue
• Sleep disorders
• Fibro fog (memory and concentration problem)
• Depression or anxiety
• Morning stiffness
• Headaches
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Painful menses and menstrual cramps
• Numbness
• Tingling (in feet, arms, hands, and legs)

What are some of the home remedies for treating fibromyalgia?
Treating fibromyalgia requires treatment in the form of medication as well as self-care. Some basic self-care remedies that can be followed at home by a patient are:

• Sleep- Getting enough sleep is one of the most effective home remedies that can help manage the painful symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Fatigue, which a common symptom of this health condition, can be relieved by resting and sleeping.
• Exercise- Exercising is essential for someone suffering from fibromyalgia. Although it is difficult to exercise with the pain in the joints and muscles, it is not impossible. Exercising helps in improving the strength, flexibility, and stamina in an individual suffering from fibromyalgia.
• Reduce stress- It is crucial to manage stress, as it can aggravate fibromyalgia symptoms. One can do so by meditating, taking warm baths, and by using other relaxing techniques.

What are alternative therapies for fibromyalgia?
Some alternative therapies that an individual can use for easing the symptoms of fibromyalgia are:

• Acupuncture- The needles inserted at specific points of the body in acupuncture help change blood flow and chemical levels. Acupuncture is helpful in reducing the discomfort caused by fibromyalgia.
• Yoga and tai chi – The practices of yoga and tai chi combine meditation, slow movement of muscles and joints, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques. Both practices are known to be helpful in relieving symptoms of fibromyalgia.
• Massage therapy – Massage therapy helps in reducing the heart rate, relaxing the soft tissues and the muscles, improving the range of motion in an individual’s joints, and increasing the production of body’s natural painkillers. It also helps in relieving anxiety and stress.

What are the common myths associated with fibromyalgia?
Common myths associated with fibromyalgia are:

• It is not real- The biggest myth is that this condition is just in the head of the sufferer, and he/she is imagining the pain.
• It isn’t treatable- Although there is no known cure for this health condition, there are many effective ways to help manage a lot of its symptoms.
• It only happens to women- Although this condition affects more women than men, it is not limited to women only. Men also can suffer from fibromyalgia.