One morning, you awaken feeling fatigued despite getting eight hours of sleep. Getting out of bed requires additional effort, as you notice persistent muscle and joint aches. Although you consider the possibility of having the flu, the absence of a fever or cough raises doubts. This could likely be your body telling you to slow down. However, if this situation continues, you may want to meet a doctor to rule out fibromyalgia—a chronic condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue and cognitive challenges.
Here’s all you need to know about fibromyalgia.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is an incurable illness that affects the way the brain and spinal cord operate pain signals. Those with fibromyalgia go through widespread pain all over the body, along with issues like tiredness, sleep problems and trouble with thinking. Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unclear, it might have something to do with both genetic and environmental factors.
It is not a form of arthritis but can co-exist with other rheumatic diseases.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Here are some common symptoms of fibromyalgia:
- Fibromyalgia causes constant dull pain in your muscles and joints, especially on both sides of the body and above and below the waist. The pain may last over three months and vary in intensity and location.
- Fibromyalgia also makes you feel tired and weak, even after sleeping for long periods. Experiencing difficulties in falling asleep or maintaining sleep can arise from pain or other sleep-related issues, such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome.
- It also results in difficulty concentrating, remembering or focusing on mental tasks. This is sometimes called fibro fog and may affect your work or daily activities.
- You may have headaches, muscle twitches or cramps, numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, itching, burning or other skin problems. You may also have mood changes, such as anxiety or depression.
In the worst scenario, a few other conditions co-exist with fibromyalgia, such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine, interstitial cystitis, temporomandibular joint disorders or postural tachycardia syndrome.
Causes of Fibromyalgia
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but it may be related to several factors, such as:
- Genetics: You may have inherited specific genes that make you more prone to developing fibromyalgia. This condition often runs in families.
- Infections: Some infections, such as flu or pneumonia, may trigger or worsen fibromyalgia
- Trauma: Some people may develop fibromyalgia after experiencing a physical or psychological shock, such as a severe injury or a stressful situation. This condition may also have a link with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Stress: Chronic stress can affect how your brain and nervous system process pain signals. Stress can also weaken your body’s defence against germs and increase inflammation.
These factors may influence certain brain chemical levels, such as serotonin and dopamine, that control pain, mood and sleep. They may also change how your pain receptors work, making them react more strongly to pain and other sensations.
Fibromyalgia affects primarily women, but men can also have it. The condition often starts in the middle years of life but can also occur in younger and older people. Some other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or irritable bowel syndrome, may increase your risk of developing fibromyalgia.
Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia
While there is no specific test for diagnosing fibromyalgia, doctors typically assess a combination of criteria.
- Pain in at least four out of five body regions (left and right upper and lower areas and axial region) for at least three months without any other explanation.
- The criteria for fibromyalgia include having tender points. These are specific spots on the body that hurt when touched gently. There are 18 spots, 11 or more of which should be sensitive to qualify for the diagnosis.
- The blood test results encompass a range of assessments, including a complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody test, rheumatoid factor, thyroid function tests, antinuclear antibody, celiac serology and vitamin D.
- One approach is an overnight sleep study that may assess the possibility of sleep apnoea.
Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia treatment usually involves a combination of medication, therapy and self-care strategies. Let’s start with medication first.
- Pain Relievers: Depending on the condition, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen, and prescription drugs such as tramadol. Avoid recommending opioid drugs, as they can induce side effects and foster dependence.
- Antidepressants: They help treat depression, anxiety and fatigue that often accompany fibromyalgia. Some examples are duloxetine, milnacipran, amitriptyline, and cyclobenzaprine.
- Antiseizure Drugs: These can help reduce specific pain and nerve sensitivity. Some examples are gabapentin or pregabalin.
Regarding self-care, you can make the following adjustments to your lifestyle:
- Exercise regularly to improve the blood circulation, reduce the pain and boost the mood. Begin with a low level of effort and slowly work your way up to longer and more challenging workouts.
- Get enough sleep to restore energy, reduce fatigue and improve cognitive function. Maintaining a persistent sleep schedule, refraining from consuming caffeine and alcohol and setting up a cosy and dark sleeping space is crucial to improving sleep quality.
- It is essential to identify and avoid the sources of stress and practice meditation, breathing or yoga.
- Eat a balanced diet to get the essential nutrients, maintain a healthy weight and prevent food sensitivities that can worsen fibromyalgia Eating more fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains and lean proteins and avoiding processed foods, sugar, caffeine, gluten and dairy is essential.
Complications Associated with Fibromyalgia
Some of the common complications are depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, irritable bowel syndrome and temporomandibular joint disorder. These complications can worsen the symptoms of fibromyalgia and make it harder to cope with the condition. Therefore, it is important to seek medical help and adopt healthy lifestyle habits to manage fibromyalgia and its complications.
Conclusion
The meaning of fibromyalgia lies in its challenging nature for those living with it. This condition induces widespread pain, overall body fatigue and mental confusion. Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, individuals can manage it through utilising medications, therapy and self-care practices. Understanding the significance of what fibromyalgia entails, its underlying causes, and the consequences it brings is crucial for obtaining appropriate assistance.
By addressing factors such as genetics, infections, injuries and stress, individuals with fibromyalgia can enhance their overall well-being. Seeking medical support and adopting a healthy lifestyle play pivotal roles in effectively handling both fibromyalgia and its associated issues. Having health insurance ensures access to specialized care and treatments, providing vital support for managing this chronic condition effectively.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.