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Freedom From FibromyalgiaYour Complete Guide To Pain Relief |
Fibromyalgia and Rheumatica
Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be extremely difficult. Many other illnesses – including lupus and rheumatica – share the same symptoms as fibromyalgia, making the opportunity for misdiagnosis ripe. Often mistaken for fibromyalgia, rheumatica mirrors many of the same symptoms.
Additionally, the patient profile of those with fibromyalgia
and rheumatica is strikingly similar. Both are classified as syndromes and tend
to target women, although rheumatica is most common in women between their 50s
and 70s while fibromyalgia tends to strike women of all ages. Those with the
condition giant cell arteritis are also more prone to
suffering from rheumatica as are those women of European descent, most
particularly from Scandinavia.
Similar to fibromyalgia, rheumatica has known no known cause, although there is speculation as to what might cause the debilitating illness. One theory is rheumatica is caused by an autoimmune disorder that inflames the joints while others firmly believe rheumatica is the result of a respiratory infection.>
Because its symptoms are so
similar to those of fibromyalgia, rheumatica is difficult to diagnose. The
prominent symptoms of rheumatica include widespread pain, muscle and joint
pain, depression, loss of weight, fatigue, stiffness, little or no appetite,
tingling in the fingers, fever, and swelling of the hands. More serious side
effects include: cataracts, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure. In some
cases, rheumatica will sometimes also develop arthritis.
Additionally, as with
fibromyalgia, rheumatica can often lead to other illnesses, such as giant cell
arteritis. Giant cell arteritis’ prevailing symptom is the swelling and
inflammation of the arteries. It is absolutely essential to treat giant cell
arteritis; failure to do so could result in blindness, strokes, and aneurysm.
As with fibromyalgia, rheumatica is extremely difficult to diagnose. Before initiating any tests, your doctor will discuss your medical history with you, paying particular attention to your particular symptoms. He’ll also administer two blood tests, rheumatoid factor and erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR). The rheumatoid factor tests your blood to determine if it contains rheumatoid factor. If your blood does contain rheumatoid factor, you cannot have rheumatica.
The erythrocyte sedimentation blood test determines the level of inflammation. When the blood is put into a test tube, it is tested to see how long it takes to settle at the bottom of the tube. When blood cells drop quickly, it is an indication of inflammation, which in turn can be rheumatica. Fortunately, unlike fibromyalgia, rheumatica can be diagnosed with the aid of a blood test.
Treatment is absolutely vital, and like with fibromyalgia, rheumatica requires a healthy diet and exercise. Talk with your doctor about the best foods and exercise for your rheumatica – he or she may also recommend you start physical therapy. While diet and exercise won’t cure rheumatica, it is essential in helping to alleviate some of your symptoms.
Additionally, as with fibromyalgia, rheumatica is often aggressively treated with medication. If your symptoms are mild, your doctor may simply start you taking ibuprofen or aspirin. Those with severe rheumatic symptoms generally take corticosteroids like prednisone. Taking steroids for an extended period could lead to such side effects as osteoporosis, cataracts, and high blood pressure. Discuss the risks and benefits of corticosteroids with your doctor
Whether you have fibromyalgia or rheumatica, you must learn how to properly take care of yourself, and that includes adding exercise to your daily regiment. You may have to start slowly, but eventually you want to workout at a minimum of a half an hour a day. The best exercise for those with rheumatica is walking, biking (on a stationary exercise bike), and swimming. Furthermore, you should always stretch before you exercise.
Incorporating a healthy diet into your life is another necessity for those with rheumatica and fibromyalgia. Ensure you get plenty of calcium in your diet while cutting back on alcohol, sugar, and salt. Most doctors recommend those with rheumatica eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meat, and whole grains.
Finally, just like fibromyalgia, rheumatica flare-ups can occur when you do too much. Make sure you set limits, and learn how to pace yourself. If you have to start and stop to rest while you’re doing something, do so. It may take you longer to accomplish your goal, but at least you’re going to feel better.
© Health Research Today
Read the rest of this article in Freedom From Fibromyalgia!