Fibromyalgia can be described as a condition in which one experiences widespread muscle and joint pain. It leads to a lot of fatigue. Studies indicate that it is the second most common musculoskeletal condition after Osteoarthritis. There is an acute pain in some body parts when pressure is applied to them. The fibromyalgia syndrome is diagnosed when a person experiences many symptoms together such as depression, anxiety, reduced tolerance to pain, pain in many body parts and extreme fatigue which incapacitates them. People are generally very confused as to what causes fibromyalgia.
Women are ten times more likely to get this disease than men. The muscles feel as if they are being pulled. The muscles twitch and result in acute pain. This disease disturbs deep sleep which can cause mood swings and irritability. The person in the grip of this condition cannot even exercise because of the pain in the neck, shoulder, back and hip areas. He or she also experience abdominal pain, chronic headaches, concentration problems, incontinence, numbness followed by the pins and needles sensation in the limbs, dryness in the mouth, stiffness in the body. Pelvic pain, heart palpitations, sensitivity to medicines, multiple allergies and chest wall pain are other symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
The signs of fibromyalgia overlap the symptoms of other musculoskeletal diseases such as bursitis, tendinitis, and osteoarthritis. However, in case of the other diseases, the pain is restricted to the specific parts of the body whereas, in fibromyalgia, the pain spreads all over the body.
What causes fibromyalgia?
It is very difficult to determine what causes fibromyalgia. However, it is generally believed that fibromyalgia is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If there is a history of fibromyalgia in the family, then a person is most likely to get it due to the genes running in the family. Environmental factors like infections, psychological stress, and emotional or physical trauma can lead to fibromyalgia. Infections like flu can trigger fibromyalgia and so can repeated injuries or surgery. Childbirth and menopause can also result in the person suffering from fibromyalgia.
The central nervous system is affected, and its processes cause pain in the body which is why fibromyalgia is also called the central sensitization syndrome. Other musculoskeletal diseases can also contribute to the development of fibromyalgia. These diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. At times, other autoimmune diseases can also cause fibromyalgia as well. The brain and spinal cord process pain sensations in an abnormal manner which is why the body’s capacity to bear pain is acutely diminished. The pain becomes very intense, and the disease aggravates the already existing pain an individual is currently suffering from, thereby making the condition worse. Massage does not help at all because it causes more pain than relief.
Fibromyalgia has some trigger points which are more affected than other parts. These tender points include the back of the head, shoulder tops, upper portion of the chest, knees, outer elbows and hips. Imbalance in hormones like serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine can skew the body’s capacity to process pain and interrupt pain signals coming from the brain and the nervous system. This leads to intensification in the body’s sensitivity to the sensation of pain.
Treatment for fibromyalgia
There is no specific treatment available for fibromyalgia. The only thing that can be done is find a treatment for its symptoms. You need to know what causes fibromyalgia in order to cure the disease. Medications are given for depression and seizures. Anti-depressants like amitriptyline, duloxetine, milnacipran, and pregabalin help to reduce the anxiety and depression which also reduce the psychological stress. Anticonvulsants like gabapentin and pregabalin help in reducing pain. A combination of paracetamol and tramadol also help in increasing the body’s tolerance to pain. Sodium oxybate increases the production of growth hormones and reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
There are certain muscle relaxants like carisoprodol and cyclobenzaprine, tizanidine and acetaminophen which can be combined with caffeine to treat fibromyalgia. Along with medication, therapy also helps to manage the symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps the person to increase the body’s threshold of pain. The mind-body therapy is aimed at increasing the coordination between the brain, mind, body, and behavior. There is movement therapy like yoga and tai chi which can increase the flexibility of the body and reduce stress. Exercising can also help in inducing sleep and reduce fatigue and pain because the muscles get some movement. Cardiovascular exercise has proven to be effective in many cases.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of fibromyalgia, then you should visit your doctor to get it confirmed. You should not take medication without it being prescribed by the doctor or without knowing what causes fibromyalgia. Certain lifestyle changes like exercises and weight reduction can help to eliminate the causes of fibromyalgia and help to cure it in the long run. You should try them out to see the results.
