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Understanding the Variances Between Fibromyalgia and Lupus
Fibromyalgia and lupus are often misunderstood and can have similar symptoms, which makes them confusing. However, they are different conditions. Let’s explore what sets them apart.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting condition that causes pain all over the body and other symptoms. Scientists are still figuring out why it happens, and there’s no cure yet.
It primarily affects women between 30 and 50 years old and might run in families. Stress, whether physical or emotional, can trigger it.
In fibromyalgia, the brain and nerves handle pain differently. This might be due to lower serotonin levels and higher levels of a protein called substance P.
Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that affects mood, sleep, digestion, and movement. Substance P helps send pain signals in the body.
When these chemicals are out of balance, people with fibromyalgia feel pain more intensely, which can significantly affect their daily lives.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia mainly causes widespread pain all over the body. This means feeling either intense pain in a few different areas or lighter pain in many areas. The pain can change from day to day and can move around to different parts of the body.
People with fibromyalgia might also experience:
- Muscle stiffness
- Feeling very tired
- Sleep that doesn’t make them feel rested
- Headaches and migraines
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Clumsiness
- Dizziness
- Digestive or bladder issues
These symptoms can make even simple tasks difficult. On a good day, someone with fibromyalgia might be able to do their usual activities, but on a bad day, they might find it hard to get out of bed. This can affect their work and social life, sometimes leading to anxiety and depression.
