Fibromyalgia : Understanding the invisible illness

January 21, 2025
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Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome that can give rise to fatigue, cognitive impairment, and extensive bodily discomfort. A person can manage their symptoms using a range of treatments.
Fibromyalgia patients frequently experience increased discomfort. Others describe their experience as a chronic muscle soreness.Since fibromyalgia is not a progressive illness, it won’t get worse over time.
Although it might intensify a person’s sensation of joint or muscular pain, fibromyalgia does not result in inflammation or damage to the joints or muscles.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness. It results in symptoms like:

  • Tenderness
  • General fatigue
  • Pain in the muscles and bones
  • Seep and cognitive disturbances

Fibromyalgia Facts: A Quick Overview

Fibromyalgia has no single recognized cause. The disease may be caused by genetics, severe emotional physical events, and sleep and mood disorders. The majority of people with fibromyalgia are female. Doctors may request laboratory testing and X-rays to rule out illnesses that resemble fibromyalgia, even though there is no test for the disorder.

Causes

  • Genetic
  • Repetitive injuries
  • CNS problems
  • Traumatic physical or emotional event
  • Stress
  • Low immune power
  • Sleep problems
  • Biochemical problems
  • Infections
  • Disease that cause pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis

Risk factors

  • Genetic
  • Age : You’re ,most likely to be diagnosed in middle age and your risk increase as you get older.
  • Sex: Most fibromyalgia cases arecurrently diagnosed in females bur the reason for this disparity is not clear.
  • Stress
  • A history of other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
  • Repetitive injuries
  • Infection
  • Trauma
  • Obesity
  • Illness or injury
  • Sleep disorder

Symptoms

Common fibromyalgia symptoms include:

  • Headache
  • Joint and muscle stiffness after sleeping
  • Irregular sleep patterns
  • Pain ( widespread pain )
  • Restlesss legs syndrome
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Numbness inthe hands and feet
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulties with memory and concentration

The following may also occur :

  • Dizziness
  • Rapid wight gain
  • Urinary issue
  • Nausea
  • Skin problems
  • Anxiety
  • Breathing problems

Diagnosis

  • Medical history
  • Symptoms severity
  • Physical examination

There are no specific blood or imaging tests to diagnose fibromyalgia but a doctor may order tests to rule out other conditions.

such as :

  • Blood calcium level test
  • Thyroid hormone tests
  • C-reactive protein (CPR)
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Treatment

  • Physical therapy
  • Get enough sleep
  • Pain relivers
  • Stress reduction techniques
  • Psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Massage
  • Drugs such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers
  • A low impact exercise program

Complications of fibromyalgia

  • Painful menstruation
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Lack of sleep
  • Anxiety
  • Tenderness
  • Muscles stiffnes
  • Depression

Preventions

  • Reduce stress
  • Relaxation
  • acupuncture
  • meditation
  • Deep breathing techniques
  • Get enough sleep
  • Exercise regularly
  • Avoid caffeine,junk food
  • Maintain healthy diet
  • Maintain body weight
  • Monitor your symptoms