Fibromyalgia And Stroke: Is There A Link?
Fibromyalgia can and does manifest itself in any number of ways.
Research suggests fibromyalgia patients may have an increased risk of stroke.
There are different types of strokes: Ischemic, Haemorrhagic and TIA. A study was conducted in Japan in 2016 of one million fibromyalgia patients. The results are a bit surprising.
There does seem to be a 25% increase of Ischemic stroke in fibromyalgia patients. Oddly enough the age of these patients came as a bit of a surprise. The younger fibromyalgia patients, or those younger than 35 years old have a higher risk of ischemic stroke.
Stroke can be confused with migraines and vice versa. However if there is a doubt seek medical attention. If it is an actual stroke, quick medical care is absolutely essential to stop and even reverse damage.
Stroke signs and symptoms can include facial changes, weakness on one side, losing the ability to speak, and confusion. Remember to think FAST.
- F is for face. Ask the person to smile. Look for a droop on one or both sides of their face, which is a sign of muscle weakness or paralysis.
- A is for arm. A person having a stroke often has muscle weakness on one side. Ask them to raise their arms. If they have one-sided weakness (and didn’t have it before), one arm will stay higher while the other will sag and drop downward.
- S is for speech. Strokes often cause a person to lose their ability to speak. They might slur their speech or have trouble choosing the right words.
- T is for time. Time is critical, so don’t wait to get help! If possible, look at your watch or a clock and remember when symptoms start. Telling a healthcare provider when symptoms started can help the provider know what treatment options are best for you.
