International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is observed on the 12 of May, Fibromyalgia is a medical condition characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened pain response to pressure (Widespread muscle pain and tenderness). It is known as an invisible illness because it doesn’t affect the organs in the body, can’t be revealed with x-rays, blood tests and isn’t life-threatening. To other people, those affected by the condition appear to look normal as the symptoms don’t show themselves in a visual way. For those living day to day with chronic pain though, it can cause them discomfort and can be very debilitating. The symbol of Fibromyalgia is associated a butterfly. This portrays that, although a butterfly is light and weightless it could still cause pain if it landed on someone with the condition due to their heightened sensitivity to pain and pressure.

Symptoms:

The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Fatigue.
• Widespread pain.
• Cognitive difficulties.

Fibromyalgia often co-exists with other conditions, such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Anxiety
• Depression.

Causes:

Many researchers believe that repeated nerve stimulation causes the brain and spinal cord of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain. In addition, the brain’s pain receptors seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become sensitized, meaning they can overreact to painful and nonpainful signals.

There are likely many factors that lead to these changes, including:

• Genetics.
• Infections.
• Physical or emotional events.

The pain, fatigue, and poor sleep quality associated with fibromyalgia can interfere with your ability to function at home or on the job.

Risk factors for fibromyalgia include:

• Your sex. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed more often in women than in men.
• Family history. You may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia if a parent or sibling also has the condition.
• Other disorders. If you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Treatment:

There is no cure for fibromyalgia. Instead, treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and improving quality of life with, medications ,self-care strategies, lifestyle changes. Medications can relieve pain and help you sleep better. Physical and occupational therapy improve your strength and reduce stress on your body. Exercise and stress-reduction techniques can help you feel better, both mentally and physically. You may wish to seek out support and guidance. This may involve seeing a therapist or joining a support group. In a support group, you can get advice from other people who have fibromyalgia to help you through your own journey. International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day helps empower those affected and bring light to the difficulties faced by the affected and helps the people around them to educate themselves so that they can support the patients.

EVERTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA.