Kicking Off The Month Of March Right! The Topic Fibromynalgia, And Later This Month We Will Have a Post Centered Around Cerebral Palsy

Hi Everyone! 

First and foremost, thank you for your paitence while I went on hiatus to take care of some personal business. For right now, I am back part-time, but will most likely be back in full-time mode after March 11th 2020.  Returning to the remaining topics on our list. The new topic for  March is on  the health condition: Fibromynalgia. I am in NO WAY a medical professional of any kind, nor do I encourage self-diagnosing. The following post is just a general information post. Please consult with your trusted medical professional for a proper diagnosis. Thank you. 

P.S. Later this month we will have a post dedicated to the disability: Cerebral Palsy in honor of March being awareness moth for this very complex disability. 

Thank you all for your continued support, but please take not that his blog, and all social channels are being moderted by the founder, and all spam comments do and will continue to be removed accordingly. 

Founder Of The Abler blog, and it's online presence-
Jessica Niziolek

Disclaimer:

I am NOT a professional of any kind. I am strongly against self-diagnosis, and encourage my audience to please seek the professional advice of their own trusted medical professional and any other trusted professional depending on the topic at hand. The Abler Blog ONLY PROVIDES LIMITED GENERAL INFORMATION, and ALWAYS CITES WHERE THEY FIND THEIR RESOURCES AND OR INFORMATION,

Photos are curtsey of unsplash.com 

Subject Fibromyalgia

The site used to compile this general information is as follows: https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm

What is Fibromyalgia? 

It is a medical condition that causes all-over body pain known as wide-spread pain. The following symptoms can occur with people that have this condition. 

• Sleep problems 
• Fatigue 
• Emotional and mental distress

People with fibromyalgia can sometimes be more sensitive to pain than someone who does not have this condition this is called, Abnormal Pain Perception Processing. What causes Fibromyalgia is unknown, but it can be treated and managed. There are approximately 4 million adults in the United States that are affected by this condition. It affects about 2 % of the overall population. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition are as follows: 

• Sleep problems 
• Memory and concentration
• Headaches/migraines 
• Pain/ stiffness all over the body

Possible Additional Symptoms 

• tingle/numbness of hands and feet
• Pain in the face or jaw/jaw disorders such as TMJ
• Digestive issues. Bloating, constipation, IBS, etc.

 Risk Factors: 

• Age (middle age and up is the most common, but children have been diagnosed as well.
• If you have Lupus or RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) you’re more likely to develop Fibromyalgia.

Other Possible Risk Factors (Pending Further Medical Research.)

• Sex (women are twice as more likely to have this condition than men are)
• Stress or trauma 
• Repetitive injuries( joints)
• Viral infections
• Family history
• Obesity

How to get a proper diagnosis

• The use of a patient’s history
• Physical exam
• X-Rays
• Bloodwork

Treatment 

  Treatment for this condition can be in a variety of combinations of strategies that help the person self-manage and possible medications. With the support of a rheumatologist. The following are some suggestions your rheumatologist may suggest. 

• Medications, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening exercise.
• Patient education classes, usually in primary care or community settings.
• Stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and massage.

Some complications that occur due to fibromyalgia are as follows:

• Hospitalizations 
• Lower quality of life, (more so for women than men.)
• A high rate of depression, People (adults) with Fibromyalgia are 3 times more likely to have depression as one of the symptoms pf this condition. 
• Screening & treatment is important.
• There is a higher rate of injuries and suicides linked to this condition.
• A higher rate of other rheumatic conditions that happen along with these conditions, such as lupus.

How to improve your life while you have this condition 

• Get active
• Go to recommended physical activity classes
• Join a self-management education class