Learn How to Overcome Fibromyalgia Chronic Pain

You've heard of osteoporosis, arthritis, menopause, breast cancer and cervical cysts - all of which are issues affecting women's health. But were you aware that of the 10 million people diagnosed with Fibromyalgia chronic pain each year, 80-90% are women? Clinical studies about Fibromyalgia began in the 80s trying to uncover the root cause of the mysteriously appearing pain symptoms, but one thing is for sure; it is a very real disorder that affects women today.

Fibromyalgia chronic pain is characterized by musculoskeletal pain that seemingly comes out of nowhere. The easiest way to describe the pain symptoms is to compare it to how you feel when you have the flu - heavy, achy, uncomfortable, sore, "off," and constantly in pain.

At night, you'll toss and turn relentlessly. You may have Restless Leg Syndrome or frequently feel like you're falling and when you do finally fall asleep, you'll wake up feeling like you had been up all night. Regardless of the cause, the impact can't be denied.

When you miss out on quality sleep time, your body can't replenish itself with Dopamine, Seratonin and other biochemicals it needs to process pain, boost your mood, help you sleep the following night and maintain the body's homeostasis. It's like you're always starting the day one step behind and you can never catch up.
 
Your first recourse in treating Fibromyalgia chronic pain is to try a sleeping pill, either over the counter or prescribed. The importance of getting a good night's sleep cannot be overstated. In some clinical experiments, researchers found that insomniacs fared just as bad (if not worse) than drug addicts in mental performance, physical deterioration and depression.

Getting on a schedule and enjoying a deep REM sleep each night is the way to kick off your treatment. Next you'll want to add yoga, swimming or some other low-impact exercise to your daily routine.

Common sense says to drink a lot of water, be sure you're getting your vitamins and eating well, and quit smoking. Stress exacerbates the pain symptoms too, so a trip to the masseuse, a sauna or a meditation class wouldn't hurt either.

Overcoming stereotypes and stigmas is something patients with Fibromyalgia chronic pain find very troublesome. Insurance companies refuse to recognize the need for Fibromyalgia treatment and provide little assistance, while the Social Security Administration calls it "the welfare disorder" because 65% of the sufferers are out of work.

Friends and family can't see anything physically wrong and they wonder how some days you can be out and about, while other days are excruciating. In many ways, Fibromyalgia defies our expectations of being sick. However, with added awareness, research and discussion, this pain will all soon change!