Fibromyalgia is a potentially debilitating disease that affects over millions of Americans. It is a musculoskeletal disorder that affects the processing of brain signals, resulting in heightened feelings of pain in addition to issues with sleep, mood, memory and fatigue.
But how does Social Security view Fibromyalgia? Can a claimant be found to be disabled if they have this condition? Like many other conditions, fibromyalgia is not yet fully understood by the medical community, but scientists and medical professionals have speculated that fibromyalgia may be caused by infections, genetics and emotional or physical trauma, though they are still uncertain of the exact cause(s) of fibromyalgia at this time. Fibromyalgia has been linked to factors such as repetitive injuries, traumatic events, and prolonged illness. Certain diseases can also aggravate and exacerbate fibromyalgia, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and spinal arthritis. This painful condition affects women far more than men.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Treatments
The symptoms of fibromyalgia will vary from one person to the next. From severe to sometimes only mild symptoms. Some have pain throughout their entire body and others only have pain in specific areas. Most patients suffering from fibromyalgia are easily fatigued and have difficulty sleeping. Fibromyalgia often causes difficulties with cognitive function, including a lack of focus, concentration and attention, and memory problems. You may also experience additional conditions , such as joint disorders, depression, anxiety, migraines and irritable bowel syndrome. Many people will not have any symptoms until after a triggering event, such as surgery, psychological stress, infection or physical trauma. Other people will experience a gradual worsening of symptoms over time.
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