Fibromyalgia

What Is It?

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The disorder is chronic, widespread, and can trigger extreme discomfort: even a gentle touch can cause a fibromyalgia patient to experience severe pain.

In the medical community, there is substantial controversy surrounding the disease. Historically, fibromyalgia has been classified as a musculoskeletal disease, but recent research points to potential causes within the central nervous system. Although the precise cause remains unknown, it is believed that the brain is responsible for this disorder.

Exhaustion, stiffness, insomnia, headaches, numbness, depression, and anxiety are all associated with fibromyalgia. The condition can be present alone or in conjunction with another musculoskeletal condition such as arthritis.

For the majority of patients, fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose. Many people feel pain and exhaustion for years before they receive a conclusive diagnosis. A doctor might conduct numerous tests and still be unable to identify the cause of a patient's pain. If this sounds like your situation, then you might have fibromyalgia, and you should talk to a doctor for more information.

There is extensive debate surrounding fibromyalgia in the medical community. Some professionals believe that fibromyalgia is not a conclusive diagnosis because a patient will not necessarily show physical abnormalities. Those who believe that fibromyalgia is not a condition argue that there is limited distinction between chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic headaches. A medical professional is likely to diagnose a patient with fibromyalgia after exhausting all other medical options.

Others believe that fibromyalgia is a legitimate and unique condition based on patterns that patients demonstrate.

Types

Extensive debate surrounds the types of fibromyalgia. Some experts believe that only one type is responsible for causing symptoms while others believe that there are three distinct types:

• Primary fibromyalgia is the main form of fibromyalgia. Many medical professionals believe that this is the only type.
• Concomitant fibromyalgia is believed to occur in conjunction with accompanying illnesses, such as osteoarthritis.
• Secondary fibromyalgia is also known as reactive fibromyalgia or post-traumatic fibromyalgia, which is triggered by certain illnesses or injuries.

Symptoms & Warning Signs

The variance of possible symptoms makes this condition challenging to diagnose and treat. Widespread pain is the most common symptom. This pain can move from one place to another throughout the body, causing stiffness and persistent soreness.

Facial pain and headaches are symptoms of some forms of fibromyalgia. Many patients also experience fatigue and insomnia. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which causes pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, is common among fibromyalgia patients.

Heightened sensitivity to sensory experiences such as sound and smell is also possible.

A wide range of other symptoms are also often reported, including depression, numbness, tingling in extremities, mood changes, menstrual cramps, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.

Many people experience these symptoms for years and remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with similar conditions. What makes fibromyalgia so difficult to diagnose is that there are no unique or defining physical symptoms. The pain, for the most part, is unexplainable. As a result, fibromyalgia is diagnosed through process of elimination.

Causes & Risk Factors

The causes of fibromyalgia are debated in the medical community. Some professionals believe that the condition is musculoskeletal, and others believe that the condition occurs due to abnormalities in the central nervous system. Another theory is that sleep disturbances are responsible for the pain that causes fatigue. This perspective contradicts the idea that fatigue is a symptom of fibromyalgia.

Women and people with rheumatic diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to suffer from fibromyalgia. The condition also runs in the family, so a genetic link may be present. Most people develop their first symptoms as young or middle-aged adults.

Prevention & Treatment

Doctors will prescribe a combination of pain medications, muscle relaxants, sleep aids, and antidepressants to treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Some patients will also benefit from mental health counseling.

The doctor will encourage you to maintain an active lifestyle through a fitness routine that incorporates basic cardio, flexibility, and strength training.

Tests & Diagnosis

There is no test for fibromyalgia, and medical professionals will usually diagnose the condition through process of elimination when there is no other physical explanation for the symptoms or pain.

Blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are common tests that the doctor will use to check for conditions that produce similar symptoms such as lupus and multiple sclerosis.

After the doctor rules out other conditions, she or he will confirm that you experience widespread pain in at least 11 specific points on the body. If these areas are tender to touch, then you likely have fibromyalgia.