Widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles. Stiffness in the morning. Constant fatigue and exhaustion. Sleep-related problems. If this sounds familiar, then it may be fibromyalgia. If you want to know more about this condition, then continue reading.
What is fibromyalgia?
The first thing to know about fibromyalgia is that it is not a disease but a syndrome. This means that like other syndromes, fibromyalgia is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that occur together but do not have an identifiable cause.
Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic condition which affects the joints and the soft tissues of the body and causes chronic pain. The symptoms can often get so severe that it can make it difficult for a person to perform his/her regular activities. People with fibromyalgia feel pain in response to even slight pressure on certain points such as neck, shoulders, back, hips, and upper and lower extremities.
However, despite the profound pain, there is no inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other soft tissues. It also does not cause any damage to the internal organs of the body. This is why fibromyalgia is different from other rheumatic conditions such as systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Here are some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia that patients suffering from this condition have to endure:
Pain - Pain is the most debilitating symptom of fibromyalgia. Patients experience a deep aching pain in the muscle. The pain can often be felt as a throbbing, shooting, stabbing, or burning pain. It is usually worse early in the morning. Patients also complain of stiffness in the morning. The pain is widespread and involves both sides of the body. The condition is characterized by multiple tender points which lead to widespread pain in the muscles on the neck, shoulders, arms, back, chest and buttocks. Tender points are present around the elbows, shoulders, knees, hips, back of the head, and the sides of the breastbone.
Fatigue and exhaustion - Another common symptom of fibromyalgia is fatigue. Patients feel totally drained out. The level of fatigue is so high that it interferes in the daily activities of the individual.
Sleep-related problems - People with fibromyalgia also suffer from sleep problems. They are not able to get enough of the deep sleep that is essential for a person to feel refreshed in the morning. The already existing fatigue is, therefore, aggravated with this symptom of fibromylagia.
Dyscognition - Dyscognition or fibro fog is another symptom which can be found in people with fibromyalgia. Fibro fog is a condition characterized by difficulties in remembering things, problems in concentration, inability to stay focused on a task, and disorganized thinking.
Other symptoms - Individuals with fibromyalgia often suffer from conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, severe headaches, and painful menstrual periods. They experience numbness and tingling in the extremities. There is difficulty in sitting still in the evenings (restless leg syndrome). Sleep apnea, teeth grinding, dizziness, and dryness of the eyes and the mouth are also found in these people.
What are the causes of fibromyalgia?
The causes of fibromyalgia are still not known. However, various researches have shown that abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system and abnormal regulation of neurotransmitters is responsible for this syndrome. Simply put, since patients experience pain in response to stimuli that are usually not perceived as painful by normal individuals, it is believed that the brain is somehow excessively sensitive. Elevated or low levels of certain nerve chemicals have also been found in such people.
Although there is still a lot that needs to be researched as far as the causes of fibromyalgia are concerned, it is generally accepted that certain factors are often responsible for the onset of this disease. These factors include physically and emotionally stressful and traumatic events and autoimmune diseases such as lupus. However, in many individuals fibromyalgia may occur without any obvious trigger factor.
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia is usually diagnosed with the help of the symptoms being experienced by an individual. Widespread pain present for more than three months and the presence of tender points are considered important symptoms for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Since there are no proper diagnostic tests for this condition, it is often misdiagnosed. However, a physician might conduct certain blood tests and other diagnostic tests to rule out the possibility of other disorders which can have symptoms similar to fibromyalgia.
How is fibromyalgia treated?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition and patients need to learn to manage this condition. A rheumatologist might prescribe medications for providing relief with the pain and improving sleep. These include antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Benzodiazepines can also be prescribed for providing relief for conditions such as restless leg syndrome.
Massaging and manipulating the muscles and the soft tissues of the body often provides relief in the muscular pain and discomfort. Acupuncture and certain herbal remedies have also been found to provide relief in the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Cognitive behavior therapies can help an individual learn skills to manage the associated pain and improve the quality of sleep.
However, since fibromyalgia is a chronic and painful condition, it is very necessary that the individual introduces certain lifestyle changes. These include scheduling time for relaxation, regular sleeping patterns, exercising regularly, eating healthy, and learning as much as possible about your condition.
If you are experiencing pain on both sides of the body, excessive exhaustion, and difficulties in getting a good night’s sleep, consult a physician. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition. However, regular consultation with a physician or rheumatologist and a good lifestyle can help in reducing the pain, improving the quality of sleep, and keeping the fatigue under control.
What is fibromyalgia?
The first thing to know about fibromyalgia is that it is not a disease but a syndrome. This means that like other syndromes, fibromyalgia is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that occur together but do not have an identifiable cause.
Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic condition which affects the joints and the soft tissues of the body and causes chronic pain. The symptoms can often get so severe that it can make it difficult for a person to perform his/her regular activities. People with fibromyalgia feel pain in response to even slight pressure on certain points such as neck, shoulders, back, hips, and upper and lower extremities.
However, despite the profound pain, there is no inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other soft tissues. It also does not cause any damage to the internal organs of the body. This is why fibromyalgia is different from other rheumatic conditions such as systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Here are some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia that patients suffering from this condition have to endure:
Pain - Pain is the most debilitating symptom of fibromyalgia. Patients experience a deep aching pain in the muscle. The pain can often be felt as a throbbing, shooting, stabbing, or burning pain. It is usually worse early in the morning. Patients also complain of stiffness in the morning. The pain is widespread and involves both sides of the body. The condition is characterized by multiple tender points which lead to widespread pain in the muscles on the neck, shoulders, arms, back, chest and buttocks. Tender points are present around the elbows, shoulders, knees, hips, back of the head, and the sides of the breastbone.
Fatigue and exhaustion - Another common symptom of fibromyalgia is fatigue. Patients feel totally drained out. The level of fatigue is so high that it interferes in the daily activities of the individual.
Sleep-related problems - People with fibromyalgia also suffer from sleep problems. They are not able to get enough of the deep sleep that is essential for a person to feel refreshed in the morning. The already existing fatigue is, therefore, aggravated with this symptom of fibromylagia.
Dyscognition - Dyscognition or fibro fog is another symptom which can be found in people with fibromyalgia. Fibro fog is a condition characterized by difficulties in remembering things, problems in concentration, inability to stay focused on a task, and disorganized thinking.
Other symptoms - Individuals with fibromyalgia often suffer from conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, severe headaches, and painful menstrual periods. They experience numbness and tingling in the extremities. There is difficulty in sitting still in the evenings (restless leg syndrome). Sleep apnea, teeth grinding, dizziness, and dryness of the eyes and the mouth are also found in these people.
What are the causes of fibromyalgia?
The causes of fibromyalgia are still not known. However, various researches have shown that abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system and abnormal regulation of neurotransmitters is responsible for this syndrome. Simply put, since patients experience pain in response to stimuli that are usually not perceived as painful by normal individuals, it is believed that the brain is somehow excessively sensitive. Elevated or low levels of certain nerve chemicals have also been found in such people.
Although there is still a lot that needs to be researched as far as the causes of fibromyalgia are concerned, it is generally accepted that certain factors are often responsible for the onset of this disease. These factors include physically and emotionally stressful and traumatic events and autoimmune diseases such as lupus. However, in many individuals fibromyalgia may occur without any obvious trigger factor.
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia is usually diagnosed with the help of the symptoms being experienced by an individual. Widespread pain present for more than three months and the presence of tender points are considered important symptoms for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Since there are no proper diagnostic tests for this condition, it is often misdiagnosed. However, a physician might conduct certain blood tests and other diagnostic tests to rule out the possibility of other disorders which can have symptoms similar to fibromyalgia.
How is fibromyalgia treated?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition and patients need to learn to manage this condition. A rheumatologist might prescribe medications for providing relief with the pain and improving sleep. These include antidepressants such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Benzodiazepines can also be prescribed for providing relief for conditions such as restless leg syndrome.
Massaging and manipulating the muscles and the soft tissues of the body often provides relief in the muscular pain and discomfort. Acupuncture and certain herbal remedies have also been found to provide relief in the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Cognitive behavior therapies can help an individual learn skills to manage the associated pain and improve the quality of sleep.
However, since fibromyalgia is a chronic and painful condition, it is very necessary that the individual introduces certain lifestyle changes. These include scheduling time for relaxation, regular sleeping patterns, exercising regularly, eating healthy, and learning as much as possible about your condition.
If you are experiencing pain on both sides of the body, excessive exhaustion, and difficulties in getting a good night’s sleep, consult a physician. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition. However, regular consultation with a physician or rheumatologist and a good lifestyle can help in reducing the pain, improving the quality of sleep, and keeping the fatigue under control.
Copyright © Roohi Khan - 2009
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