Fibromyalgia - Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition causing pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the muscles, tendons, and joints. Fibromyalgia is also characterized by restless sleep, awakening feeling tired, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and disturbances in bowel function. Fibromyalgia was formerly known as fibrositis.
Fibromyalgia is a recently recognized disorder that is regarded as a chronic condition associated with the experience of non-inflammatory pain and tenderness in muscles, ligaments, joints and fatigue. Fibromyalgia is a relatively common condition, estimated to affect about four percent of the general population. It is very similar to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); Only point of difference is presence of musculoskeletal pain in Fibromyalgia and that of fatigue in CFS.
Causes
Researchers are not sure of the cause of fibromyalgia, however a number of potentially responsible factors have been suggested. For many people fibromyalgia develops gradually without any known cause. Others attribute its onset to a variety of triggers including problems with the joints in the neck and low back, motor vehicle accidents, work-related injuries, viral illnesses, surgery, infections, emotional trauma, or physical or emotional stress.
Symptoms
The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread musculoskeletal pain, severe fatigue, and disturbed sleep. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons – the soft fibrous tissues in the body.
Prevention
Patients with fibromyalgia benefit from scheduled lives. Eating at the same time every day, going to bed at the same time, and getting the same amount of sleep every night can help minimize symptoms. Also, patients tend to fare better in warmer, dryer climates as compared to colder, wetter ones. Changes in temperature can increase pain for patients. Regular exercise (but not excessive exercise) can help lessen symptoms, although a disease flare is possible in the first few weeks.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, home treatment can relieve some of the symptoms.
The most important therapy for muscle pain is regular, low-impact exercise. Keeping muscles conditioned and healthy by exercising three times a week decreases the amount of discomfort. It is important to try low-stress exercises such as walking, swimming, water aerobics, and biking rather than muscle-straining exercises such as weight training. Besides helping with tenderness, regular exercises can also boost energy levels and help with sleep.
One of the most important factors in improving the symptoms of Fibromyalgia is for the patient to recognize the need for lifestyle adaptation. Most people are resistant to change because it implies adjustment, discomfort and effort. However, in the case of Fibromyalgia, change can bring about recognizable improvement in function and quality of life. Becoming educated about Fibromyalgia gives the patient more potential for improvement.
Prescription sleeping pills, such as zolpidem (Ambien), may provide short-term benefits for some people with fibromyalgia, but doctors usually advise against long-term use of these drugs. These medications tend to work for only a short time, after which your body becomes resistant to their effects. Ultimately, using sleeping pills tends to create even more sleeping problems in many people.
