Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects many Americans but that is not well characterized. While there is no way to diagnose the condition through lab tests, the disease is very real and can ravage the bodies of its victims with intolerable pain. This article will be looking at treatment options for fibromyalgia. For information about the disease, such as symptoms and risk factors, click here.
There are many ways to alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia, including medication, alternative remedies, and lifestyle changes; jowever, there is no pill that can cure fibromyalgia. In order for the patient to feel relief, often times a multidisciplinary approach is necessary.
An important lifestyle adjustment for those suffering from fibromyalgia is exercise, (especially aerobic activities) because this increases the body’s production of endorphins, which are feel-good hormones. Endorphins are released by your body during periods of strenuous exercise and can be seen as “natural painkillers.” Because of this, exercise can help to decrease the sensation of pain that people with fibromyalgia experience. Exercise has the added benefit of decreasing the fatigue associated with fibromyalgia, and can help those who suffer from it to get a deeper sleep at night.
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Fibromyalgia is also treated with medications, including pain medications, such as over-the-counter Tylenol or Advil. If the pain is more severe, prescription pain medications may also be given by your doctor. Other types of drugs, including antidepressants or anti-seizure drugs, may be prescribed to help with fatigue as well as pain.
Finally, alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and yoga, are also used to help the affected relax, which is key to controlling fibromyalgia symptoms. Acupuncture in particular can physiologically help address issues by altering the level of neurotransmitters and blood flow around the spinal cord.
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As can be seen, controlling and easing the symptoms of fibromyalgia is not as simple as taking a pill; it also requires a change to the lifestyle of those affected by it. While medication can help, exercise as well as natural forms of controlling pain are equally important for helping people cope with this disease.
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