Synopses & Reviews
Remember the body aches you experienced the last time you had a bad flu? Now multiply that pain times ten and you have some idea of what everyday life can be like for fibromyalgia sufferers. A chronic medical condition characterized mainly by pain in the muscles and tendons throughout the entire body, fibromyalgia is known to afflict more than 6 million people in the United States and millions more around the world. Yet, many people, including some doctors, think that “fibromyalgia” is just another word for “hypochondria.”
If you have fibromyalgia you have some idea of how frustrating it is to have your suffering dismissed by your friends, family, and coworkers, and how hard it can be to find professional help in managing your disease. Now for the good news: Written by one of the world’s leading experts on fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia For Dummies is a complete, easy-to-use guide to coping with chronic pain and other symptoms associated with that disease. You get expert advice and guidance on how to:
- Determine if you have fibromyalgia
- Minimize pain
- Control fatigue and dramatically boost your energy level
- Sleep better
- Find the right doctor to help manage your problem
- Know which foods to eat and which to avoid
- Develop an exercise routine
- Manage the strains on your work and family lives
Dr. Roland Staud offers you immediate relief from the physical and emotional pain of fibromyalgia with. He fills you in on the latest science on what fibromyalgia is and how you get it, and he offers a wealth of practical information on:
- The pros and cons of traditional prescription medications
- Over-the-counter remedies and how to use them
- Alternative therapies that can help, including herbs, supplements, botox, acupuncture, aromatherapy and more
- Life-style changes that help ease your pain
- Managing the emotional stress associated with fibromyalgia
A gold mine of expert information and guidance, Fibromyalgia For Dummies will help you feel better and live and happier, more productive life—starting today.
Synopsis
Identifies trigger points and treatment options
Cope with chronic pain and sleep problems
This easy-to-use guide will help you identify fibromyalgia symptoms, find the right doctor, and develop a plan of care. You get up-to-date information on prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as alternative therapies that will help you manage your pain while handling work and family life.
The Dummies Way
- Explanations in plain English
- "Get in, get out" information
- Icons and other navigational aids
- Tear-out cheat sheet
- Top ten lists
- A dash of humor and fun
Synopsis
FMS sufferers share their stories and tipsThe fun and easy way® to stop hurting and start healing
Are you fed up with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS)? Want to find relief? This plain-English guide outlines the latest treatments and highlights new research. You'll see how to spot the various symptoms and their possible causes, work with your physician to develop a plan of care, and manage your pain at home or the office.
- Identify your trigger points
Cope with chronic pain and sleep problems
Evaluate the new medications
Make healing lifestyle changes
Help a child with FMS
About the Author
Roland Staud, MD,is a rheumatologist and a professor of medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, as well as a noted and internationally renowned medical researcher. Dr. Staud’s continuing and cuttingedge research on fibromyalgia is supported by the National Institutes of Health and other funding organizations. His research has clearly demonstrated that patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) have detectable central nervous system abnormalities of pain processing resulting in increased pain sensitivity and prolonged pain experiences.
Dedicated to helping FMS patients by sharing his knowledge as much as possible, Dr. Staud is greatly appreciated by attendees at major national and international fibromyalgia and arthritis conferences, where he is a frequent speaker. He is also on the editorial boards of Painand European Journal of Pain. In addition, he is a reviewer for the Clinical Journal of Pain, Journal of Pain, European Journal of Pain,and Pain.He has authored many medical journal articles on fibromyalgia and other topics.
Dr. Staud is a diplomate of the American Board of Rheumatology and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American College of Rheumatology, the International Association for the Study of Pain, the American Pain Society, and the International MYOPAIN Society. Dr. Staud is licensed to practice medicine in Florida.
Christine Adamechas been a freelance writer for more than 20 years, concentrating on self-help and medical/health issues. She has authored or coauthored 14 books, including The Encyclopedia of Diabetes(Facts On File, Inc.) and How to Stop Heartburn(Wiley), and has written numerous magazine and newspaper health features. Ms. Adamec is a member of the American Society of Journalists & Authors.
Table of Contents
Introduction.
Part I: Fibromyalgia Is the Real Deal: What It Is and Is Not.
Chapter 1: Yes, Fibromyalgia Is Real.
Chapter 2: Recognizing Key Symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
Chapter 3: Understanding Possible Causes of Fibromyalgia.
Chapter 4: Understanding Fibromyalgia Pain.
Part II: Finding Out If You Have Fibromyalgia.
Chapter 5: Who Gets Picked to Have Fibromyalgia?
Chapter 6: Identifying Diseases Often Confused with Fibromyalgia.
Chapter 7: Working with a Good Fibromyalgia Doc: You Need a True Believer.
Chapter 8: Getting Physical: Your Initial Exam and Diagnosis.
Part III: Getting to Wellness: How Fibromyalgia is Treated.
Chapter 9: Medicating the Problem:Over-the-Counter Drugs May Help.
Chapter 10: Prescribing Health with Medications.
Chapter 11: Using Hands-On Therapies.
Chapter 12: Considering Alternative Remedies and Treatments.
Part IV: Lifestyle Changes: What You Can Do on Your Own.
Chapter 13: Depressurizing Yourself: Controlling the Stress-Eyed Monster.
Chapter 14: Sweet Dreams! Combating Sleep Disorders.
Chapter 15: Exercising, Losing Weight, and Avoiding Trigger Foods/Drinks.
Chapter 16: Coping with Emotions: Your Own.
Part V: Living and Working with Fibromyalgia.
Chapter 17: Working with Fibromyalgia - Or Going on Disability.
Chapter 18: Helping Loved Ones Deal with Your Fibromyalgia.
Chapter 19: Helping Someone You Care About Who's Hurting.
Chapter 20: Parenting a Child with Fibromyalgia.
Part VI: The Part of Tens.
Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Explain Fibromyalgia to Everyone (Even Your Doctor!).
Chapter 22: Ten Must-Dos for Everyone with Fibromyalgia.
Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Beat the Effects of Brain Fog.
Chapter 24: Ten Myths about Fibromyalgia.
Part VII: Appendixes.
Appendix A: Glossary.
Appendix B: Fibromyalgia Medications.
Appendix C: Resources and Support.
Index.