For those who have read anything about fibromyalgia, or are pondering what is fibromyalgia?, you will then be aware that it is a disorder that affects the joints and muscles in the body. It is painful, fatigue, and a whole host of other symptoms including sleep problems, irritable bowel syndrome and depression.
Some research has shown that fibromyalgia is the result of a bacterial process, but this isn't yet proved conclusive. Because the real cause is not yet properly known, and scientists continue to be wondering what is fibromyalgia, doctors primarily treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia, as a cure is not yet known.
What's Fibromyalgia - The Effects Of Stress
One of the main things that exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms is stress. Many people know that stress is really a killer in that it raises blood pressure level and can be linked to heart attacks. Stress can also be responsible for the worsening of many conditions, including fibromyalgia. It can cause severe fibromyalgia break out. One of the questions that must definitely be asked along with what is fibromyalgia is why is it affected by stress.
Stress causes muscles to tense up. If we are stressed we may clench our teeth together, bunch in the muscles in our foreheads, but a lot of the stress we suffer is gathered within our shoulders. Unfortunately most fibromyalgia patients have numerous tender spots in their shoulder region which is made worse by stress.
What Is Fibromyalgia - Positive Stress
Interestingly, stress could be sectioned into positive stress and negative stress. Positive stress can be linked to something a person is excited about, like a wedding, or a holiday. Even if a person is looking forward to an event which they will enjoy, this is likely to cause positive stress. And even positive stress might have an impact on fibromyalgia.
When a patient has started to manage their fibromyalgia then these celebrations or positive stress high points in everyday life can be planned and carefully managed. Reducing other stress is a good method to make sure that a patients stress levels don't reach too high. Getting help make sure all tasks are done is another way to make sure stress is not too high a level, since it is very easy to be stressed when one feels there are many things to get done.
If positive stress can be managed, this is an excellent outcome. It won't only help the patient to be more confident in their management of the disorder, but will also boost the patients self-esteem. The long lasting effects of high self-esteem are well documented but incorporate a boost to the mental health from the patient which again may have a positive affect on fibromyalgia.
So by looking over this article and making yourself aware, you'll be able to more satisfactorily answer the question what is fibromyalgia.