Fibromyalgia symptoms: This sign can signify your condition isn't rheumatoid arthritis
FIBROMYALGIA symptoms tend to vary from person to person, but there are clear differences between it and another pain-related condition, rheumatoid arthritis. How can you tell which one you have? While the two have similar signs, there is also a clear distinction between both.
Fibromyalgia patient describes the pain she experiences
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain in the body and increased sensitive to pain.
But many people who suffer from pain in their body may be confused between this and another pain-related condition, arthritis.
Both are rheumatic conditions, which mean they affect your joints and muscles, but how can you differentiate between the two?
The defining feature of rheumatoid arthritis is joint inflammation, which causes joint pain, swelling, and redness.
According to the NHS, the joint pain is usually throbbing and aching pain, and is often worse in the morning and after a period of inactivity.
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Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain in the body and increased sensitive to pain. But many people who suffer from pain in their body may be confused between this and another pain-related condition, arthritis
With fibromyalgia, the pain is widespread, but can be worse in particular areas, such as your back or neck.
The health body says the pain can feel like an ache, a burning sensation or a sharp stabbing pain.
Other defining features of fibromyalgia can include fatigue, brain fog, tingling or numbness in the feet or hands that comes and goes, anxiety and bowel irritability.
Because the condition can make you fee tired and worn out, nutritionists at Healhline say eating certain foods can give you more energy.
According to the site, eating beans can give you more energy.
It states: “Avoid sweets, which will only give you a quick sugar boost, Your body will burn right through them, and then you’ll crash. Instead, eat foods that will give you more energy to get through your day.
“Combine protein or fats with carbohydrates to slow down their absorption. Choose fresh, whole foods high in fibre and low in added sugars.”
Alongside beans, foods it lists include almonds and other nuts and seeds, broccoli, tofu, oatmeal, dark leafy greens, and avocado.
Is there a test for fibromyalgia?
There’s no specific test to diagnose the condition, but when you visit your GP your body will be examined to check for visible signs of the condition - for example, swollen joints could suggests arthritis rather than fibromyalgia.
How to treat fibromyalgia
Because fibromyalgia has numerous symptoms, no single treatment will work for all cases.
Lifestyle changes and medication will most likely be the recommended forms of treatment by your GP, but other healthcare professional may be involved in your care.
These include a rheumatologist - a specialist in conditions that affect muscles and joints - a neurologist - a spiciest in condition of the central nervous system - and a psychologist - a specialist in mental health and psychological treatments.
Certain foods have also been proven to help with arthritis pain.
Certain exercises could also help reduce joint inflammation.
