Fibromyalgia Causes, Symptoms And Treatment:

Fibromyalgia is a long-term chronic and common medical condition that causes pain, fatigue and discomfort. It seriously affects the quality of life by decreasing body function and work capacity. It is also associated with neuropsychological symptoms. People confuse fibromyalgia with arthritis but both are different diseases. Arthritis affects joints and fibromyalgia affects soft tissues. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known. Different environmental factors trigger the development of fibromyalgia such as physical trauma, stress, injuries and accidents. It affects 2-8% of the population. It is more common in women as compared to men particularly in post-menopausal women. It affects people of all ages but particularly between the ages of 30–50 years. People with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis are at higher risk for developing fibromyalgia. It is also known as neurasthenia or fibrositis.

Causes

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known. There are multiple factors involved in the development of fibromyalgia such as infection, trauma and stress. These factors can either cause the development of fibromyalgia or worsen its symptoms.

The most common viruses involved in causing fibromyalgia are salmonella, shigella bacteria and the Epstein-Barr virus. Family history also plays an important role in causing fibromyalgia. The risk of fibromyalgia increases if someone in your family has fibromyalgia. Physical or emotional trauma, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), car accident and prolonged psychological stress can also trigger the development of fibromyalgia. People with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or spinal arthritis (Ankylosing spondylitis) or other autoimmune diseases are at higher risk for developing fibromyalgia. 

Symptoms

The clinical presentation may include the signs and symptoms which are listed below,

• Widespread pain (It is the hallmark symptom)
• Fatigue
• Feeling of stiffness in joints and muscles in the morning
• Feeling of numbness or prickling in the hands and feet
• Headaches
• Migraine
• Irregular or disturbed sleep patterns
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Heat or cold sensitivity
• Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
• Heat or cold sensitivity
• Postural tachycardia syndrome
• Extreme pain during menstrual cycle
• Problems with memory and concentration (fibro fog)
• Sharp pain and burning sensations in the chest
• Extreme low back pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Paresthesias
• Exercise intolerance
• Palpitatio ns
• Dysmenorrhea

Treatment

There is no cure for fibromyalgia. The aim of treatment in fibromyalgia is to improve the quality of life by reducing the severity and duration of symptoms. For the treatment of pain, your doctor will prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers. The most commonly used painkillers for mild pain are ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Narcotics are recommended for severe pain such as tramadol. Your doctor can also prescribe antidepressants for the treatment of irregular or disturbed sleep patterns, pain and fatigue. The most commonly used antidepressants are duloxetine and milnacipran HCL. Antiseizure drugs are also proved to be effective in people with fibromyalgia. These drugs include gabapentin and pregabalin. Exercise is the most effective approach used for treating fibromyalgia. The exercises recommended for fibromyalgia are aerobic exercise and resistance training or strength training. Regular exercise will reduce pain, tenderness, stiffness, and disturbed sleep patterns. Your doctor can also recommend acupuncture techniques. It is a therapeutic technique in which fine needles are inserted into certain body points. As a result, a natural substance is produced in your body. These natural substances are responsible for useful effects experienced with acupuncture technique. Acupuncture is used for different kinds of pain. There are certain points or places in your body where the blood flow can be increased. These certain places include muscles, nerve and connective tissue. When the blood flow increases, it stimulates the activity of the body's natural painkillers. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also be used for the treatment of fibromyalgia. It is a psychological treatment that is used for depression and anxiety. It improves the quality of life by improving behaviour.