What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes extensive musculoskeletal pain, as well as fatigue, sleep, cognitive, and mood problems. It increases pain sensations by altering how the brain and spinal cord interpret painful and non-painful signals.
Symptoms usually appear after a traumatic event, such as surgery, infection, or considerable psychological stress. In some situations, symptoms develop over time without a single inciting incident.
Women are more prone than males to get fibromyalgia. Tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and depression are common in patients.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The following are the most common fibromyalgia symptoms:
There is a lot of discomfort
Fibromyalgia pain is frequently described as a persistent dull aching that has lasted for at least three months. The discomfort must be felt on both sides of your body, as well as above and below your waist, to be termed widespread.
Fatigue
Even if they sleep for long periods of time, people with fibromyalgia typically wake up weary. Sleep is frequently disrupted by pain, and many fibromyalgia patients also suffer from other sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea.
Problems with cognition
Fibro fog is a symptom that inhibits one's ability to focus, pay attention, and concentrate on mental work.
Fibromyalgia is frequently associated with other illnesses, such as:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
- Migraines and various types of headaches
- Interstitial cystitis, often known as painful bladder syndrome, is a condition in which the bladder is inflamed
- Disorders of the temporomandibular joint
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Syndrome of postural tachycardia
When to see a doctor?
This condition should not be ignored because it gives a lot of pain. Immediately see a doctor if you experience a musculoskeletal pain, as well as fatigue, sleep, cognitive, and mood problems.
Get the best treatment for Fibromyalgia at Medicover Hospitals from the best doctors and specialists.
Causes and risks
Fibromyalgia symptoms become apparent when the response of brain and spinal cords change due to frequent nerve stimulation. This shift is caused by an abnormal rise in the amounts of pain-signalling molecules in the brain. Furthermore, pain receptors in the brain appear to establish a kind of memory of the pain and become sensitized, meaning they might overreact to both painful and nonpainful signals. Many factors are thought to have contributed to these developments such as:
Genetics
Because fibromyalgia is an illness that runs in families, some genetic alterations may make you more prone to acquiring it.
Infections
Fibromyalgia appears to be triggered or worsened by certain disorders.
Physical or psychological tragedies
A physical event, such as a vehicle accident, can sometimes trigger fibromyalgia. Long-term psychological stress may also be a factor in the development of the illness.
Complications
Fibromyalgia causes pain, exhaustion, and poor sleep quality, which can make it difficult to work and perform at home or at work. Dealing with the frustrations of an often misunderstood ailment can lead to despair and health-related anxiety.
How is Fibromyalgia diagnosed?
Diagnosis
Doctors examine 18 distinct places on a patient's body to evaluate how many of them hurt when pushed hard. Apart from this physical examination, a widespread discomfort throughout the body that persists for at least three months confirms a fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Fibromyalgia patients must confirm experiencing pain in at least four of these five locations in the body.
- Shoulder, arm, or jaw in the left upper region
- Shoulder, arm, or jaw in the right upper region
- Hip, buttock, or leg in the left lower area
- Hip, buttock, or leg in the right lower area
- The axial area includes the neck, back, chest, and abdomen
Tests - The doctor may order additional tests to rule out other illnesses with similar symptoms. The following blood tests may be performed:
- A full blood count
- Sedimentation rate of erythrocytes
- Test for cyclic citrullinated peptides
- Rheumatoid factor is a protein that causes rheumatoid arthritis
- Tests for thyroid function
- Anti-nuclear antibody is a type of antibody that attacks the nucleus
- Celiac disease serology
- Vitamin D is an important nutrient.
Treatment
Fibromyalgia is treated with a combination of medication and self-care measures. The focus is on reducing symptoms while also increasing overall health. Although no single treatment is effective for all symptoms, experimenting with a number of therapeutic options can have a cumulative effect.
Medications
Medications can aid with fibromyalgia pain relief and sleep improvement. Among the most popular options are:
Pain relievers
Pain relievers are recommended such as cetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium these all are examples of over-the-counter pain medicines.
Antidepressants
Milnacipran and duloxetine may help with the pain and exhaustion associated with fibromyalgia. To aid sleep, your doctor may prescribe amitriptyline or the muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine.
Anti-seizure medications
Epilepsy medications are frequently effective in lowering certain forms of pain.
Therapies
There are a range of therapies that can help you manage the effects of fibromyalgia on your body and your life. Here are several examples:
Physical therapy
It is a type of treatment that involves the use of exercises that enhance strength, flexibility, and stamina can be taught by a physical therapist. Water-based exercises could be especially beneficial.
Occupational therapy
It is a term used to describe a type of treatment a therapist can assist you in making changes to your work environment or the way you do specific duties to reduce stress on your body.
Counselling
Speaking with a counsellor can help you build confidence in your talents and give you coping strategies for stressful situations
Lifestyle changes and self-care
Following are lifestyle changes and self care tips:
Stress management
Manage your stress, never take over stress. Relax your mind whenever you feel overstressed. Try some stress managing activities such as breathing, yoga meditation etc.
Take proper sleep
Maintain your sleep schedule it will help to decrease fatigue. Take proper rest and sleep at least 8 to 9 hours.
Exercise regularly
Do regular exercise, it will help you to stay active and fresh throughout the day.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Adopt all healthy habits such as eating healthy food taking a properly balanced diet, etc
Dos and Don’ts
Fibromyalgia is a condition that required treatment as well as managenent of the symptoms. Your role and approach towards your condition plays a major role in your speedy recovery.
FibromyalgiaTo prevent Fibromyalgia one has to follow certain sets of do’s and don’ts. Follow these tips:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Take proper rest and sleep | Don't focus on the disease too much |
| Do regular exercise and yoga | Don't take too much of stress and pressure |
| Do eat a healthy diet | Don't compare yourself to others |
| Do maintain a healthy lifestyle | Don't think negative about your condition |
| Take your medications on time | Don't stop taking the full course of medication |
Fibromyalgia Care at Medicover Hospitals
At Medicover Hospitals, we have the most trusted team of doctors and medical experts who are experienced in providing excellent healthcare services to the patients. Our dedicated team of experts, trained nurses and other paramedical staff offer the best care to a patient. We make use of advanced medical technology and state-of-the-art facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of Fibromyalgia. We have an experinced team of doctors, Rheumatologists, and neurologists who diagnose and treat this condition with utmost precision that brings successful treatment outcomes.
