Causes Causes and Risk Factors of Fibromyalgia Researchers don’t know exactly what causes fibromyalgia, but it seems to occur when the body’s central and peripheral nervous systems don’t process pain properly.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629592b4ca8-1000-46ae-8939-85a0ac776aad Fibromyalgia symptoms often begin after physical or emotional trauma, such as an illness, surgery, an infection, a stressful life event, or an injury. The actual pain receptors in the brain may undergo changes, developing a kind of “memory” that leads them to overreact to pain signals.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cba77059-d8e2-47cd-a13b-677fe4cc2421 Genetics may play a role as well. Fibromyalgia is often seen in families, and having a relative with the disorder puts you at increased risk for it. Having certain medical conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, can also increase your risk of developing fibromyalgia.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ea4e0867-7098-4223-b1b8-a1e41697e0ac To complicate matters, fibromyalgia can also occur seemingly spontaneously, in the absence of trauma.
Lifestyle Lifestyle Changes for Fibromyalgia There are many lifestyle changes that can help improve fibromyalgia symptoms. Get Regular Exercise Physical exercise can be a helpful tool for managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Gentle stretching and aerobic exercise can relieve pain and prevent deconditioning or getting weaker from lack of exercise. It can also improve sleep.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629625d7965-81df-47fe-aa40-2a2c504c6b7f Engaging in exercise may be the last thing on your mind when you hurt all over from fibromyalgia, but in fact, not exercising can make your pain worse. The best approach to being physically active when you have fibromyalgia is to start low and go slow. In other words, start with a few minutes of activity, and gradually increase the amount of time you’re active over several weeks or months to build your strength and endurance.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629625d7965-81df-47fe-aa40-2a2c504c6b7f It’s better to do a little less than you’re capable of than to push too hard and trigger a fibromyalgia flare. Additionally, if you’re having a flare, reduce the time and intensity of your exercise sessions, but don’t be completely inactive. Follow a Healthy Diet Like everyone, people with fibromyalgia should eat foods that support their body. The Mediterranean diet, in particular, has been shown to improve some fibromyalgia symptoms. This means a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, healthy oils, legumes, and low-fat protein like fish and chicken (unless you have food sensitivities to any of these).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629797f2715-ca6f-4071-80ce-ea57ffb33c98 It also means cutting back on processed, fatty, and sugary foods. Discussing your diet with a registered dietitian-nutritionist or your doctor can help you find the best eating pattern for your needs.
Treatment Treatment and Medication Options for Fibromyalgia Many types of medical specialists treat fibromyalgia. Some family practice doctors or internists (internal medicine specialists) can recognize and manage the condition. You may also see a pain specialist, rheumatologist , or a neurologist. Fibromyalgia is often best treated with a combination of approaches. Medication Options No one medication works for all of the symptoms of fibromyalgia.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cba77059-d8e2-47cd-a13b-677fe4cc2421 However, some prescription drugs can help reduce the pain of the condition and improve sleep , which can help with fatigue. To date, four prescription medications have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically to treat fibromyalgia:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762910da4e35-0f16-4fa0-8aa8-3e300711b466e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293886b500-a707-4843-96a4-81599cb8e8a0 Duloxetine (Cymbalta) Pregabalin (Lyrica) Milnacipran (Savella) Cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride (Tonmya) Your doctor may also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Ibuprofen (Advil) Naproxen (Aleve) Complementary Therapies Along with prescription or over-the-counter medications some therapies can also help, including:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cba77059-d8e2-47cd-a13b-677fe4cc2421 Physical therapy Occupational therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy
Prognosis How Long Does Fibromyalgia Last? Although currently available treatments can help to manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia, there’s no cure for the condition.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cba77059-d8e2-47cd-a13b-677fe4cc2421 Many people with fibromyalgia live with widespread pain and fatigue for many years. While it isn’t a progressive disease, fibromyalgia symptoms can change over time and may worsen for some.
Resources We Trust Mayo Clinic: FibromyalgiaCleveland Clinic: FibromyalgiaNational Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to TakeAmerican College of Rheumatology: FibromyalgiaArthritis Foundation: Fibromyalgia
Complications Complications of Fibromyalgia The constant pain, fatigue, and lack of sleep associated with fibromyalgia can interfere with your daily life. Many people are unable to function at work or at home and become frustrated because this condition is often misunderstood. Specific complications of fibromyalgia may include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629b739d1ea-369b-4aca-8898-bbde766d86dc Depression Lower quality of life Hospitalization
Symptoms Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is known for causing widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue. It can also cause:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629592b4ca8-1000-46ae-8939-85a0ac776aad Difficulty sleeping Problems with memory or concentration (“fibro fog”) Dizziness Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet Headaches Digestive issues Dry eyes or mouth Because the symptoms of fibromyalgia overlap with those of many other conditions, diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see several doctors and have many medical tests to rule out other conditions before getting a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f2c97545-3bca-4ebb-ad89-4a980f63e41f
Diagnosis How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed? Historically, fibromyalgia was diagnosed by having a doctor check 18 specific points on the body to see how many of them were painful when pressed firmly. This was called a “tender point” exam.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629adbaba85-5a90-412d-afb1-121368f00433 However, doctors are moving away from the tender point exam in the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Instead, diagnosing fibromyalgia is currently done by assessing whether you have widespread, unexplained pain for more than three months.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cba77059-d8e2-47cd-a13b-677fe4cc2421 At present, there are no tests that can be used to definitively diagnose fibromyalgia . However, your doctor may recommend imaging or blood tests to rule out other conditions.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629cba77059-d8e2-47cd-a13b-677fe4cc2421
The Takeaway Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition marked by widespread pain, fatigue, and a variety of other symptoms. It isn’t a progressive disease and there isn’t a formal cure, but there are many steps you can take to manage it effectively and improve your quality of life. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider, rheumatologist, pain specialist, physical therapist, or counselor. Nonpharmacological approaches — including gentle exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and stress management — may complement your treatment.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-term) disorder defined by pain and tenderness throughout your body, as well as fatigue. People with fibromyalgia tend to have a heightened sense of pain. This feeling is sometimes described as a constant muscle ache.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629592b4ca8-1000-46ae-8939-85a0ac776aad Fibromyalgia isn’t a progressive disease, which means it won’t steadily worsen over time. There’s no cure for fibromyalgia, but treatments are available that may help relieve symptoms and improve your quality of life.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e9ae35ec-f8fe-4d96-8248-757f597b8719
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