Fibromyalgia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle or joint pain, exhaustion, poor sleep, depression, and cognitive impairments such as memory loss and difficulty focusing. The discomfort is distributed throughout the body. There is no cure for fibromyalgia; therapy focuses on symptom relief.

Important takeaways:

• Fibromyalgia is characterised by widespread muscle and joint pain that lasts more than three months.
• Fatigue, poor sleep, depression, cognitive impairments such as poor memory and trouble focusing, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), and irritable bowel syndrome are all fibromyalgia symptoms (IBS).
• Other illnesses that cause muscle and joint symptoms are ruled out using laboratory testing and imaging examinations.
• Fibromyalgia has no known cure. Medications, lifestyle modifications, exercise, and cognitive behavioural therapy are all used to treat symptoms.

Is fibromyalgia a genuine condition?

Previously, it was debatable if the illness existed or was only in the thoughts of the sufferers. However, great progress has been made in detecting the illness during the last 30 years. Fibromyalgia is now a recognised diagnosis and illness.

Fibromyalgia is thought to affect 2-6% of the population, with females being more affected than males. Fibromyalgia is a disorder that affects adults in their forties and fifties, mainly between the ages of 25 and 55.

Fibromyalgia causes

Although the precise aetiology of fibromyalgia is unknown, it is thought to be trauma-related, such as physical trauma, psychological stress, or certain infections.

Our central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) exacerbates fibromyalgia pain owing to neurochemical (small organic substances that engage in neural activity) abnormalities. In other words, by increasing sensitization or lowering inhibitory pain fibres, our brains may perceive more pain than should be there in the location. This idea is now being tested through research.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is characterised by widespread pain throughout the body. The symptoms vary from person to person, but they often include:

Pain. Aches and pains in numerous joints and muscles throughout the body.
Sleep is of poor quality. Fibromyalgia patients frequently complain about a lack of sleep.
Fatigue. This ailment is frequently connected with tiredness and a general lack of vitality.
Depression. Sadness, rage, and mood swings are all prevalent.
Cognition. Fibromyalgia is sometimes associated with cognitive difficulties such as impaired memory or poor focus.
IBS. In certain circumstances, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) develops.
TMD is also known as TMJ. Fibromyalgia has been linked to temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and its subtype, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).
How is fibromyalgia identified?
In addition to a recent history of physical or psychological trauma, the history might stimulate several sites of pain. Inform your doctor if you have recently experienced major psychological stressors. A three-month or longer history of symptoms is required to make the diagnosis.

Physical Examination

A physical assessment will look for sore spots in the muscles and joints. Previously, a particular number of sensitive places were necessary for diagnosis, but currently, simply generalised sensitivity or discomfort is required.

Although there is no particular laboratory test for fibromyalgia, bloodwork is required to rule out other illnesses that produce similar forms of pain:

Antinuclear body (ANA) test for rheumatoid arthritis; erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) test for inflammatory disorders;
Test for blood calcium levels (low calcium levels can cause muscular spasms);
A rheumatoid factor (RF) test is used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Imaging research

Even if imaging examinations do not reveal any particular fibromyalgia abnormalities, they might assist uncover other illnesses that cause pain.

X-rays in their purest form

X-rays allow the doctor to see the bones beneath the skin. To begin, any underlying bony abnormalities such as a fracture (break), spur (bony prominence), or osteoporosis must be ruled out (thinning of the bones). In osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, x-rays may reveal constriction, spurs, bony cysts, or sclerosis in the joints (hardening of the bones). On x-rays, metastatic cancer that has progressed to the bone might look as “punched-out” lesions. These lesions mimic raindrops splashing on a surface.

CT and MRI scans are available

Soft tissue features not visible on x-rays, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, are evaluated using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both create three-dimensional computer-generated views for the evaluating physician.

Options for Fibromyalgia Treatment

 

Once the diagnosis of fibromyalgia has been established, it can be treated as such. Because there is no cure for fibromyalgia, treatment focuses on symptom relief through drugs, lifestyle adjustments, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

• Analgesics sold over-the-counter (OTC): Acetaminophen (Tylenol), for example, can aid with pain but use with caution because excessive usage can lead to liver illness.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs): Because fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory condition, prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) are not recommended as a therapy. However, numerous over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can alleviate discomfort. Prolonged use of OTC NSAIDs is not advised since they might induce stomach ulcers and stroke. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation are some of the other adverse effects.
• Antidepressants: Several antidepressant classes, particularly tricyclics like Elavil, can aid with the pain and exhaustion of fibromyalgia (amitriptyline). Cymbalta (duloxetine) and milnacipran (Savella) are newer antidepressants that boost levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine
• Relaxants for the muscles: These can be beneficial, however, they have the usual side effect of sleepiness. Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine), Soma (carisoprodol), and Robaxin are common muscle relaxants (methocarbamol).
• Medication to prevent seizures: These can assist with the nerve discomfort that comes with fibromyalgia. Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin) are two examples; nevertheless, they can cause sleepiness, similar to muscle relaxants.
• Opioids: Opioids (narcotic pain relievers) can assist with pain but should not be taken long-term; these medications are addictive, which means you require a higher and higher dose to achieve the same pain relief.

Changes in lifestyle

Combining cardiovascular and weight training is good. Furthermore, we recommend that you stretch gently before and moderately after exercise; nevertheless, don’t overdo it because it might lead to damage.

• Cardio: Walking, jogging, bicycling, hiking, and utilising elliptical machines are all effective cardiovascular fitness activities. Pool workouts might be good for those who cannot endure the activities indicated above. Lap swimming and water aerobics are two examples.
• Weight lifting: Bodyweight workouts and free weights are excellent ways to increase strength.
  Smoking: Cigarette smoking should be avoided.
  Doctor: Consult your doctor on a frequent basis.
  Diet: Maintain a nutritious diet.
  Sleep: Get plenty of rest and sleep.

All of these lifestyle modifications will benefit a person’s general health, particularly in the long run.

Wearing a mouth guard, especially at night, can aid in the treatment of TMD and TMJ. There are several sorts available, including personalized, pre-made, soft, and hard.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) (CBT)

To deal with the psychological concerns connected with fibromyalgia, such as chronic tiredness, depression, sleeplessness, and other mental health issues, a mental health counselor may be required.

Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments available.