The 11 Most Common Fibromyalgia Symptoms
We have been seeing a broadening in recognition of fibromyalgia in the past few years. And this is for a good reason, and fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic pain conditions.
It has been estimated that 10 million people in the U.S. alone have fibromyalgia, and approximately three to six percent of the world population are living with this mysterious condition.
So, what do we know about this ever-increasing illness? Sadly, not enough. Researchers keep working to understand fibromyalgia better, but on the whole, it remains a perplexing disorder.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The cause of fibromyalgia is not entirely understood. It has been found though, that certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing fibromyalgia.
Even though fibromyalgia is not considered a hereditary disease, there does seem that genetics is one possible factor, as fibromyalgia has been seen among family groups.
- Certain infections may also cause fibromyalgia in some people, such as hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr virus, Lyme disease, or parvovirus.
- Autoimmune disorders, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis, have also been linked to the onslaught of fibromyalgia.
- Injury or physical trauma, such as a car accident, has been the catalyst that triggers fibromyalgia for many individuals.
- Emotional trauma or distress, especially during childhood, has also been found to be the cause of fibromyalgia for many.
What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder that causes a long list of possible symptoms or companion illnesses. Each one of us affiliated with fibromyalgia have our own set of symptoms that may come and go, or wane in level of intensity.
We all experience fibromyalgia in our own unique way, one of the things that make fibromyalgia a challenge to treat and to even understand.
Some of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are:
- Pain.
- Fatigue.
- Cognitive fatigue.
- Joint and muscle stiffness.
- Stomach and digestive problems.
- Depression and anxiety.
- Hormonal Imbalances.
- Headaches.
- Muscle spasms.
- Sensitivity to lights and sound.
- Sensitivity to chemicals.
Pain
Fibromyalgia causes pain throughout the whole body. Largely, so many parts of your body will hurt at once that it can only be described as an all-over pain.
Imagine being in a room and you are surrounded by people screaming at you. Now try to pinpoint what each individual is saying. This would be difficult, maybe even impossible to do. That is what pain is often like for us. At times like this, it is difficult even to compute what is hurting and the type of pain that it is.
While at times we may have pain in only one or two places, it is rare for a person with fibromyalgia to be completely pain-free.
The type of pain that afflicts us can differ from day to day, even moment to moment. The pain from fibromyalgia has been described in a number of different ways, and the following are the most commonly used:
- Deep pain.
- Aching pain.
- Radiating pain.
- Stabbing pain.
- Hyperesthesia, sensitivity to touch.
- Hyperalgesia, an increase in pain sensation.
