What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is most known for causing muscle pain and fatigue in its patients.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms.
People with Fibromyalgia have “pressure points” or “tender points” on the body. Pressure points or tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs. These pressure points or tender points hurt when pressure is put on them. People with Fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms, such as:
- Trouble achieving adequate sleep
- Morning stiffness
- Headaches
- Painful menstrual periods
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
- Problems in cognitive skills and memory (also known as the “fibro fog”).
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
At this time the causes of Fibromyalgia are unknown. Researchers believe there to be a number of factors involved. Some of the factors or causes Fibromyalgia have been linked to are:
- Stressful or traumatic events. (Car accidents)
- Repetitive injuries.
- Ongoing Illnesses.
- Certain other diseases.
Fibromyalgia can also occur on its own. Researchers are examining the role that a gene or genes may be involved in Fibromyalgia. Research is underway to determine if such genes could make a person react strongly to things that most people would not find painful.
Who is affected by Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia affects as many as 1 in 50 Americans. Most individuals living with Fibromyalgia are women. However, men and children also can have the disorder. Most people who are diagnosed are adults in their middle age.
People with certain other diseases may be more likely to have Fibromyalgia. These diseases include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly known as lupus)
- Ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis).
Women who have a family member with Fibromyalgia may be more likely to have Fibromyalgia themselves.
Fibromyalgia Treatment - How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Fibromyalgia can be hard to treat. It’s crucial to find a doctor who is familiar with the disorder and its treatment. Many family physicians, general internists, or rheumatologists can treat Fibromyalgia. Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in arthritis and other conditions that affect the joints or soft tissues.
Fibromyalgia treatment often requires a team approach tailored to the individual patient’s needs. The team may include your doctor, a physical therapist, and even other health care providers. A pain or rheumatology clinic can be a good place to get treatment.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved any medicines to treat Fibromyalgia. Doctors treat Fibromyalgia with medicines approved for other purposes. Pain medicines and antidepressants are often used in treatment.
What can I do to try to better my daily life?
There are many actions and steps you can employ to feel better, some are:
- Taking medication as it is prescribed.
- Receiving an adequate nightly rest.
- Personal maintenance and exercise.
- Eating nutritional and well-balanced meals.
- Making changes in work schedules to maximize a balance in productivity and rest.
Fibromyalgia Research - What Research Is Being Done on Fibromyalgia?
Research is being conducted by a wide range of organizations in an effort to better understand Fibromyalgia and find better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent it.
Researchers are targeting such things as:
- Why people with Fibromyalgia have increased sensitivity to pain.
- The role of stress hormones in the body.
- Medicines and behavioral treatments.
- The role of genes and efforts in identifying if a particular gene or genes will make a person more susceptible to having Fibromyalgia.
In conclusion there is a great deal of effort, research, and clinical trials are being conducted to combat and treat Fibromyalgia.
