The role of stress and depression in fibromyalgia - Essay Example

The term ‘fibromyalgia’ means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. It is a confusing and often misdiagnosed condition. Perhaps fibromyalgia could be better explained to some by discussing the following: Fibromyalgia is defined as a “…chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips; also may cause sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms.

” (“UK HealthCare”, 2005). It is a complex and painful condition, which occurs primarily – about 80% of the time – in women. It affects up to 5% of the entire population, including children. Many medical professionals believe that there is a connection between fibromyalgia and chronic sleep disorder, and in fact some even theorize that they are actually the same syndrome. The symptoms and signs of fibromyalgia can be minute, large, often painful, and sometimes even debilitating, but are not life threatening.

Symptoms of this disorder include: aching, burning or throbbing pain, sleeping disorders, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea, numbness or tingling sensations, chronic headaches, heightened sensitivity to such things as loud noises and bright lights, painful menstrual periods, painful sexual intercourse, frequent urination, rapid or irregular heart rate, shortness of breath, impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems, and sensation of swelling in the hands and feet – just to name the most common.

Pain is the primary symptom, and is reported in virtually 100% of cases, most often in areas of the following: back of the head, elbows, hips, knees, neck, upper back, and upper chest. The severity of this pain is