What is Fibromyalgia? Learn about its Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain aided by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. It cannot be cured fully. However, it can be treated using some treatment measures.

Fibromyalgia syndrome affects the muscles and soft tissue. It is featured by chronic pain and intense pain in response to excessive pressure.

It affects the normal activities of women with sleepless nights and problems related to memory. The cause of fibromyalgia is often unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetics and some selective environmental factors.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a disorder often characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain aided by fatigue, memory, sleep, and mood issues. 

It is estimated to affect about 2-8% of the population. Females are prone to the cause twice than males. The cause is encountered in different areas and among varied cultures.

Source: Deal Pain

The disease was, however, defined for the first time in 1990 though it occurred with an unknown history in the past.

Lady Gaga Suffering Fibromyalgia

Gaga is one of the many people who suffer from the cause. The Joanne singer disclosed her experience with the illness in her new documentary, Five Foot Two.

The documentary is planned to air on Netflix on 22 September 2017. She suffered great pain as explained during the doctor's visit. 

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Some of the fibromyalgia include:

1. Widespread pain

The pain is characterized by a constant dull ache that lasts at least three months. It is mainly felt on both sides of the body and above and below your waist.

Source: Shakthi Health & Wellness Center

2. Fatigue

Though sleeping for an enough time period, people suffering from the very cause often awaken tired.

Source: Atlas Correction Boise

Sleep is often disturbed by pain, and many of them have other sleep-related disorders, including restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea.

3. Cognitive difficulties

A symptom commonly associated with a 'fibro frog' disrupts the ability to focus and pay attention to important subject matters.

Some other symptoms include:

• Trouble sleeping
• Headaches
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Painful menstrual periods
• Numb hands and feet
• Temperature sensitivity
• Sensitivity to loud noises and bright lights.

How Common is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia affects as many as 5 million Americans ages 18 and older. About 80-90 percent of the victims are women. Men and children, however, also suffer from the very disorder.

It is mainly diagnosed during middle age and may occur in people with certain other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other types of arthritis.

What causes Fibromyalgia?

 The causative agents of fibromyalgia are basically not known. However, as per some research activities, some causes are:

• The family history of fibromyalgia.
• Exposure to traumatic events like car accidents, infections or illnesses, repetitive injuries, and being sent to war.
• Stress-related disorders like chronic fatigue syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression.

Source: WebMD

Fibromyalgia cannot be cured, but there are some possible treatment measures.

Treatment and Management of Fibromyalgia

• Fibromyalgia in kids can be treated with a combination of physiotherapy, exercise, relaxation methods, and education.
• Depression, anxiety, stress, sleep disturbance, and pain relief in many patients should be treated in time.
• Heat treatment and massage can play an important step improving the subjective and objective measures of pain.

Source: Fibromyalgia and Social Security Disability

Some other measures include:

• Treating infections quickly
• Avoid changes in diet
• Exercise
• A moderate change in tasks
• Avoid unnecessary change in life
• Treat changes in mood
• Start medication to respective dose at the lowest possible dose
• Relaxation training

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