| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million people in the United States |
|
|
and millions of people worldwide have been diagnosed with |
|
|
fibromyalgia, a disease for which there is no cure and the causes of |
|
|
which are not fully understood; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized |
|
|
by widespread pain in muscles, ligaments, and tendons, as well as |
|
|
fatigue and multiple tender points; although diagnoses of |
|
|
fibromyalgia are becoming increasingly common, it can take multiple |
|
|
consultations and as long as five years to receive a diagnosis |
|
|
because medical professionals are often inadequately educated on |
|
|
the disease; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Manifested through myriad symptoms that can come and |
|
|
go unpredictably and vary in severity, fibromyalgia is |
|
|
life-altering; people with fibromyalgia are never completely |
|
|
symptom free, compromising their ability to work and to engage in |
|
|
numerous activities, and this takes a toll emotionally, |
|
|
financially, and socially on those who suffer from the disease, as |
|
|
well as on their family and friends; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Receiving an accurate diagnosis and information is |
|
|
the first step toward better managing the disease, and to this end, |
|
|
the National Fibromyalgia Association, Austin Fibro Friends, and |
|
|
other groups around the country are joining together to promote |
|
|
enhanced education, diagnosis, research, and treatment; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Increasing public understanding of fibromyalgia is |
|
|
essential to helping lessen the human and financial cost of this |
|
|
disease, and participating in Fibromyalgia Awareness Month is one |
|
|
way to support this effort; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby recognize May 2011 as Fibromyalgia Awareness |
|
|
Month and encourage all Texans to learn more about this chronic pain |
|
|
disorder. |