Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by aching and pain in muscles, tendons and joints all over the body, especially along the spine.

There are measurable changes in body chemistry and function in some people with fibromyalgia. These changes may be responsible for certain symptoms. However, fibromyalgia is not associated with muscle, nerve or joint injury; inadequate muscle repair; or any serious bodily damage or disease. Also, people who have fibromyalgia are not at greater risk for any other musculoskeletal disease.

When stress continues without relief, your body doesn’t have time to relax or prepare for the next challenge. This is called distress.

Pain is the primary symptom in fibromyalgia.
Other symptoms are often associated with the pain, including:

• Sleep disturbance
• Daytime tiredness
• Alternating diarrhea and constipation
• Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
• Feelings of weakness

• Having difficulty remembering
• Dizziness
• Increased sensitivity to light, odors and sound
• Depression
• Headaches

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. There are, however, many theories about why people get fibromyalgia.

One theory suggests that stress contributes to the onset of fibromyalgia .

When fibromyalgia begins, stresses in a person’s life are prominent. Stress often results in disturbed sleep patterns and a lack of restful sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body does not produce the chemicals necessary to control or regulate pain. A lack of these pain-regulating chemicals results in tenderness in the upper back and forearms, leading to the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Physical and emotional factors may also contribute to the onset of fibromyalgia. For example, a physical illness (such as an infection) could cause changes in your body chemistry that lead to pain and sleeplessness.

When you are sick, you may worry about your health and become anxious depressed or inactive. These emotional factors could make your symptoms worse and aggravate fibromyalgia.

Women tend to have fibromyalgia more often than men. Some studies suggest that as many as 14% of women may have fibromyalgia symptoms., 2% – 4% of men .

The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is based on a combination of factors, including:

• Complete medical history and physical examination (to exclude other illnesses that may have similar symptoms such as rheumatoid arthritis , muscle inflammation, bursitis or tendinitis).
• Presence of widespread pain together with some of the other symptoms of fibromyalgia (see list, above).
• Presence of very tender areas (“tender points”) at specific locations (see Figure 2). People who have fibromyalgia experience abnormal sensitivity when light pressure is applied to many of the locations illustrated above.

People with fibromyalgia receive individual treatment based on several factors including their overall health, medical history, number of tender points, severity of pain and presence of other symptoms.

Treatment for fibromyalgia includes:

• Medications that decrease pain and improve sleep
• Lifestyle changes including stress reduction
• Exercises to improve cardiovascular (heart and lung) health
• Relaxation techniques to relieve muscle tension
• Medications

Medications that increase restful sleep, such as low doses of anti depressant drugs taken before bedtime, may help. Other kinds of sleeping pills are not very helpful for people who have fibromyalgia.

No currently existing medications completely relieve fibromyalgia pain. However, acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®) is both helpful and safer than other analgesics (pain-relieving medications). Consult your physician

Anti-inflammatory medications (such as cortisone derivatives) used to treat other rheumatic conditions have been tested in people with fibromyalgia and do not improve symptoms.

Brisk walking, biking, swimming and water aerobics are good activities to choose when starting your exercise program. Your physician can help you choose an exercise program that’s right for you.

Participating in aerobic exercise for half an hour, three times each week is an important step toward improving fibromyalgia symptoms. Exercise increases heart and lung function and stretches tight, sore muscles.

Certain stress factors in life (such as financial burdens, difficulties with a boss, coworkers, or your spouse) may not be easily eliminated. Evaluating the causes of stress and learning new ways to cope may improve fibromyalgia. Anxiety and depression are major contributors to stress and must be treated to enable fibromyalgia to improve.

Relaxation techniques  can help relieve muscle tension and reduce stress. Professionals trained in stress management can teach you these techniques.

There is no known or specific way to prevent fibromyalgia. It is in your best interest, however, to remain as healthy as possible. Maintaining a good diet, doing safe exercise, and getting adequate rest are good rules to follow if you hope to prevent any medical condition, including fibromyalgia.

Often, if the situations that caused stress are resolved, fibromyalgia may spontaneously improve and medications may not be necessary.

Many people with fibromyalgia will continue to have symptoms despite treatment, especially when life is stressful. However, medications that may alter the balance of pain-producing chemicals, (such as antidepressant drugs) should improve symptoms by 30%.

When other forms of therapy such as acetaminophen and aerobic exercise are combined to treat fibromyalgia, even more improvement can be expected. Those who are able to continue working and fulfilling their social obligations – despite their pain – do best.

*Note : The information on this page is not a medical statement or to give medical advice. Please seek the appropriate help from your medical professional.