What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
How common is Fibromyalgia?
Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men. It is estimated that fibromyalgia affects 0.7 to 4.5% of the population worldwide.
What causes Fibromyalgia?
The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown. Potential triggers include accidents, work-related injuries, surgery, infection, psychological and emotional trauma, and stress.
What are the symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
Symptoms may come and go over time, but they are unlikely to disappear completely. Your symptoms may improve or worsen at times depending on several factors, such as changes in weather, your stress levels, and your level of physical activity. The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are:
- Severe pain is likely one of the main symptoms. You may feel this pain throughout your body, but it may be worse in certain areas such as the back or neck.
- Fibromyalgia can make you extremely sensitive to pain throughout your body, even from the lightest touch.
- Fibromyalgia may make you feel stiff.
- Fatigue from fibromyalgia can range from moderate tiredness to the exhaustion usually experienced with flu-like illnesses.
- You may find that you often wake up tired even when you have had plenty of sleep. This is because fibromyalgia can sometimes prevent you from sleeping deeply enough to refresh you properly.
- If you experience pain and stiffness in your neck and shoulders due to fibromyalgia, you may also suffer from frequent headaches.
- Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include: restless legs syndrome, tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation in the hands and feet.
How do you know if you have Fibromyalgia?
- Having widespread pain for more than three months and experiencing pain in 11 of the 18 specified tender points may indicate that you have fibromyalgia.
- Feeling pain when the doctor presses on the tender points with their thumb.
- Blood tests, X-rays, and other tests can be used to rule out any other diagnosis.
How is Fibromyalgia treated?
(1) Exercise: It is very important to start exercising gradually. Exercises to consider include walking, low-impact aerobics, hydrotherapy programs, and using exercise equipment such as stationary bikes or treadmills.
(2) Medications: The most effective medications are muscle relaxants and antidepressants, as they can increase the time you spend in deep sleep as well as relieve pain.
(3) Lifestyle modifications:
- Your doctor can help you develop strategies to avoid feeling overly tired or stressed.
- Relaxation techniques can include deep breathing exercises, listening to music, prayer, meditation, or listening to relaxation tapes.
