Arthritis is an inflammation (swelling) of one or more of your body’s joints. This results in stiffness, discomfort, redness, heat, and edoema around the affected joint(s). There are numerous varieties of arthritis, each with its own set of causes. The inflammation could be caused by an injury to that area of the body. It could also happen for no apparent cause. Some types of arthritis have been connected to family history and genetics. So you may be predisposed to it if anyone else in your family is. However, not everyone with arthritis has a familial history. If your family has a history of arthritis. It’s possible that your body is more inclined to activate certain genes or other factors that lead to joint inflammation and swelling.
Some kinds of arthritis are caused by an autoimmune response. That is, your body produces antibodies against itself. It assaults foreign tissue that it confuses with its own, such as a virus or bacteria. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. The immune system especially targets the lining of your joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis. It can cause inflammation in regions other than your joints, including as your skin, eyes, lungs, and heart.
Fibromyalgia is characterised by widespread pain. Any form of discomfort, actually, but with no visible signs of injury or swelling/inflammation. Fibromyalgia patients frequently experience “trigger points.” Where people experience excruciating searing or shooting pains in their muscles and delicate tissues. There is no swelling or redness, however.
Arthritis might be very mild and barely visible, whereas Fibromyalgia can be highly severe, with symptoms that can be difficult to manage at times.
However, some people have both, while others have only one or neither. It is dependent on the individual.
Arthritis symptoms include…
Multiple joint pain
Joint stiffness following rest or inactivity
Joint swollenness
Heat a joint before, during, and after activity (warm bath, heating pad)
Before/during action, there is redness around a joint.
Other symptoms that may appear with either arthritis or fibromyalgia but are not experienced by everyone include:
Fatigue, fevers, nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, discomfort in the belly, chest, or spine, or headaches are all possible symptoms.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms Include…
Headaches (some arthritis patients also suffer from migraines)
Deep throbbing pain all over the body, not just in one location, such as the joints.
It feels like a continual burning feeling that can be really painful at times.
However, many folks endure shooting pains.
Rest after exertion, stress, and weather changes/storms aggravate the pain.
People frequently have muscle spasms that resemble Charlie horse’s muscle twitches, in which they clench up without control.
This is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism as well, however many Fibromites experience it on occasion whether they have hyperthyroidism or not.
Waking up with pain and stiffness is very prevalent in persons with Fibromyalgia, sometimes so awful that they can’t move unless they do some form of movement (such as walking).
Many folks also experience tremendous weariness, to the point of feeling like zombies all day. It frequently grows worse as the day progresses.
They may find it much simpler to accomplish duties in the morning before they get going, however later in the afternoon or evening it is much more difficult for them to do anything at all. Some people also have difficulty sleeping through the night; sleeplessness is a major issue for many Fibromites.
Other Conditions That Distinguish Fibromyalgia from Arthritis
Fibromyalgia patients are more likely than arthritis sufferers to develop irritable bowel syndrome and frequently experience constipation. Many people report having a ‘pins and needles’ sensation all over their body, particularly in their hands and feet.
Others suffer from chronic brain fog or have difficulty recalling events that occurred as recently as three days ago.
People with Fibromyalgia frequently take a long time to comprehend text; it feels like they’re taking forever to read it even if it doesn’t take them any longer to view it than anyone else. The challenge is coming up with words – mentally moving from one word to another.
Fibro can cause you to say “uhhhh” instead of searching for the proper word, much as when you rack your brain trying to remember something that’s on the tip of your tongue but your mind just can’t grasp it.
Final Thoughts
There is no other method to diagnose fibromyalgia than to rule out other probable causes of comparable symptoms, which is done by rigorous exams/lab tests, etc. The CDC believes that 1 in every 300 persons has Fibromyalgia, however some statistics suggest that it affects up to 3% of the population. That’s almost 10 million population alone who are dealing with everyday pain, exhaustion, insomnia, brain fog, and inflammation despite the fact that nothing appears to be wrong with them…
 of one or more of your body's joints. This results in stiffness, discomfort, redness, heat, and edoema around the affected joint(s). There are numerous varieties of arthritis, each with its own set of causes.){kind=link}