Fibromyalgia Risk Factors And Other Interesting Facts

The symptoms include a widespread pain that occurs in the muscles, joints and tendons, a fatigue that can be debilitating in nature, sleep disturbances, the presence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), facial pain or headaches, and heightened sensitivity to certain things like odors, light, and sounds.

Are you at risk for developing the condition known as fibromyalgia? You might be if you are female, are young or middle aged and experience sleep disturbances.

You may also be at risk if you have a family history of those suffering from fibromyalgia. If you already suffer from a rheumatic disease such as ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis you may have a higher than average chance for contracting the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a condition that has some very interesting facts surrounding it, especially the symptoms and characteristics of the condition.

The symptoms include a widespread pain that occurs in the muscles, joints and tendons, a fatigue that can be debilitating in nature, sleep disturbances, the presence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), facial pain or headaches, and heightened sensitivity to certain things like odors, light, and sounds.

Individuals with fibromyalgia may also suffer from depression, a tingling or numbness in their feet or hands, may experience mood changes, or difficulty concentrating, may experience chest pain, or have dry mouth, dry eyes or dry skin, have episodes of dizziness or anxiety and if female, may admit to having painful monthly periods.

It is difficult to pinpoint why certain individual experience these symptoms but there are some theories that have been bantered about including that those with the condition may have had some kind of spinal injury or trauma that triggers the development of the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Others feel that the condition may have started with a viral or bacterial infection. The condition may also be connected to changes in metabolism or abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system.

Individuals who are female, in their early or middle adult years, experience sleep disturbances, have a family history of fibromyalgia or those who suffer from a rheumatic disease need to be aware of the symptoms of the disease because they are at higher risk for fibromyalgia.

Individuals who experience the symptoms of fibromyalgia such as when they notice over a period of months that they are experiencing general aching or pain that is generalized all over their body or that they are sensitive to light, sound or odors; especially if they have a family history of fibromyalgia, have lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid hormone production (hypothyroidism), or other neuropathies they should notify their doctor that they have concerns and the doctor can examine them.

There is no single test that can be done to come up with the diagnosis in a simple manner. Typically blood and urine tests, X-rays, and other tests are done in order to rule out other disorders and conditions.

Doctors do have a form of help as the American College of Rheumatology has established some very general classification guidelines for fibromyalgia in order to help physicians diagnose the condition.

Some of the diseases that doctors are able to rule out while conducting these tests are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis.