Fibromyalgia is a condition that affects millions of people around the world. The disorder causes chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. It also can cause symptoms like depression, anxiety, and more in some people. This article will talk about how fibromyalgia affects females in particular as well as other symptoms they may experience. Let’s look at fibromyalgia in females.
What you will learn
How do you know if you have fibromyalgia?
The only way of knowing for sure is by seeing a healthcare professional. However, some symptoms can help you identify what might be going on so that it’s easier to get treatment for fibromyalgia. It is a tricky condition to diagnose because there is no specific test for it. However, a healthcare professional will take into account the symptoms you experience, such as:
- Fatigue
- Pain in different parts of your body or an overall feeling of being sore and stiff
- Sleep problems like insomnia or hypersomnia (too much sleep)
Symptoms of fibromyalgia in females are as follows:
- Pain in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. These are areas that females tend to experience a lot of tension.
- Trouble sleeping because pain makes it difficult to relax for long periods of time which can cause fatigue.
- The feeling of being overwhelmed or out of control when stress builds up from work, family problems.
- There are certain trigger points on the body that if touched, will cause pain.
- Changes in appetite or weight. One of the symptoms is feeling full after eating a small amount and having difficulty maintaining weight due to excessive hunger.
- Difficulty concentrating can make it hard for women to complete tasks at work because they are always riddled with thoughts about their family problems.
- Problems traveling long periods and sitting in one position for a long time can cause pain.
- A long period of time to recover from illness or injury makes sense because they have trouble getting enough restful sleep due to pain.
- More pain with weather changes is noted. Snow and rain can make the symptoms worse.
- A lot of people with chronic pain also suffer from depression. This is because they are constantly in a state of stress when their bodies have been going through so many painful experiences and emotions.
- Painful menstrual cramps, pelvic floor dysfunction, or irritable bowel syndrome can all be symptoms of fibromyalgia.
- Very bad hangovers from alcohol. Check out our blog on fibromyalgia and alcohol.
Treatments for fibromyalgia in females:
- Hormonal treatments
- Physical therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Medications such as Lyrica and Cymbalta.
- Ibuprofen
- Yoga has been shown to decrease both pain and the symptoms of depression
- Healthy eating lifestyle
What are the long-term effects of fibromyalgia on the female body?
- It can be difficult to have children.
- It can get worse with age.
- It can be difficult for females to maintain a healthy weight.
Who can help me with this condition? The best options for help with fibromyalgia are:
- Registered Nurse
- Physical Therapist
- Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
- Psychologist or Psychiatrist, especially one who specializes in work with chronic pain and mental health issues.
What is the prognosis for females suffering from fibromyalgia?
The prognosis for females suffering from this disease is that it can be a life-long condition, but there are ways to manage the disease and lead as fulfilling of liveliness as possible.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we’ve explored how fibromyalgia affects females and the importance of understanding these symptoms. We hope that you have found it helpful in gaining a better understanding of what to look for when someone tells you they are experiencing chronic pain or fatigue. If you want more information about this topic, feel free to continue reading our other posts on the subject!