Fibromyalgia is a fairly new term in the medical world, so a lot of people have never heard of it or don’t understand what it is. It can often be difficult to diagnose, and it will often be diagnosed once other conditions and diseases have been ruled out through testing.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic health disorder that affects the body in several ways. It is thought that the neural pathways that deliver pain messages to the brain become confused and begin to send messages of pain without there being an actual source to cause the pain. It can also affect a person’s ability to think clearly and process information. The symptoms often come on after a triggering event, such as a serious injury or health crisis, but linger long after the originating event is long over.
Fibromyalgia symptoms
Fibromyalgia symptoms may vary from person to person, but the three key symptoms of most people with fibromyalgia include:
- Widespread Pain. Most sufferers report chronic pain that doesn’t go away for months or years. It can be located almost anywhere in the body, such as the arms, legs, head, chest, abdomen, and back. It isn’t directly linked to a specific injury, but those areas have a constant dull ache that can at times throb or burn.
- Fatigue. Fibromyalgia leads to constant fatigue that isn’t relieved by rest or sleep. Many people with fibromyalgia also have trouble sleeping and may wake up from the pain or struggle with restless leg syndrome.
- Brain Fog. Fibromyalgia often leads to “brain fog” or “fibro fog.” It can make it hard for the person to pay attention or complete a task without concerted effort.
Other symptoms Fibromyalgia sufferers may struggle with can include:
- Recurring headaches
- Sensitivity to noise, lights, or smells
- Muscle and joint stiffness
- Tingling sensations in the arms and legs
- Digestive issues, like irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, or diarrhea
- Anxiety and/or depression
Fibromyalgia Risk Factors
While it’s not exactly determined who will develop fibromyalgia, certain factors can increase the risk of developing it.
- Being a woman.
- Having a family history.
- Having related conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or obesity.
- Having had an injury or a triggering event.
Getting Help for Your Loved One
If your elderly loved one has fibromyalgia, she might struggle to perform some daily living activities. Fibromyalgia can rob people of the energy needed to perform things like household chores or yard work. The aches and pains from the condition can make certain movements painful and difficult to perform. There isn’t a cure for fibromyalgia, and while there are some medications and treatments your loved one can partake in to reduce her symptoms, many fibromyalgia sufferers can benefit from getting help with daily living tasks.
A home care assistance team can help your loved one around her home if she needs assistance managing her home, her daily care, or her daily living activities. With home care assistance, your loved one can get the help she needs in the areas that are most beneficial to her because each home care assistance provider will cater their services to the areas that will be most beneficial to your loved one. They might help with making meals, cleaning around the home, or transportation if your loved one isn’t comfortable driving. A home care assistance provider can help your loved one stay in her home safely.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care Assistance in New Milford, CT, please contact the caring staff at Elderly Caregivers LLC. today at (203) 628-7438
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