Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. However, there are many misconceptions about this disorder that can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. One common misconception is that fibromyalgia is not a real medical condition, but rather a psychological problem. This belief is not true as fibromyalgia has been recognized by the World Health Organization as a legitimate medical condition.
Another misconception about fibromyalgia is that it only affects women. While it’s true that women are more likely to develop the disorder, men can also suffer from it. Fibromyalgia does not discriminate based on gender. Lastly, some people believe that fibromyalgia can be cured with medication or surgery. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition at present. Treatment options include medications to manage symptoms and lifestyle changes such as exercise and stress reduction techniques.
In the meantime, through this blog post, we are made aware of the possible signs that we might have fibromyalgia, which is important in the prevention process. Here we have Dr. Kre’s 5 signs that you need to watch out for.
- It Causes Joint Pain and Stiffness – Does your knee hurt? Do your legs hurt? Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles, joints, and soft tissues of the body. It is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide, with women being more likely to develop it than men. One of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia is joint pain and stiffness. Joint pain and stiffness can be debilitating for those who suffer from fibromyalgia. It can make it difficult to perform daily tasks such as walking, standing, or even sitting for extended periods. The pain can be sharp or dull and may occur in any joint in the body.
- It Causes You To Be Exhausted – Do you ever get a full 8-12 hours of sleep and still don’t feel like getting up? This may be a sign that you have this sneaky disorder. Fibromyalgia disrupts the normal sleep patterns of sufferers. They often experience restless sleep or wake up frequently during the night. This leads to a lack of deep, restorative sleep which leaves them feeling fatigued during the day. It causes increased sensitivity to pain and physical activity. Even simple tasks like walking or standing can be exhausting for someone with fibromyalgia due to the constant pain they experience.
- It Causes Muscle Spasms – Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of the muscles that can cause pain, stiffness, and discomfort. They can occur in any part of the body but are most commonly experienced in the neck, shoulders, back, and legs. Although it is very normal for us to have muscle spasms every once in a while, getting them on a regular basis can be a sign of having Fibromyalgia. Muscle relaxants can be a temporary fix, but going to the doctor is a must.
- It Causes Some Changes in Your Bowel Movement – In addition to the rest of the other possible symptoms mentioned, frequent irritating trips to the bathroom can be an indication of the possibility of having fibromyalgia. Researchers believe that it may be related to the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls many bodily functions including digestion.
- It Causes Depression – A lot of practices show a direct correlation between fibromyalgia and depression. So oddly enough a lot of people with fibromyalgia end up being all of these pain medicines for nerve pain with actuality. They need to be on an antidepressant. Depression is a common symptom of fibromyalgia because it often results from the chronic pain and fatigue associated with the disorder. The constant discomfort can make it difficult for individuals with fibromyalgia to engage in activities they once enjoyed or maintain relationships with loved ones.
Dr. Kre Johnson is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician
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Bruce, D. F., PhD. (2008, May 19). Fibromyalgia and Depression. WebMD. Canter, J. (2008, May 13). Fibro Fog and Fatigue. WebMD. Häuser, W., & Fitzcharles, M. (2018). Facts and myths pertaining to fibromyalgia. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 20(1), 53–62.
