Have you EVER wondered why our muscles and joints ache? Why do we feel fatigued almost every day? This could be Fibromyalgia!
Fibromyalgia is a long-term (chronic) health condition that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body. It causes musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Experts don't know the exact cause of Fibromyalgia, but studies have found that stress, excessive work pressure, anxiety, depression and other health conditions might trigger it. One is more likely to develop this condition if one of the biological parents has it. People with Fibromyalgia often experience its symptoms in flares, i.e. the pain that comes and goes in periods, making the day-to-day activities more challenging and exhausting.
Who is more likely to get affected by Fibromyalgia?
Anyone can get affected by Fibromyalgia. It affects people of all ages, including children. Although females and people above age 40 are more likely to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
Symptoms and causes
1. Muscle pain or tenderness
2. Fatigue
3. Face and jaw pain
4. Headaches and migraines
5. Digestive problems, including diarrhea and constipation
6. Bladder control issue
7. Memories problems
8. Anxiety
9. Depression
10. Insomnia
Risk factors
Even though experts can't say for sure what causes Fibromyalgia, some of the health conditions and other issues can be the risk factors for developing it. Risk factors include:
1. Age: People older than 40 are more likely to develop Fibromyalgia. But it can affect anyone, including children.
2. Gender: Assigned females at birth are twice as likely to experience Fibromyalgia.
3. Chronic illnesses: People with conditions like osteoarthritis, depression, anxiety disorders, chronic back pain, and irritable bowel syndrome are more likely to develop Fibromyalgia.
4. Infections: Some people develop Fibromyalgia after infection, especially if they experience severe symptoms.
5. Stress: The amount of stress a person experiences can't be measured on a test, but too much stress can affect an individual's health.
6. Trauma: People who've experienced physical or emotional trauma or a severe injury can sometimes develop Fibromyalgia.
Triggers
Certain events or changes in our life can trigger a Fibromyalgia flare-up. Everyone is different, and the factors that can trigger symptoms in some people might not be for you. In general, anything can increase stress or can trigger a flare-up, including:
1. Financial instability or emotional stress
2. Changes in daily routine
3. Dietary deficiencies
4. Hormonal changes
5. Lack of sleep
6. Weather or temperature changes
7. Infections
8. Medications
Diagnosis
A healthcare provider will diagnose Fibromyalgia with a physical exam and our health history. They'll ask about the symptoms and when a person noticed them for the first time. It is typically diagnosed through a differential diagnosis, a process of medical elimination.
Healthcare providers will make a diagnosis by comparing several conditions with related symptoms. This process leads to the final diagnosis. They might use blood tests to rule out other common causes of fatigue, such as anemia or thyroid gland issues.
Treatment
There isn't a single treatment that works for every person with Fibromyalgia. Healthcare providers will work with the patient to find a combination of treatments that relieve the symptoms. It would help to tell the healthcare provider which symptoms you're experiencing and when they change (including when they're improving or worsening). The patient may require-
1. Over-The-Counter (OTC) or prescription medicine to relieve pain
2. Exercises like stretches or strength training
3. Sleep therapy
4. Cognitive behavioral therapy
5. Stress management therapy
6. Antidepressants
4 stages of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a dynamic condition. This means a person won't experience symptoms in any specific order — there's no roadmap to know when or how fibromyalgia symptoms will affect you. Healthcare providers might treat Fibromyalgia in stages based on how a person feels. These stages aren't step-by-step. Every person is different, and how Fibromyalgia affects our body will be unique. The stages can help the Healthcare Provider understand which treatment a patient might need to manage the symptoms. The four stages of treating Fibromyalgia include:
1. Non-pharmacological treatments: Healthcare providers or Physiotherapists will give stretches and exercises to loosen, relax and strengthen the muscles and joints.
2. Psychological treatments: A mental health professional will help one identify how to maintain a healthy self-image. They'll suggest strategies to manage symptoms that affect an individual's mental and emotional health.
3. Pharmacological treatment: Taking medicine to manage the symptoms.
4. Daily functioning: An occupational therapist can help to navigate our daily routine If a person is experiencing severe symptoms that make it hard to
participate in daily life activities.
Prevention
Because experts don't know what causes Fibromyalgia, we can't prevent it. Maintaining overall health can help to reduce the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms by:
1. Manage stress
2. Follow a diet and exercise plan that's healthy for you
3. Get enough sleep and practice good sleep hygiene
So, in conclusion, Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition marked by widespread pain, fatigue, and other symptoms that affect daily life. While its exact cause is unknown, factors like genetics, stress, trauma, and infections may increase the risk. Symptoms can flare up with anxiety, lack of sleep, or lifestyle changes. Diagnosing Fibromyalgia involves ruling out other conditions, as there's no definitive test. Treatment combines medication, exercise, mental health support, and lifestyle adjustments to manage symptoms. Though Fibromyalgia isn't preventable, managing stress, sleep, and a balanced lifestyle can help reduce its impact.
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