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A New Free Report - What Is Fibromyalgia?
This fascinating new report from UK-based publishing house Health Research Today answers some of the most-asked questions about this baffling disease :
- What's the medical definition of Fibromyalgia?
- What are the symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
- What are tender points and what are trigger points? What's the difference?
- What are the known causes of Fibromyalgia?
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What Is Fibromyalgia
This article is an extract from the ebook Freedom From Fibromyalgia!
Fibromyalgia And Chronic Fatigue
Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) often go hand-in-hand, which should come as little surprise as one of the predominant symptoms of fibromyalgia is fatigue. The combination of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, however, can be a daunting diagnosis for anyone. The key, however, is understanding what to expect from both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
One of the predominant symptoms of fibromyalgia is fatigue, due in large part to the fact that fibromyalgia sufferers often have sleep disturbances that don’t allow them to get adequate deep sleep each night. The fatigue of chronic fatigue syndrome, however, is quite different as sufferers are simply unable to feel refreshed even after eight hours of sleep. Like chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia sufferers generally feel very tired throughout the day.
While chronic fatigue is indeed a symptom of fibromyalgia, many patients don’t
realize that they can suffer from both chronic fatigue syndrome and
fibromyalgia, as the two illnesses are closely linked. It’s important to
understand exactly what chronic fatigue syndrome is to determine if your
fatigue is more than just a side effect of fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia sufferers are typically women between 20 and 50 years of age; alternately, chronic fatigue syndrome generally affects women in their 40s and 50s. However, like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome also affects men and children, although in lesser numbers than women. In fact, women are four times more likely to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome than are men, according to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are closely associated because of their many similar symptoms. The fatigue of chronic fatigue syndrome, however, is identified by an extreme fatigue that has persisted for more than six months. The fatigue of chronic fatigue syndrome is not the result of physical activity, and no matter how much sleep you get, you do not feel refreshed as a result of that sleep.
Additionally, those with chronic fatigue, like fibromyalgia, are often unable to do as much as they were able to previously, instead becoming tired at even the most minimal activity. Both chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia can be so severe that the patient is no longer able to work or to participate in everyday, normal activities.
According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic fatigue syndrome has additional symptoms, including:
Pain. Chronic fatigue, like fibromyalgia, is also characterized by pain. However, those with chronic fatigue syndrome generally have pain both in the muscles and in multiple joints.
Difficulty concentrating. Those with fibromyalgia will attest to
the frustration of fibro fog, the inability to concentrate. Like fibromyalgia,
chronic fatigue is characterized by an inability to concentrate, although with
chronic fatigue it can be much more severe and include memory problems.
Headaches. While headaches, including migraines, are common symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue is also characterized by headaches. However, if you’re suffering from a new type of headache, or if the headache has increased in severity, you may be exhibiting a symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Sleep problems. Those with fibromyalgia, unlike chronic fatigue, often have difficulty sleeping, getting up numerous times throughout the night, and not getting the required deep sleep. Chronic fatigue sufferers simply are unable to get sleep that refreshes them.
Like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue has additional symptoms that include a sore throat, a reappearance of symptoms following physical or mental activity, dry mouth, jaw pain, morning stiffness, loss of weight, trouble breathing, chest pains, earache, and irregular heartbeat. Some of the symptoms of chronic fatigue, like depression, are also symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Because fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue’s symptoms are so similar, it’s easy to say your chronic fatigue is simply a side effect of your fibromyalgia. However, if you exhibit any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Additionally, chronic fatigue, like fibromyalgia, is very difficult to diagnose, in part, because you cannot just have a lab test taken. Rather, you must go through a process of eliminating all other possibilities, including diabetes, Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, bipolar disorder, and mononucleosis.
Of course, because some of chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia’s symptoms are so similar, there is the chance for a misdiagnosis. And, like with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue’s exact cause remains unknown. It’s important to consult your doctor if you think you’re suffering from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, or both.
© Health Research Today
Read the rest of this article in Freedom From Fibromyalgia!
