UNDERSTANDING FIBROMYALGIA

An Explanatory Photo Gallery By Maggie Lohmiller

Photos Courtesy of BK Biz Fibromyalgia

What is Fibromyalgia?

Photo Courtesy of Scientific American.

“…chronic widespread muscular pain and symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, stiffness, cognitive and memory problems, and symptoms of depression and anxiety…”

- American College of Rheumatology

Common Symptoms

Photo Courtesy of A Disease A Day

Above shows a short list of the most common symptoms.

Fibromyalgia Cycle

Photo Courtesy of The Medical Symptoms Database

Symptoms tend to appear in a cyclical series.

The 18 Tender Points

Photo Courtesy of www.fibromyalgia-leesburg.com

Fibromyalgia sufferers experience tenderness in the parts of the body illustrated above.

Stressors Can Exacerbate Symptoms

Photo Courtesy of Fibro Center.

Patients were polled on what stressors aggravate their symptoms.

Treatments: Medication

Photo Courtesy of Photo Courtesy of Lyrica, Savella.

There are few fibromyalgia-specific drugs, however there are numerous other types of drugs

prescribed to best fit the patient’s symptoms.

Treatments: Alternative and Complementary

Photo Courtesy of Web MD.

Diet, massage therapy, exercise, stress-management, acupuncture, herbal supplements,

and ample sleep are all treatments for Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Photo Courtesy of National Fibromyalgia Association.

The mission of the National Fibromyalgia Association is to bring awareness and promote research about this disorder.