Peeping into the Facts: What to know About Fibromyalgia?

The sudden feeling of discomfort throughout the body could sometimes be more severe than we apprehend it. We might find ourselves stuck in a loop where we feel bodily pain, and we treat ourselves with a minor pain killer, which in turn intends to turn an underlying disease into something severe.

There is a specific condition whose signs may seem familiar, but they are not necessarily the same condition that the other individual faces. Fibromyalgia Syndrome is similar to this kind of state where the signs indicate something else, but we perceive it differently.

Fibromyalgia is a sickness that could be an obvious sign in people facing chronic body pain and mental distress due to the same. One might misunderstand the condition of something similar to Arthritis. Still, arthritis causes pain in the joint instead of Fibromylagia, leading to pain in soft tissue, making the disease entirely different.

Experts haven’t been able to identify the cause of the disease till now. Still, it has been confirmed that the risk factors and consequences of the disorder could be a traumatic injury, any autoimmune disease such as a genetic factor causing the condition to trigger even more.

What are some causes Identified?

Several rheumatologists have claimed that although the reason behind the sickness seems unclear, the chances are that the central pain processing in our brain reacts more sensitively to any ache and feels triggered in the case of Fibromyalgia.

There could be certain life events that could trigger the occurrence of Fibromylagia and disrupt the central pain processing in the brain;

  • The occurrence of any traumatic incident such as an accident causing an emotional or physical trauma
  • Repetitive injury in a particular part of the body.
  • Any problem in the Central Nervous System or
  • Prior presence of any autoimmune disease.

Moreover, it has been observed that individuals, specifically women who already have someone in their blood relation with a condition as fibromyalgia, tend to experience the signs of the disease more than anyone. The other individuals with chances of fibromyalgia are those with rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorder.

The Potential Symptoms of the Disease

There are sure common signs in every person with fibromyalgia syndrome, and all these symptoms begin worsening during the age of 45. It includes:

  • Pain and Stiffness in Jaws
  • Pain throughout the body
  • Consistent Headaches
  • Disturbed sleep patterns
  • Feeling of Fatigue
  • Pinching and tingling sensation in the hands and feet
  • Numbness in the hands and feet
  • Too much sensitivity to cold or heat
  • Inability to concentrate or difficulty in remembering things
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD)
  • Excessive pain during menstruation

Since fibromyalgia differs and shows different signs in different people, there are some other symptoms observed too in people such as:

  • Vision issues
  • Issues with weight gain
  • Cold and Flu
  • Skin problems
  • Signs of Depression and Anxiety
  • Urinary Infection or Problems
  • Short Breathing Issues
  • Dizziness and Nausea

It is essential to note that earlier, doctors used to identify the severity and prevalence of fibromyalgia in an individual by a few tender points where the pain seems to occur. These tender points involve:

  • At the back of the head
  • Inner knees
  • Outer Elbows
  • Neck and shoulder
  • outer hips
  • upper chest

The medical professionals used to apply pressure on these points to identify the severity of pain and the condition, but now it isn’t the appropriate way to diagnose it; rather, it depends on the severity of the problem throughout the body.

The preferrable Treatment and Diet

The treatment plan for the different individuals may vary in the case of Fibromyalgia. The treatment includes:

Behavior Modification Therapy

Behavior Modification Therapy is a cognitive-behavioral therapy which could help in relaxing and coping with pain-increasing behaviors. CBT could lead to positivity and help in managing the painful situation.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has proved to be beneficial for so many diseases, and according to few studies, Acupuncture could help in managing Fibromyalgia efficiently within the immediate period of being diagnosed with the disease. It would be beneficial to opt for sessions as prescribed by the physician.

Exercising

It is advised that f strength training or aerobic exercises are performed; it could help reduce the pain, but if the method is working, one must try to keep it consistent to measure the progress.

Drugs are also prescribed by the physician to measure progress, but patients cease to take them in between when they don’t feel any relief from pain. The doctors prescribe anti-depressants to help reduce the ache. It is best that in case of any side effects experienced due to consuming these medicines, an individual must consult his/her doctor.

The other methods to cope with the syndrome could be massage, physical therapy, psychotherapy, etc. But there could be certain food items whose intake could make things better;

  • The Consumption of food such as almonds, tofu, bean, oatmeal which could boost energy throughout the day helping in reducing the tired feeling which is a symptom of fibromyalgia and, all these food items don’t have added sugar in them
  • Cutting out gluten from your diet could help in reducing the pain experienced due to fibromyalgia.
  • Reducing food, which has aspartame and monosodium glutamate (MSG), could reduce pain reduction due to fibromyalgia.
  • Consuming more seed and nuts means that there would be more consumption of micronutrients, which helps in cell growth that helps people with conditions like fibromyalgia.

The more one tries to maintain the quality of life with a better quality of food and reduced weight; the fibromyalgia reduces in such people helping them manage pain in their body parts. Moreover, if the condition worsens, it is best to meet your physician to help manage the situation before it gets any worse.