What Usually Are the First Signs of Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a common but less known syndrome that affects both muscles and bones. This disease does not only bring about pain on your body, but it also has the power to cause you mental distress. Unfortunately, 5 million American adults, ages 18 years old and above, experience fibromyalgia. This chronic pain disorder also causes many patients to consult with a doctor or upper cervical chiropractor. In this blog, we will cover the first signs of fibromyalgia to look out for. In addition, we will introduce you to a fibromyalgia chiropractor in Colorado Springs who can provide you with natural care and relief. Be sure to read until the end of the article. Pain: The First Sign and Symptom of Fibromyalgia
The primary sign of fibromyalgia is pain all over your body. However, for doctors to diagnose you with fibromyalgia, you need to have experienced persistent pain or body tenderness for three months. Also, the aches must be located in specific parts of your body (called tender points) and have above the average severity score. Here are few fibromyalgia pain symptoms to look out for:
Headaches
Migraines
Aches and pains throughout the body
Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia isn’t all about the pain. It involves other signs and symptoms such as:
Lack of energy
Feeling tired all the time
Constant anxiety
Recurring headaches
Skin problems such as itching and burning
Depression
Concentration problems
Memory-related problems
Stiffness in the joints and muscles
Pain and stiffness in the jaw area
Most Severe Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Unfortunately, fibromyalgia symptoms could become so severe that they significantly affect how patients live their daily lives. Some severe symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
Irritable bowel syndrome
Fibro fog
Mood and sleep disorders
Chronic headaches
Sensory problems
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
People suffering from fibromyalgia could experience symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome:
Nausea
Diarrhea
Constipation
Bloating
Abdominal pain (frequent)
Abdominal gas
Fibro Fog
Also known as brain fog or fibromyalgia fog, it pertains to cognitive-related issues that might occur along with fibromyalgia. These are the most common fibro fog or cognitive-related fibromyalgia symptoms:
Memory Problems – difficulty in remembering things or information
Concentration Problems – not paying close attention to a task or a thing is so common in people with fibromyalgia. The syndrome quickly reduces their ability to think and focus in a distracting environment.
Mental Fatigue – fibromyalgia is known for its ability to cause extreme tiredness to a person. Severe fatigue can quickly drain your energy out. This symptom often manifests as a flu-like illness.
Unusual Confusion – people with fibromyalgia experience unusual confusion. They sometimes lose track of their thoughts or mix up details, information, and words.
Coordination and Balance Problems – researchers link fibromyalgia to falls and impaired balance. They root in the legs and arms weakness that the syndrome causes.
Mood and Sleep Disorders
People with fibromyalgia experience wakefulness in the NREM (non-rapid eye movement) stage of their sleep cycle. They have less slow-wave sleep as a result. That’s the reason why fibromyalgia patients mostly experience sleep deprivation. Also, lack of sleep causes a lower pain threshold. Therefore, poor sleep quality causes more fibromyalgia symptoms to arise.
Fibromyalgia patients are more likely to experience these sleep disorders:
Insomnia – this symptom often occurs in fibromyalgia patients. Since less sleep causes one’s pain threshold to decrease, difficulty sleeping can worsen other fibromyalgia symptoms.
Interrupted Sleep – patients with fibromyalgia may have difficulty sleeping throughout the night. Their interrupted sleep patterns can cause them to feel more fibromyalgia symptoms, including: 1.Irritability 2.Lack of motivation 3.Tremors 4.Memory problems 5.Pain 6.Decreased creativity Patients with fibromyalgia often experience these mood disorders:
Emotional Sensitivity – they may experience difficulty in handling emotions and can feel stronger emotional reactions.
Depression – the stress from fibromyalgia symptoms can cause depression. Also, people with fibromyalgia symptoms engage in fewer activities due to the pain, making them socially withdrawn and feel alone.
Anxiety – fibromyalgia symptoms can be so overwhelming for some. That is why fibromyalgia patients may experience fear and anxiety.
Upper Cervical in Colorado Springs: Light at the End of the Tunnel
If you deal with some or all of the symptoms we mentioned, there’s no need for you to drown in negative thoughts and stress. Instead, you can try upper cervical care, a safe and natural form of relief for fibromyalgia patients. Let us introduce you to Dr. John Stenberg, a trusted fibromyalgia chiropractor in Colorado Springs. He knows more about your pain and sufferings than you do.
Our fibromyalgia chiropractor in Colorado Springs can make gentle and precise adjustments to your upper cervical spine. Why does he need to? It’s because the top two bones of the spine play a significant role in your body. It helps in ensuring blood flow to the brain and in protecting your brainstem. Note that even the tiniest misalignment in this area can open a whole door of disease or disorder. That includes the fibromyalgia symptoms that you are feeling. Dr. John can provide you with the care you need. Schedule an appointment with Zenith Chiropractic today!