Fibromyalgia

Overview

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain and fatigue across various body parts. Symptoms including headaches, digestive issues, and sleep problems accompany the disease. While the exact cause is unknown, factors such as genetics, infections, and stress may trigger it.

The condition cannot be cured permanently. However, treatment plans, including physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes, help relieve symptoms. Regular exercise, stress management, and a healthy diet can also ease the condition and improve quality of life.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic health disorder causing widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Affected individuals notice symptoms that become severe over periods, also called flare-ups. Medical experts have not been able to rule out the causes of the disease, however, studies suggest that stress, certain health conditions and lifestyle changes can trigger its development. With proper lifestyle adjustments and certain therapies, one can manage the symptoms.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia causes pain and fatigue in the body. One may experience other symptoms including headaches and migraine, face and jaw pain, bladder control difficulty and digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhoea. It can also cause emotional and mental symptoms, including depression, insomnia, anxiety and other sleeping disorders. It may also co-exist with other symptoms including chronic fatigue syndrome, postural tachycardia syndrome, temporomandibular joint disorders, irritable bowel syndrome and painful bladder syndrome.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

Medical experts cannot conclude the exact causes of fibromyalgia. However, they believe that consistent nerve stimulation changes the spinal cord and brain of affected people. This leads to a dysfunctional increase in certain chemical levels in the brain, causing pain. Consequently, the brain's receptors develop a memory of the pain, becoming sensitised.

The changes in the brain and spinal cord can also be caused by factors such as genetics, age, infections, physical events such as accidents, and prolonged psychological stress. Chronic illnesses such as depression, anxiety, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, irritable bowel syndromes, and chronic back pain increase the risk of developing fibromyalgia. Hormonal changes or changes in diet can also trigger it.

Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia

There are no imaging tests that can help detect the disease. However, a doctor may confirm the development of fibromyalgia if they have experienced pain for more than 3 months in some of the tender points including the back of the head, hips, knees, upper chest and outer elbows. They may conduct a physical exam and discuss one's health history, asking about symptoms they experienced.

They may also make a diagnosis by comparing different conditions with similar symptoms, this process is also called differential diagnosis. Blood tests can help rule out other common causes of fatigue, such as thyroid gland issues or anaemia.

Treatment for Fibromyalgia

A healthcare provider may recommend a combination of treatment plans, helping to relieve the symptoms. This may include stretching, strength training, sleep therapy, antidepressants, antiseizure drugs, stress management theory, cognitive behavioural therapy and over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain relievers.

A medical professional may treat fibromyalgia in various ways, which include the following:

• Non-Pharmacological Treatments: Here, a medical professional recommends physical therapy to the patient, asking them to stretch and exercise to loosen, strengthen and relax their joints and muscles.
• Psychological Treatments: A mental health expert helps one to manage symptoms that affect emotional and mental health by helping them identify ways to maintain a healthy image of self.
• Pharmacological Treatments: Doctors may prescribe various medicines help to manage pain-related symptoms.
• Daily Functioning: Navigating daily tasks becomes easier for patients as an occupational therapist helps in the process.

Prevention of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia cannot be prevented as the causes of the disease are unknown. However, maintaining overall health can help manage the severity of the symptoms. People should make sure to manage stress, follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep.

Myths and Facts Related to Fibromyalgia

Here are some of the myths and facts about fibromyalgia:

Myth 1: Fibromyalgia is not real
Fact: Fibromyalgia is a real chronic disorder recognised by major health organisations, including WHO, causing widespread pain across the entire body. It causes other symptoms such as cognitive difficulties and fatigue, linked to how the brain processes pain signals.

Myth 2: Fibromyalgia affects only the older people
Fact: The disease can occur at any age, including in children and young adults, causing fatigue and pain. However, fibromyalgia is most commonly diagnosed in individuals above the age of 40.

Myth 3: There's nothing one can do to treat fibromyalgia
Fact: While the disease cannot be cured, effective treatment plans can help manage the symptoms. This includes physical therapy, exercise, stress management and cognitive behavioural therapy.