It’s often said that more than 90 percent of people with fibromyalgia are women, but more recent studies suggest fibro in men is much more common than previously thought. When Zane K. suspected he had fibromyalgia, he mentioned it to his doctor. The response: “He laughed,” Zane recalled in a Facebook post, “and said it was a women’s syndrome.” He had to find a new doctor, endure months of tests, and get a recommendation to see a rheumatologist before he was finally diagnosed with the condition. CreakyJoints member Carl H.…
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How to recognize fibromyalgia flares
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body. Symptoms of fibromyalgia flares vary but often involve widespread pain, joint stiffness, and extreme sensitivity to stimuli. Scientists estimate that around 4 million adultsTrusted Source in the United States have fibromyalgia. Women are twice as likely to have fibromyalgia as men. Children can have fibromyalgia, but it is more common in older adults. When fibromyalgia pains flare up, every activity can seem more difficult. All people experience flares differently, and there can be different triggers depending on the person. This…
Read MoreIs fibromyalgia real?
Ask the doctors Q. My friend was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but it seems like she might be imagining her symptoms. Is fibromyalgia a real condition?A. The short answer to your question is yes. Fibromyalgia is a real condition that affects some four million Americans. It’s a chronic pain syndrome that experts believe may be caused by a malfunctioning nervous system. Researchers using magnetic resonance imaging to examine the brains of people with fibromyalgia have found abnormalities in the part of the brain that processes pain signals from the body. It appears that this…
Read MoreIs fibromyalgia worse in women?
Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men. They also typically experience more severe symptoms. Fibromyalgia symptoms in women can include fatigue, pain throughout the body, digestive issues, and more. Studies show that women with fibromyalgia typically experience moreTrusted Source generalized pain, distress, and other associated symptoms, than men. In this article, we explore the different ways that men and women may experience fibromyalgia. We also describe common causes and treatments. A note about sex and gender Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,”…
Read MoreHidden and unexplained: feeling the pain of fibromyalgia
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 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 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…
Read MoreWhy are my heels cracked?
Ask the doctor By Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women’s Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor Q. Even though I apply rich moisturizers to my heels, they’re severely cracked—so badly that they sometimes bleed. Why is this happening? A. Also known as heel fissures, cracks in the heels occur when the skin on the bottom of the heel becomes hard and parched, and is sometimes associated with thick heel calluses. Often, softening the skin with moisturizers or petroleum jelly does the trick — especially during dry winter months —…
Read MoreLady Gaga says she suffers from fibromyalgia; what is it?
Days after debuting her Netflix documentary Lady Gaga: Five Foot Two at the Toronto Film Festival on Friday, the singer/actress says she wants to connect with others struggling with fibromyalgia. “In our documentary the #chronicillness #chronicpain I deal w/ is #Fibromyalgia I wish to help raise awareness & connect people who have it,” she tweeted Tuesday. She also replied to a user who commented on how Gaga’s discussion of the illness opened the door for others to talk about their experiences with chronic pain. “I am praying that more and more people come forward…
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