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Arthritis Fibromyalgia
By Ray Lam | July 18, 2008
Fibromyalgia is a body-wide pain with various tender spots accompanied by fatigue and other symptoms. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed after at least three full months of widespread body pain in the joints and muscles with various tender spots. The tender spots must include 11 of 18 predetermined by specialists as those that are always present in the condition. The tender points are those of fibrous tissue. These are usually muscle areas in the buttocks, shoulders, rib cage, neck, chest, thighs, knees and arms near the elbows. It is possible to mistake fibromyalgia symptoms with those of arthritis. However, arthritis carries with it marked disfigurement of joints and swelling in affected areas that fibromyalgia alone does not.
The pain in these tender spots especially is described as a deep and gnawing pain that radiated throughout the body from the tender spots. The pain tends to be worse upon awakening and then again before bed.
Swelling or damage in the joints is known as arthritis. Some patients affected by arthritis though, could also be suffering from fibromyalgia. The swelling caused because of fibromyalgia occurs mostly in the hands and the feet. This can be used as a distinguishing tool between patients of arthritis and those of fibromyalgia. While those suffering from fibromyalgia get swellings that resemble edema, those suffering from arthritis get swelling which are particularly located at the joints.
One thing that one must always keep in mind is the fact that in case of the disease under discussion, the swelling will never be in the painful areas. Yet, if one exerts pressure over the painful areas then the patient is sure to wince.
The amount of swelling one has on one?s body parts is defined by the amount of stress that the patient is undergoing. If the patient is under minimum emotional stress then the swelling on his or her body will be barely visible and vice versa. The swelling on a patient?s body is thus, an indicator of his emotional condition as well.
Topics: Health&Fitness |
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