Here are a few warning signs that point to the possibility that you or any other person may have fibromyalgia.
Digestive Problems
Fibromyalgia patients usually report tummy problems that are usually linked to irritable bowel syndrome, which has signs that include diarrhea, abdominal pain as well as constipation. A number of researches have shown that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects about 70% of fibro patients and manifest before a fibro diagnosis. Both conditions have similar triggers.
However, each condition requires a specific treatment approach. Relaxation can help in managing digestive problem. Stay away from notoriously irritating foods such as caffeine and cruciferous veggies and resort to medication or supplements that work synergistically with your fibromyalgia treatment.
Sensitivity To Muscle Pain
Fibromyalgia can make you sensitive to pain in the muscles, but you may have discomforts in other parts of your body. Allodynia is a fibromyalgia pain that is caused by a simple touch, handshake or a simple pat on your back. Neurotransmitters changes as well as light nerve damage are the main triggers, but poor quality of sleep is also the culprit.
A similar problem is sensitivity to smell and light, particularly when the smell and light are strong. Fibromyalgia also affects the ability of the brain to sort through the sensory inputs that regularly swarm your body. This can have negative impact on each sense.
Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
Excessive sweating, also called hyperhidrosis, isn’t considered one of the primary signs of fibromyalgia, but most fibromyalgia sufferers complain of this problem. Problems with the hypothalamus gland in the brain can result in sweating. Realize that hypothalamus gland controls most automatic functions in your body.
The good news is that there are certain medications and some lifestyle changes that can help keep it cool. Sweating at night can be particularly disruptive to sleep, so you need to use antiperspirant before going to bed. If your condition is severe, Botox injections in the affected areas can be your best option.
Anger And Resentment
The continuous pain and fatigue can hugely affect your day-to-day life. Research has shown that many people suffering from fibromyalgia have relationship problems and only half of them testify being happy in their relationships. 20 percent of them say that their partners do not believe that their fibromyalgia is real.
Also, one in every three fibro sufferers report that their kids grow angry because they don’t often play with them. If resentment dominates in a relationship, then there will be no love or affection. Positive communication is very important in dealing with fibromyalgia.
Mental Signs Can Be As Severe As The Physical Signs
Fibromyalgia patients do not only suffer physically, they also suffer mentally. Many of them suffer from a psychological condition referred to as fibro fog (a psychological confusion that can severely affect several aspects of one’s life). For some patients, fibro fog can be very severe & really frightening.
A certain study indicated that, nearly one-third of people suffering from fibromyalgia experienced severe mental problems while another one-third suffered moderate psychological issues. As your fibro fog becomes more intense, your chances of suffering physically, socially and even emotionally increases. This can both endanger your life and affect your quality of life.
Restless Limbs
Most people suffering from fibromyalgia often have sleepless nights because of the pain they experience. In addition to the pain, many of them complain of uncomfortable feelings in their legs & arms at night. Others report having tingly sensations in their finger joints.
These feelings are not only uncomfortable, they are also very unbearable to the point that you may feel like moving around hence waking from your sleep. Lack of quality sleep will obviously affect your body’s ability to function well during the day.
