Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that causes whole body pain such as muscle aches, joint pain and tenderness. This common syndrome also presents sleep problems, headaches and physical fatigue that can result in depression or anxiety as well. Since this chronic condition affects many people, it is typically diagnosed based on the severity of a patients symptoms and their experience with overall pain and muscle stiffness. Fortunately this disorder does not actually damage the body however, it is a difficult condition to manage and live with because it considerably effects a persons lifestyle. Fibromyalgia causes, symptoms and medications are all areas of consideration that one must understand for managing and living with this condition.

Causes of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is widely believed to be a biological disorder of the body. The exact cause remains unknown. When internal bodily changes occur such as in the nervous system, brain and spinal cord, symptoms of fibromyalgia can present. Additionally, fibromyalgia is understood to have more than one cause including:

Genetics
Underlying autoimmune disease; and
Physical or emotional distress
Inherited genetic makeup has been found to increase the risk of developing fibromyalgia while autoimmune conditions like arthritis and illnesses caused from infection may also trigger this condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia symptoms can range in severity and quantity from individual to individual, with symptoms worse on some days versus others. Signs of a fibromyalgia disorder include such symptoms as:

Deep soreness, body aches and muscle pain
Stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning
Sensitivity to physical touch and flu-like pain
Mental fog and forgetfulness
Stress, anxiety and feelings of depression; and
Fatigue and severe migraine-level headaches
Fibromyalgia symptoms can be debilitating for sufferers and impact their quality of life greatly. Symptoms of stress and anxiety can be compounded with the frustration of chronic pain and discomfort and make it extraordinarily difficult to manage completely. Widespread pain throughout the body for a period of at least three months may be an indication of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by a physician who will assess individual pain levels and determine symptoms affecting physical activity. There are no medical tests in existence that can determine or diagnosis fibromyalgia presently. X-rays and blood tests that are generally excellent tools for assessing chronic conditions and disease are simply not able to be used in this particular diagnosis. Moreover, while there are a tremendous number of individuals suffering from this condition, it can take many years and many doctor evaluations to be correctly and successfully diagnosed from the sheer fact that not all doctors have treated this condition. Finding a physician who is familiar with, and who has experience treating Fibromyalgia is an excellent starting point for managing this condition.

Managing Fibromyalgia
Managing fibromyalgia can be effectively accomplished after assessing and understanding symptom severity and the impact the condition has upon daily activity. Physicians primarily emphasize the importance of diet and regular activity however, there are medications that can also help manage this condition. Medication options for managing fibromyalgia pain include:

SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Tricyclic antidepressants
SNRIs, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
Anticonvulsants
Prescribed, and over-the-counter, OTC pain medications
While pain medications may be the most immediate, effective relief for body pain, and symptom flare-ups, they can also be highly addictive and must be managed contentiously. A combination of medications can help alleviate sleep disruption and improve overall mental perspective for patients suffering from fibromyalgia. Both anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications can be used to create symptom relief for such atypical conditions. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia cannot be prevented making this a troubling condition.

Can Fibromyalgia be Prevented?
Fibromyalgia can not altogether be prevented but, minimizing its effects can be accomplished through:

Adequate rest
Exercise and activity
Maintaining a stress-fee, ergonomically comfortable work environment; and
Ensuring a healthy diet
These strategies can also significantly reduce how long symptom flare-ups last. This perplexing disorder possesses a unique set of symptoms that unfortunately can onset routinely making it a chronic condition.

Helping a medical professional diagnose fibromyalgia by allowing the physician to apply pressure to key tender areas and communicating pain levels, establishing fibromyalgia natural treatment goals for reducing pain and tracking treatment effectiveness and progress consistently is only the beginning. Incorporating and maintaining a healthy diet, getting restful, adequate sleep and being active are all part of managing and living with fibromyalgia.