For some people, waking up every day means the start of persistent pain that affects their mood, thinking and relationships. This experience is more difficult when the pain doesn’t seem to have a cause; at least not a visible one. That’s the reality for people with fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder characterised by pain and muscle tenderness throughout the body where even the slightest touch can be sensitive. Sufferers often have other health issues, including sleep difficulties and fatigue. For a long time, fibromyalgia was thought of as a medical mystery. Technological advancement…
Read MoreDay: November 24, 2023
7 organs or glands you may do just fine without
But if they’re unneeded, why do we have them? September 18, 2023By Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing There was a time when pediatricians routinely recommended tonsil removal, even for healthy children — including me. As far as I can tell, I suffered no ill effects — plus, I got extra ice cream! That practice is no longer routine. But it does raise an interesting question: Why do we have body parts that can be safely removed? If they’re not…
Read MoreCellulitis: How long does it take to heal on legs?
When this common skin infection affects the lower leg, symptoms can persist for days after successful antibiotic treatment. November 20, 2023By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter Cellulitis is an infection of the deep layers of the skin. It develops when bacteria enter through a cut, bite, or wound — including tiny breaks in cracked, dry skin. Common skin-dwelling bacteria, Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, are the usual culprits. Although cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body, the most common location is the lower leg. Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and associate professor…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between polymyalgia and fibromyalgia?
The term myalgia refers to muscle pain. Both fibromyalgia and polymyalgia cause pain and tension in the muscles, but they differ in their other symptoms, causes, and treatments. Getting a correct diagnosis is key to ensure proper treatment and symptom management. Both polymyalgia and fibromyalgia are more common in women than men. Polymyalgia usually occurs in people aged over 55, while, fibromyalgia is common among young and middle-aged people. In this article, we look at the similarities and differences between polymyalgia and fibromyalgia, including symptoms, treatments, and medications. Polymyalgia vs. fibromyalgia Polymyalgia and fibromyalgia are often…
Read MoreFibromyalgia: Many may receive wrong diagnosis
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects millions of people in the United States. However, the authors of a new study now warn that a significant number of people who have received a diagnosis may not, in reality, have this condition. People with fibromyalgia experience pain all over the body, as well as fatigue, headaches, and increased sensitivity to painful stimuli. Other symptoms may include depression and anxiety, poor sleep, and problems with memory or thinking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fibromyalgia affects approximately 4 millionTrusted Source adults in the U.S., which equates to…
Read MorePeople with fibromyalgia have different gut bacteria
A study that compared women with and without fibromyalgia has, for the first time, linked gut bacteria to the long-lasting disease and its main symptoms. Researchers in Canada identified 19 species of gut bacteria that were present in higher or lower numbers in individuals with fibromyalgia. “We found,” says Amir Minerbi, of the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at McGill University in Montreal, “that fibromyalgia and the symptoms of fibromyalgia — pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties — contribute more than any of the other factors to the variations we see in the…
Read MoreFibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12 calls attention to fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12 calls attention to fibromyalgia, which has plagued many people over the centuries. Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes chronic pain all over the body. Other symptoms also include fatigue, anxiety, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, skin sensitivity, insomnia, numbness, stiffness, etc. People suffering from fibromyalgia either go undiagnosed for years or are misdiagnosed. Due to a lack of research and the difficulty in identifying the factors that cause the illness, many also believe that the disease is psychological and not real. Moreover, there is…
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