Fibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-AL-ja) is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally and socially.Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. Unlike a disease, which is a medical condition with a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms, a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific identifiable cause.
Fibromyalgia, which has also been referred to as fibromyalgia syndrome, fibromyositis and fibrositis , is characterized by chronic widespread pain, multiple tender points, abnormal pain processing, sleep disturbances, fatigue and often psychological distress. For those with severe symptoms, fibromyalgia can be extremely debilitating and interfere with basic daily activities.
Chronic widespread body pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia. Most people with fibromyalgia also experience moderate to extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, sensitivity to touch, light, and sound, and cognitive difficulties. Many individuals also experience a number of other symptoms and overlapping conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, lupus and arthritis.
Pain....
The pain of fibromyalgia is profound, chronic and widespread. It can migrate to all parts of the body and vary in intensity. FM pain has been described as stabbing and shooting pain and deep muscular aching, throbbing, and twitching. Neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling, and burningare often present and add to the discomfort of the patient. The severity of the pain and stiffness is often worse in the morning. Aggravating factors that affect pain include cold/humid weather, non-restorative sleep, physical and mental fatigue, excessive physical activity, physical inactivity, anxiety and stress.
Fatigue...
many people complain of fatigue; however, the fatigue of FM is much more than being tired after a particularly busy day or after a sleepless night. The fatigue of FM is an all-encompassing exhaustion that can interfere with occupational, personal, social or educational activities. Symptoms include
profound exhaustion and poor stamina
Sleep problems...
Many fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder that prevents them from getting deep, restful, restorative sleep. Medical researchers have documented specific and distinctive abnormalities in the Stage 4 deep sleep of FM patients. During sleep, individuals with FM are constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity, limiting the amount of time they spend in deep sleep.
Other symptoms/overlapping conditions...
Additional symptoms may include: irritable bowel and bladder, headaches and migraines, restless legs syndrome (periodic limb movement disorder), impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision
problems, Raynaud's Syndrome, neurological symptoms, and impaired coordination.
Causes...
Common risk factors include:
(**risk factors are not immediate causes but facilitators)
- Sleep disturbance
- physical injury
- Early childhood trauma
- Repetitive strain injury
- gluten intolerance
- other diseases and disorders
The underlying cause or causes of FM still remain a mystery, Most researchers agree that FM is a disorder of central processing with neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter dysregulation. The FM patient experiences pain amplification due to abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system.
From imbalance of substances in the spinal cord, low blood flow to the brain, abnormalities in some amino acids function to low levels of neurotransmitters.. FM is confusing and is often treated as per severity of the symptoms.
Recent studies show that genetic factors may also predispose individuals to a genetic susceptibility to FM.
For some, the onset of FM is slow; however, in a large percentage of patients the onset is triggered by an illness or injury that causes trauma to the body . These events may act to incite an undetected
physiological problem already present.
Relief...
This is achieved in two combined approaches; medicine and physical exercise therapies.
The medicine part will involve prescribed SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and sometimes something to aid sleep. These will usually stabilize the patient by axing the anxiety, aiding sleep which enables body repair and improve immunity.
The exercises will help the patient's muscles not atrophy (which is a result of long term disuse). FM can knock its victims into a state of physical dormancy. Also, exercise will release extra feel good hormones which improve the patient's quality of life and promote relief.
You can boost your quality of life by incorporating healthy diets. You can also add a regimen of multivitamins, and more holistic lifestyle tips.
**All in all, never pressure the patient into recovery. While encouragement is good, keep it reasonable. Hardly does the patient understand what is going on, and neither does the doctor (they treat it symptomatically and every patient is unique). The stress may make it worse. Take your time.
Live life, live well, enjoy life.
This is Serenity!!
This is Serenity!!
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