Fibromyalgia is a health condition that causes pain in the muscles and bones as well as fatigue, tenderness in some areas, and insomnia. This health condition can be difficult for even medical professionals to diagnose because it has symptoms similar to other conditions.

Fibromyalgia is regularly misdiagnosed because there are no actual tests to prove the diagnosis.

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Types of Fibromyalgia Pain

Hyperalgesia: This is the term used to describe people’s increased sense of pain that is traceable to fibromyalgia. Widespread muscle pain is a property of fibromyalgia, too. People suffering from it tend to have lower back pain, pain between the shoulder blades, and pain in the breastbone.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain: Temporomandibular joint pain is one of the most common joint issues in people with fibromyalgia. It is commonly explained to be a dull, constant ache affecting the ear, eyes, lower jaw, and/or neck.

Allodynia: Felt on the skin, allodynia is when a simple touch can cause pain. Pressure from clothing bands or bra straps can be painful, for instance.

Neuropathic Pain: This pain causes a feeling of tingling, numbness, burning, crawling, or itching in the arms and legs.

Symptoms

Fibromyalgia has a wide range of symptoms. The most common are:

• Fatigue
• Jaw pain and stiffness
• Concentration and memory difficulty
• Widespread pain
• Sensitivity to heat or cold
• Irregular sleep pattern
• Tingling and numbness in hands and feet
• Painful menstrual cramps
• Soreness and pain in fibrous tissues
• Headache
• Restless leg syndrome

A person experiencing fibromyalgia may also experience:

• Breathing problems
• Weight gain
• Problems with sight
• Chest issues
• Cold or flu-like symptoms
• Skin problems
• Pelvic and urinary issues
• Anxiety and depression
• Nausea

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

If you’ve had widespread pain for three months or more, your doctor may diagnose you with fibromyalgia. The term “widespread” explains that the pain is on both sides of your body, whether above or below your waistline. Your doctor carries out a thorough examination to see that no other condition is causing you pain before concluding it’s fibromyalgia.

Since there are no imaging scans or lab tests that can diagnose fibromyalgia, your doctor uses other tests to cancel out other causes of the pain. It is quite difficult for doctors to differentiate between fibromyalgia and an autoimmune disease due to the overlap in symptoms.

Treating Fibromyalgia

Even though there is no cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments that can help you live normally, including:

Pain Relief Medication: Taking certain medications can help reduce body pains. Doctors may suggest an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. These drugs help reduce inflammation, allow for uninterrupted sleep, and reduce muscular aches.

Antidepressants: This will help reduce your body pain and fatigue as well as lift your mood.

Anticonvulsants: They are mostly used for those that are seizure-prone but, can also reduce body pain.

Yoga: Yoga helps you improve your mood and reduce pain or fatigue. Classes focus on gentle poses, meditation, breathing exercises, and group discussion.

Physical Therapy: It helps reduce strain by improving your muscular strength. Also, while taking yoga classes or physical therapy sessions, let your instructor know about your health condition. This way, they can adjust the session to be in favor of your needs.

How Can I Manage Fibromyalgia

There is no cure for fibromyalgia currently.  Alternatively, there are some treatments used to manage the symptoms. They include:

• Lifestyle Changes
• Medications
• Self-Care Strategies

Physical and occupational therapy also helps reduce stress on your body and enhances your strength.

FAQ

1. What are the causes of fibromyalgia? The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown but suspected factors that can cause it are genetics, recurring injuries from repetitive actions, and exposure to stressful or traumatic events.
2. Do men also have fibromyalgia? It is not only a woman’s disease. Men and children can also be affected. The majority of cases are diagnosed in people’s adult years, though it is found in some children and teenagers.
3. Does fibromyalgia cause excessive weight gain? Weight gain can be a symptom of it but, it’s not a major one.

Healthier Me Today is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment, always consult with your healthcare professional. Stay healthy!