Fibromyalgia

Overview

Fibromyalgia refers to the pain of the muscles and connective tissues, such as tendons and ligaments, and it's usually chronic and widespread and even a gentle touch causes pain. This chronic condition causes pains along with fatigue and unexplained points of tenderness throughout the body. It is a controversial disorder, historically known as a musculoskeletal disease, but the recent research evidences have proved the defectiveness of the central nervous system affecting brain regions that are responsible for the symptomatic disorder.

Types

There are different types of fibromyalgia. Some claim that one type of fibromyalgia is responsible for all of the symptoms in patients. Others claim there are three distinct types:

• Primary Fibromyalgia: The main form of the condition, which is claimed to be the only form.
• Concomitant Fibromyalgia: This type is believed to accompany unrelated illnesses, like osteoarthritis.
• Secondary Fibromyalgia: This is also known as reactive fibromyalgia or post-traumatic fibromyalgia, triggered by certain illnesses or injuries.

Symptoms

The variety of possible symptoms makes this condition hard to diagnose and treat. Widespread pain is the most common symptom in all the forms. This pain can move from one place to another throughout the body, accompanied by stiffness. Facial pain and headaches can be the symptoms of some forms of fibromyalgia. Tiredness and trouble sleeping are present in many conditions, a hallmark of fibromyalgia. IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, which causes pain, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea, is common among fibromyalgia sufferers. Heightened sensitivity to things like touch, sound and smell is also possible.

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

Causes/Risk Factors

It is still debatable that what causes fibromyalgia, but doctors suspect that abnormalities in the nervous system that make a person more sensitive to pain may be responsible for the condition. Another theory is that the sleep disturbances that cause fatigue may be responsible, rather than merely a symptom of the condition.

Women and people with rheumatic diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to suffer from fibromyalgia. If anyone in your family has suffered from the condition, you are at a greater risk to inherit the same. People having difficulty in sleeping are equally susceptible to the condition. The disease usually occurs in early adulthood to middle age.

Tests/Diagnosis

There is no test for fibromyalgia. Blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and other tests the doctor deems necessary are used to rule out things like lupus, multiple sclerosis and other diseases before a diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be made.

The benchmark is that once other diseases are ruled out, you must have had widespread pain for over three months and at least 11 specific points on the body, tender to the touch to confirm fibromyalgia.

Treatment

Treatment usually includes pain medication and/or muscle relaxants, sleep aids, treatment for depression and medication to help with any other symptoms, as well as counseling to help in coping with the disease.