A widespread muscoloskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue
characterizes Fibromylagia. The exact causes of
Fibromyalgia are still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in
the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other fibrous tissues
in the body.
Women are more prone to develop Fibromyalgia, although men
are also afflicted by it. Patients suffering from
Fibromyalgia may have one or a combination of all the
following symptoms such as chronic pain, insomnia or sleep
disorder, hypersensitivity to touch, chronic fatigue,
depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. Some patients
have also reported symptoms such as sensitivity to light,
noise, odors, certain foods, and medications. Other
symptoms reported are temporomandibular joint dysfunctions,
morning stiffness, memory loss, dizziness, and dry eyes and
mouth.
Fibromyalgia is often referred to as the invisible illness,
as no apparent pathology is present. It is believed that
psychosocial factors are responsible for this disease.
Fibromyalgia is neither a fatal nor a degenerative disease;
however it can affect almost all the aspects of a person's
life. The chronic pain associated with the disease is
pervasive and persistent and can affect normal social and
recreational activity. It has been estimated that about 30%
of those affected by this disease are unable to work full
time. The United States government recognizes Fibromyalgia
as a genuine medical condition and patients can apply for
social security disability benefits.
Physicians all over the world consider Fibromyalgia as a
functional illness in which the symptoms are real but the
medical tests turn out to be normal. Trying to understand
Fibromyalgia through the bio-medical model is a futile
exercise. Bio-medical model explains the illness as cause
and effect and is based on dualism. The bio-medical model
considers the mind and body as separate.
The reality is in fact contrary to this belief and most
diseases like Fibromyalgia need to be understood through
the bio-psychosocial-spiritual model. It is now well
accepted that Fibromyalgia needs to be addressed after
addressing, understanding, and accepting the
inter-dependence of the mind, body and the spirit. Factors
such as genetics, environment and the influence of the
conscious and unconscious mind also play an important role
in patients developing Fibromyalgia.
The root causes of Fibromyalgia are not in the head but in
the mind and body. The brain is connected to the body by
the spinal cord through the autonomic nervous system. Small
protein molecules in the neuropeptide messenger system
circulate in the body and carry messages back and forth
between the body and the brain and vice versa. Hence, we
need to look at the mind and the body to really understand
Fibromyalgia and not through the bio-medical model. There
is a direct relationship between stress and the symptoms of
Fibromyalgia.
Stress is the perception of psychological or physical
threat and the perception of being unable to deal with it.
Two important things about stress need to be kept in mind.
First, stress can occur at the unconscious level and the
individual may be unaware that he or she is under stress
from a cognitive perspective. Second, stress is always
perceptual. Certain individuals may find a situation
extremely stressful while others may not be affected by it.
Although there are a number of factors that are responsible
for Fibromyalgia, one common factor in all patients
suffering from Fibromyalgia is 'STRESS'. Another factor
commonly associated with Fibromyalgia is sleep disorder or
insomnia. It is still not clear whether these two factors
cause Fibromyalgia or vice versa.
It is important that all concerned understand and accept
connection between the mind and the body. Treatment and
healing are two different processes. Treatment involves the
application of something external and something given
orally or intravenously, but healing happens from within.
Patients should be encouraged to use their own power to
heal themselves. It is a fact that Neuropeptides can be
switched off and on through relaxation, exercise, diet,
sleep, belief, and medication.
A change in lifestyle, improved eating habits, regular
exercise, sleep and medication such as anti-depressants
taken under medical supervision are beneficial for managing
Fibromyalgia.
----------------------------------------------------
Hailey Harris is an expert in dealing with Fibromyalgia
after suffering for more than 8 years with health problems.
She is now symptom free and living a pain free life. She
developed Ridfibromyalgia.com found at
http://www.ridfibromyalgia.com to help others learn to do
the same. To receive tons of info, tips, and healing
strategies for free visit
http://www.ridfibromyalgia.com/how.html .
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