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Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes pain throughout the body, as well as fatigue and difficulty sleeping. What are its causes? Is there a cure for it?
Who gets fibromyalgia?
Anyone can get fibromyalgia, but more women than men get it. It can affect people at any age, even children, but it usually starts in middle age, and the chance of developing it increases as you get older. It occurs across all racial and ethnic backgrounds, According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases in the United States.
You may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia if you have:
Fibromyalgia tends to run in families, and some scientists believe that certain genes may make you more susceptible to it. However, this disorder also occurs in people who have no family history of this disorder.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
Chronic, widespread pain throughout the body or in multiple locations. The pain is often felt in the arms, legs, head, chest, abdomen, back, and buttocks. People often describe it as painful, burning, or throbbing.
- Tired
- Difficulty sleeping
- Muscle and joint stiffness
- Numbness or tingling in the arms and legs
- Problems with concentration, clear thinking, and memory
- Increased sensitivity to light, noise, odors and temperature
- Digestive problems, such as bloating or constipation
Causes of fibromyalgia
The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but studies suggest that people with this disorder have an extreme sensitivity to pain, so they feel pain when others do not.
Brain imaging studies and other research have revealed evidence of altered signals in the neural pathways that transmit and receive pain in people with fibromyalgia. These changes may also contribute to the fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive problems experienced by many people with this disorder.
Fibromyalgia tends to run in families, so genetic factors likely contribute to the disorder, but little is known for sure about the genes involved.
Researchers believe that environmental (non-genetic) factors also play a role in a person’s risk of developing the disorder. These environmental triggers may include having a disease that causes pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, or mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression.
How do you know you have fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed primarily based on the presence of pain throughout the body, along with other symptoms. Currently, there are no specific laboratory or imaging tests for fibromyalgia.
The main symptoms – pain and fatigue – are shared with many other conditions, so doctors usually try to rule out other causes.
Doctors can do the following to diagnose fibromyalgia:
1- Taking a medical history
Your doctor will likely ask you about the location, severity and duration of your pain, and whether you have experienced severe fatigue or cognitive problems, such as confusion or memory problems.
He may also ask you if you have other conditions, because some people with fibromyalgia have other conditions at the same time.
2- Conduct a physical examination
Your doctor will examine your joints to see if you have another condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Your doctor may order laboratory or imaging tests to help rule out other diseases and conditions.
Can fibromyalgia be cured?
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms.
Fibromyalgia treatment
Your treatment plan will likely include a combination of psychological and behavioral therapy, medications, and self-management techniques, such as physical exercise and other movement therapies such as yoga or tai chi.
1- Cognitive behavioral therapies
A type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy, which aims to change the way you think about pain, can be helpful, especially when combined with other types of therapy.
This type of therapy can also be individual or in groups with a therapist. Other types of mental health counseling may also be helpful.
2- Medicines
There are a number of medications that can help relieve pain and improve sleep. Your doctor may prescribe more than one type of medication at the same time, such as:
- Antidepressants
- Anti-seizure medications
- Painkillers
You may need to try different drug combinations and doses before you get relief from your symptoms, and improvement is often gradual.
Living with fibromyalgia
Having fibromyalgia can significantly affect your quality of life and your ability to participate in daily activities. There are things you can do to help you live with fibromyalgia, including:
1- Playing sports
Exercise is the mainstay of fibromyalgia treatment. Although pain and fatigue may make exercise difficult, it is important for you to be as physically active as possible.
Research shows that regular exercise is one of the most beneficial ways to combat fibromyalgia, and even modest levels are helpful.
Aerobic activities can also improve sleep and reduce anxiety and depression.
You should start exercising at a low level and then gradually increase over time. Low-impact aerobic activities, such as walking, cycling, swimming and water exercises, are particularly beneficial, as are activities that engage the mind and body, such as yoga.
Be sure to check with your doctor before starting exercise.
2- Educate yourself and get support
Learn as much as you can about fibromyalgia, and join a support group – online or in person – with other people dealing with it. Having a support network can also help you manage difficult times.
See a mental health professional if emotional problems arise. Research has shown that a type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches skills needed to better control pain, can be helpful.
3- Fight fatigue
Persistent fatigue is one of the most worrying symptoms of fibromyalgia. The following strategies may help you sleep better and feel more rested.
- Create a comfortable sleeping environment and establish a bedtime routine.
- Go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
- Make your bed for sleeping only. Watching TV, reading, or using your laptop or phone in bed can keep you awake.
- Keep your bedroom comfortable, and try to keep it dark, quiet, and cool.
- Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine.
- Relax before bed. Avoid working or exercising near bedtime.
- Try some relaxing activities that get you ready for sleep, such as listening to soothing music, meditating, or taking a warm bath.
My experience with fibromyalgia
In her report published by the Swiss newspaper Luton, Sylvie Logan conveys the testimony of Jacqueline, who has been plagued by this disease for more than 10 years.
In this regard, Jacqueline says: “I used to be a very active woman. I went through the hell of physical, psychological and financial collapse and deep depression accompanied by ominous thoughts, all of this in just a few months. It is difficult to accept the reality of having to take a 30-minute break after every day’s work.” basic”.
According to the author, Jacqueline, 61 years old, has been suffering from fibromyalgia for more than 10 years, a disease characterized by chronic pain that is sometimes severe, accompanied by sleep disturbances, cognitive difficulties, digestive system problems, and even permanent fatigue.
The writer explained that since the beginning of the disease, Jacqueline had to learn how to deal with many symptoms on a daily basis, including physical suffering.
Jacqueline’s first painful attack occurred after a series of infections, and then the disease began following exhaustion and a stroke that occurred in 2014.
Over the years, Jacqueline has managed to find her own way to some form of relief. “I take antidepressants that I plan to stop soon,” she said. “I also took painkillers, but I couldn’t tolerate morphine. Then, after surgery on my back, my doctor prescribed me oxycodone. “It is a very strong opiate. After noticing the effects of this type of drug, I told myself that I had become addicted.”
In contrast, hypnotherapy and meditation helped Jacqueline overcome her pain and regain confidence in her physical abilities. She began participating in monthly meetings for fibromyalgia patients in Morges, under the auspices of the Swiss Fibromyalgia Association.
