Reader\'s Digest Australia - 05.2019

May• 2019 | 23

some doctors have chalked
fibromyalgia up to overactive
imaginations. However, this
position is becoming less common
as more studies show that the
condition is fairly frequent. Most
medical authorities, including the
World Health Organization, now
recognise fibromyalgia.
Unfortunately, there’s no known
cure and existing treatments are
aimed at relieving symptoms.
Patients are typically encouraged to
try non-pharmaceutical measures

first, then add drugs such as muscle

relaxants or painkillers, if necessary.

To date, the most effective

method of tempering pain seems

to be graded exercise. This involves

starting at an appropriate level

• which can sometimes be quite
  modest – and gradually working
  up, says Dr Gary Macfarlane,
  lead author of the European
  League Against Rheumatism’s
  recommendations for managing
  the condition. Regular exercise
  brings at least modest relief to the

Symptoms of fibromyalgia

you might be ignoring

EXHAUSTIONIf

you’re tired all the

time and have already

tried investigating

obvious options such

as eating healthier

and sleeping more, it

could be a symptom

of fibromyalgia.

HEADACHES

Debilitating

headaches that are so

severe you experience

nausea or vomiting

can be a symptom.

INCREASED

SENSITIVITY

Sensory issues can

be a symptom of

fibromyalgia such

as clothes feeling

‘heavier’ than normal

or experiencing

pain from simply

bumping lightly into

something.

JOINT ACHES

Experiencing joint

pain for no reason

which isn’t alleviated

by OTC pain relievers

is a common sign of

fibromyalgia.

FEELING COLDThose

with fibromyalgia

symptoms experience

increased sensitivity

to temperature drops.

BOWEL ISSUES

Suffering from

irritable bowel

syndrome (IBS) is

closely associated

with fibromyalgia. As

is diarrhoea and the

inability to empty the

bowels because of

muscle stiffness.

MENSTRUAL PAIN

While extreme

menstrual cramps can

be caused by many

other factors, they

can also be one of the

many fibromyalgia

symptoms.

BRAIN FOGInability

to concentrate or

feeling like you’ve

got cotton muffling

your thoughts is a

common fibromyalgia

symptom.

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