Fibromyalgia is an immobilizing, difficult to manage, and not widely known disease which affects many men and women worldwide. Because of this, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day helps to further inform people who may not yet understand the extent of what it does and can do to those who experience it.
It’s a disease that is about seven times as likely to affect women than men, and although it usually is seen in people between the ages of 30 and 50, it can appear in sufferers of any age, whether elderly or child. This, in particular, captures the attention of a wide range of people, and it gives the reality that it can, indeed, affect anyone at any time.
Fibromyalgia is a difficult disease to diagnose – there isn’t a specific set of testing which can find and diagnose it, and the symptoms that sufferers experience are often attributed to other diseases before Fibromyalgia is accurately identified.
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is all about raising awareness for this disease and supporting further research into eventually finding a cure. Those who already suffer from the disease are undisputed fighters, and the more people who understand what Fibromyalgia can and will do, the better chance we have of discovering a way to make their lives better.
History of Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
Awareness and funding are the keys to battling the enigma that is Fibromyalgia, and this day was created for just that.
Each year, observers of this day get together and take part in fundraising events, charity runs, tea parties – anything to get the conversation going. Typically, these events are run because someone has a relative or friend who suffers from this disease. But you do not need to know someone personally affected by Fibromyalgia to make a difference.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia may include heightening skin sensitivity – especially to pain, muscle stiffness, some difficulties sleeping, problems with memory and concentration, extreme tiredness, and headaches.
These symptoms are not uncommon in other diseases – and some sufferers don’t even experience all these symptoms – so it’s easy to see what makes Fibromyalgia so tricky to diagnose. If we knew more about Fibromyalgia, could you imagine how much we could improve the lives of those who it affects? It would help recognize patterns better and even catch it earlier, leading to improved treatment.
There is no cure for Fibromyalgia, so at the moment, the only option for sufferers is to have several treatments. For example, medication such as painkillers and antidepressants are often prescribed.
Sufferers may also find that lifestyle changes may help, and there’s plenty of support groups available via healthcare services keen to offer support. Furthermore, while support groups are not always suitable for everybody, doctors will advise personal treatment plans, such as diaries and similar support options, to help people cope with such changes in their lifestyle.
How to celebrate Fibromyalgia Day
One thing to do first before observing this day is to read up on Fibromyalgia itself. This will, at the very least, give you a decent introduction to everything we currently know about the disease. You are not expected to know everything and don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz at the end to check you understand it completely. Merely showing that you care enough to educate yourself will put you in good stead for joining the fight for spreading awareness.
Even with this, as it does not have a cure, there’s plenty about this disease that we don’t know about – but equally, plenty that we do.
If you are unsure about anything at all regarding what to expect or look for with Fibromyalgia, don’t be afraid to ask the internet or even someone close to you with more experience. In the battle against it, knowing how to spot Fibromyalgia is the first step in beating it, and to do this, consistent, careful, and considered research is essential for both sufferers and non-sufferers.
The more you learn, the more confident you can be in helping others learn, sharing awareness, and dedicating your time to fighting Fibromyalgia. With this, you can consider donations to charity, and be able to be part of the fight to find more answers. There’s also the option to join charitable teams and be on the other side, taking donations from the generous public. By learning enough about Fibromyalgia, you can provide concise but informative answers to draw people to the cause.
If you wish to contribute to the charities which raise money and awareness for battling the disease, why not join in with a local charity event – or even start up your own. Simply search online for local charities in your area, and if you can’t find one close enough to be convenient, you know what you can do next!
Charity sports events, bake sales, community gatherings – there’s plenty you can do to support the cause and get the word out there. When it comes to charitable support and spreading awareness about anything, there is no such thing as too small of a contribution.
Whether it’s a couple of pennies earned from buying a cake or thousands earned from climbing mountains, running marathons, anything that can capture the attention of the public and draw more eyes to the impact of Fibromyalgia, is sure to help.
If you know someone who copes with Fibromyalgia, or you simply want to contribute to helping improve the lives of those with it, make sure to take part in Fibromyalgia Day this year, next year, and beyond.
