Fibromyalgia is one of those hidden diseases that is still very much a disease that’s fighting to be recognized (Fibromyalgia debate continues ), which adds to the difficulties faced by those who live with it. They know it’s real – they have to live with its effects on a daily basis.

According to the National Fibromyalgia Association :

In 1993, May 12 was designated as the International Awareness Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) by Tom Hennessy, the founder of RESCIND, Inc. (Repeal Existing Stereotypes about Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases), to memorialize the birth date of Florence Nightingale, the English army nurse who inspired the founding of the International Red Cross. Nightingale contracted a paralyzing, CIND-like illness in her mid-thirties and spent the last 50 years of her life virtually bedridden. Despite her illness, she managed to found the world’s first School of Nursing.

The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) joined the Awareness Day effort in 1997 and has led the call for increased recognition of fibromyalgia each May 12.

When different causes have national days or weeks, or even months, I’ve heard people say, “what’s the point?” And, while I can see how it can get tiresome seeming to always have a cause of the day/week/month, this is often the only way to get people to understand, to recognize, the existence of these issues.

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder that has a range of symptoms, from fatigue to pain and more. It affects both men and women, but women with fibro outnumber men by far.

After many years of doctors not understanding what fibro was, diagnostic criteria was determined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in 1990.

The vague nature of the complaints may often be mistaken for other illnesses, so doctors are encouraged to rule out other illnesses first. This is often called, diagnosis by exclusion: by excluding possible illnesses, you’re left with fibromyalgia. When a doctor is diagnosing fibro, it usually includes a history of widespread pain all over the body for at least 3 months. There is also pain in at least 11 of the 18 designated tender points – brought on when a specified amount of pressure is applied.

If you believe you may have fibromylagia, speak with your healthcare provider. While there’s no cure for the disease, there are ways you may be able to manage the symptoms, and make life easier for yourself.

For more information on fibromyalgia, you can visit:

MayoClinic.com

National Fibromyalgia Association

FM-CFS Canada

UK Fibromyalgia.com

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Image: Newscom

Post from: Blisstree

National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day