Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that is characterized by widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Someone could experience fatigue and multiple tender points or places on the body where slight pressure causes pain.
The symptoms may begin after a physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases there seems to be no triggering event. It occurs in about two percent of the population in the United States.
The signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia may vary and can depend on the weather, stress, physical activity and sometimes even the time of day. The pain is usually described as a constant dull ache in the muscles. If it is widespread, the pain will occur on both sides of the body and below the waist.
The pain can occur when firm pressure is applied to tender points that are located on the back of the head, between the shoulder blades, the top of the shoulders, front sides of the neck, the upper chest, outer elbows, upper hips, sides of the hips and the inner knees.
Many times someone with fibromyalgia will wake up tired, even though they have gotten plenty of sleep.
It is not known what causes fibromyalgia, but there have been identified risk factors.
Fibromyalgia occurs more often in women, it tends to develop during early and middle adulthood but can occur in children and older adults, disturbed sleep patterns such as nighttime muscle spasms in the legs, restless legs syndrome, or sleep apnea, family history of the disease and rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Fibromyalgia can lead to pain, depression and lack of sleep. These problems can interfere with an ability to function at home or at work.
It can also interfere with close family or personal relationships due to the frustration of dealing with a condition that many people do not understand or know about.
Sometimes fibromyalgia is hard to diagnosis. It is important before someone visits a doctor to document a detailed description of symptoms, include past medical problems and history and be familiar with the medical problems of parents or siblings, and provide a list of the medications and dietary supplements someone takes.
When a person sees the doctor they will have a physical exam that should include checking reflexes, muscle strength and tone, senses of touch and sight, coordination and balance. The American College of Rheumatology has determined two criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
These two criteria are widespread pain lasting at least three months and at least 11 positive tender points out of a total of 18. There is no confirmatory lab test for fibromyalgia but a health care provider may do some tests to rule out other conditions before determining a diagnosis.
Treatment emphasis for fibromyalgia is on minimizing the symptoms and improving general health.
Analgesics such as acetaminophen, Ultram, along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium have been found to be helpful in controlling the pain.
A health care provider may prescribe antidepressants to help promote sleep. There has also been identified some success in using anti-seizure drugs to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Physical therapy using specific exercises can help to restore the muscle balance and tone to help reduce the pain. Stretching exercises and the use of hot or cold applications may also provide some relief.
Self-care is very important in decreasing the pain from fibromyalgia.
Learning stress management techniques such as deep-breathing exercises or meditation will help in decreasing the amount of stress someone has. Developing a plan to avoid or limit overexertion and emotional stress and allowing a person time each day to relax are important.
Fatigue is one of the main characteristics of fibromyalgia. Getting plenty of sleep is critical. Not only does someone need to allow enough time to sleep but developing good sleep habits such as going to bed and getting up at the same time every day will help.
Pacing oneself and keeping activity on an even level is important. Don’t overexert energy on the days of feeling good.
Exercise is important and needs to be done regularly. At first exercising might increase pain but if one continues to exercise they may see a decrease in symptoms. Exercises that are good for fibromyalgia include walking, swimming, water aerobics and biking.
Besides having to deal with the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia, one may have to deal with the frustration of a condition that is many times misunderstood.
It may be helpful if a person identifies resources, organizations or groups that they can attend. These groups can often provide a level of help and advice that someone may not find anywhere else.
Contact a health care provider for more information.
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Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that is characterized by widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Someone could experience fatigue and multiple tender points or places on the body where slight pressure causes pain.
The symptoms may begin after a physical or emotional trauma, but in many cases there seems to be no triggering event. It occurs in about two percent of the population in the United States.
The signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia may vary and can depend on the weather, stress, physical activity and sometimes even the time of day. The pain is usually described as a constant dull ache in the muscles. If it is widespread, the pain will occur on both sides of the body and below the waist.
The pain can occur when firm pressure is applied to tender points that are located on the back of the head, between the shoulder blades, the top of the shoulders, front sides of the neck, the upper chest, outer elbows, upper hips, sides of the hips and the inner knees.
Many times someone with fibromyalgia will wake up tired, even though they have gotten plenty of sleep.
It is not known what causes fibromyalgia, but there have been identified risk factors.
Fibromyalgia occurs more often in women, it tends to develop during early and middle adulthood but can occur in children and older adults, disturbed sleep patterns such as nighttime muscle spasms in the legs, restless legs syndrome, or sleep apnea, family history of the disease and rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Fibromyalgia can lead to pain, depression and lack of sleep. These problems can interfere with an ability to function at home or at work.
It can also interfere with close family or personal relationships due to the frustration of dealing with a condition that many people do not understand or know about.
Sometimes fibromyalgia is hard to diagnosis. It is important before someone visits a doctor to document a detailed description of symptoms, include past medical problems and history and be familiar with the medical problems of parents or siblings, and provide a list of the medications and dietary supplements someone takes.
When a person sees the doctor they will have a physical exam that should include checking reflexes, muscle strength and tone, senses of touch and sight, coordination and balance. The American College of Rheumatology has determined two criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
These two criteria are widespread pain lasting at least three months and at least 11 positive tender points out of a total of 18. There is no confirmatory lab test for fibromyalgia but a health care provider may do some tests to rule out other conditions before determining a diagnosis.
Treatment emphasis for fibromyalgia is on minimizing the symptoms and improving general health.
Analgesics such as acetaminophen, Ultram, along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium have been found to be helpful in controlling the pain.
A health care provider may prescribe antidepressants to help promote sleep. There has also been identified some success in using anti-seizure drugs to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Physical therapy using specific exercises can help to restore the muscle balance and tone to help reduce the pain. Stretching exercises and the use of hot or cold applications may also provide some relief.
Self-care is very important in decreasing the pain from fibromyalgia.
Learning stress management techniques such as deep-breathing exercises or meditation will help in decreasing the amount of stress someone has. Developing a plan to avoid or limit overexertion and emotional stress and allowing a person time each day to relax are important.
Fatigue is one of the main characteristics of fibromyalgia. Getting plenty of sleep is critical. Not only does someone need to allow enough time to sleep but developing good sleep habits such as going to bed and getting up at the same time every day will help.
Pacing oneself and keeping activity on an even level is important. Don’t overexert energy on the days of feeling good.
Exercise is important and needs to be done regularly. At first exercising might increase pain but if one continues to exercise they may see a decrease in symptoms. Exercises that are good for fibromyalgia include walking, swimming, water aerobics and biking.
Besides having to deal with the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia, one may have to deal with the frustration of a condition that is many times misunderstood.
It may be helpful if a person identifies resources, organizations or groups that they can attend. These groups can often provide a level of help and advice that someone may not find anywhere else.
Contact a health care provider for more information.
