Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by musculoskeletal pain and is accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory problems, and mood problems. The body’s musculoskeletal system itself is the structure that supports the limbs, neck, and back.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that can amplify the sensation of pain by affecting the way the brain and spinal cord process pain signals. Symptoms usually appear after an event of physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress.
In other cases, symptoms will build up gradually over time without a single triggering event. This condition can affect anyone, including children. However, it is more common in women than men. It is most common in people aged 30-50 years.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
There are various symptoms that can be experienced by sufferers. The main symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Radiating pain. The pain is described as a dull ache that lasts for about three months. The pain usually occurs on both sides of the body, above and below the waist.
- Excessive fatigue. Sufferers often wake up tired even after sleeping for a long time. Sleep is often disturbed by pain and other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea.
- Cognitive difficulties. Cognitive impairment can interfere with the ability to focus, pay attention, and concentrate.
Fibromyalgia often occurs together with other conditions, such as:
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
- Migraines and other types of headaches.
- Bladder syndrome.
- Temporomandibular joint disorders.
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- Postural tachycardia syndrome.
The severity of fibromyalgia will vary, depending on the level of stress experienced by the sufferer, the amount of activity carried out, and extreme weather changes.
Causes of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is characterized by changes in repetitive nerve stimulation that affect the brain and spinal cord. These changes involve an increase in certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain, causing the body to overreact to pain signals.
Fibromyalgia Risk Factors
Risk factors for fibromyalgia include:
- Age. The risk of disease increases as time goes by.
- Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. The risk of disease is higher if you have both of these diseases.
- Gender. Women are twice as likely to have fibromyalgia as men.
- Traumatic events. Some of these events include car accidents and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Repetitive injury. Injuries caused by repeated stress on the joint, such as frequent bending of the knee.
- Body shape. People with obesity are at higher risk of experiencing it.
Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
The initial step of diagnosis is done by examining and asking about the sufferer’s medical history, including the closest family. Because, until now there is no test that can be done to detect it, because the symptoms are very similar to other health disorders.
Doctors will usually perform blood tests and X-rays to check hormone levels and signs of inflammation in the body. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will measure how much pain and how much symptoms affect the sufferer’s daily activities.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that cannot be cured. The goal of treatment is only to relieve symptoms so that they do not hinder the sufferer’s daily activities. In addition, treatment for each sufferer will be different.
The disease can be treated and managed effectively with medication and self-management. Here are some steps to take:
- Medications, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening exercises.
- Stress management techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and massage.
- Good sleeping habits to improve sleep quality.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy treats depression by changing the way people act or think.
Complications of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can cause pain, disability, and decreased quality of life. If some of the symptoms that appear are left untreated, the following complications can occur:
- Have a low quality of life.
- Have high levels of depression.
- Have a high risk of injury and suicide.
- Have a risk of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Fibromyalgia Prevention
Self-care is very important to manage and prevent the disease from getting worse. Here are some preventive measures that can be taken:
- Manage stress well, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation.
- Get good quality sleep.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
