May 12th is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day #FibromyalgiaAwarenessDay. I would like to ask you to check on anyone you know who has Fibro because they may be feeling fine one moment and like a truck run over the next moment.
Before you ask know I would know it’s because my best friend Debbie has #Fibromyalia. I’ve seen her struggle to feel good and get things done but there is times she cant. If your like me life gets busy and we may forget to check on our friends but we need to take a step back and think about how we would feel if we had #Fibro and no, one was around to even talk to.
Help me get the word out about Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12 and remind everyone this isn’t a Disease that happens on day of the year. Fibromyalgia, has plagued many people over the Centuries and it isn’t going to stop anytime soon.
Fibromyalgia is a Musculoskeletal disorder that causes chronic pain all over the body. Other symptoms also include fatigue, anxiety, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, skin sensitivity, insomnia, numbness, stiffness, etc. That’s a whole lot to deal with isn’t it?
Did you know people suffering from Fibromyalgia either go undiagnosed for years or are misdiagnosed. Due to a lack of research and the difficulty in identifying the factors that cause the illness, many also believe that the disease is psychological and not real. Moreover, there is no permanent cure to relieve the sufferer. Which is the saddest part of Fibro.
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day was initially commemorated in 1992 in honor of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, a British social reformer and the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale is lauded for her services during the Crimean War when she served as a trainer and manager for Nurses in Constantinople.
Years after her death, scholars, who studied Florence Nightingale extensively, claimed that she may have suffered from Fibromyalgia. The National Fibromyalgia Association, founded by Lynne Matallana, officially established Fibromyalgia Awareness Day in 1998. Matallana has suffered from the illness for almost 30 years herself, therefore, her aim behind the organization was to bring awareness to the disease and help people cope with it.
Fibromyalgia is said to affect many people around the world, regardless of age, sex, or other preexisting conditions. However, according to some reports, women are seven times more likely to suffer from the diseases than men.
Symptoms include heightened hot/cold sensitivity, headaches, joint ache, depression, memory and concentration problems, etc. These symptoms can last from a few minutes to hours, days, months, or even years.
However, some sufferers may not experience any symptoms at all. While there is no permanent cure for Fibromyalgia yet, people can still relieve their pain by getting the right form of medication, therapy, and making changes to their daily lifestyles.
How To Observe Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
- Learn more about Fibromyalgia by researching it. Look up its symptoms, potential causes, etc. By learning more about Fibromyalgia, you will be better able to help those who suffer from it.
- If you have the time and the means volunteer at organizations dedicated to Fibromyalgia sufferers. Support these people in their daily lives and treat them as you would any other person.
- Research studies show that Fibromyalgia takes a major mental toll on patients, making them more likely to suffer from mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.
- \You can take part in local events that bring Fibromyalgia to light. If no such event is happening in your area, organize one yourself and get conversations going about Fibromyalgia.
Facts About Florence Nightingale
- Did you know Florence Nightingale’s parents named each of their children after the Cities they were born in. Florence Nightingale was named after Florence in Italy where she was born.
- Nightingale possessed the natural talent of classifying and documenting things from a young age and this led to her becoming a successful statistician.
- Florence Nightingale’s keen scientific observations and knowledge led to not only better healthcare services provided by Nurses but also to lower death rates overall.
- Queen Victoria honored Nightingale with the Royal Red Cross and she was one of the first people to ever be awarded this medal.
- Florence Nightingale was nicknamed the ‘Lady with the Lamp’ because she would often go out at night on rounds to check up on patients in hospital wards.
Why People Love Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
There will definitely be bad days but one can push through them because there will also always be good days. Hope provides the boost of energy that everyone needs on exhausting days. Fibromyalgia Awareness Day brings hope for better times.
The 21st Century has seen numerous medical advancements that have led to better and healthier lifestyles. These advancements have also led to lower death rates. Fibromyalgia and the factors around it still need quite a lot of research but significant leaps are being made in the diagnostic areas.
In general, Science has proved that patients tend to recover at a faster rate if they have support around them. Being there for Fibromyalgia patients can help them feel better, at least in the short term.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
