Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is the most common arthritis-related diseases after osteoarthritis, yet it is often misdiagnosed and completely misunderstood.  It is a rheumatic condition and its characteristics include muscle and joint pain.  Fibromyalgia is considered a syndrome; which is a set of symptoms running or existing together.  While existing together they imply the presence a specific disease or a chance of developing the disease. 

With this disease, anxiety and/or depression, decreased pain threshold or tender points, incapacitating fatigue, and widespread pain.  FMS causes you to ache and hurt all over.  Tender spots on the body may be painful to touch.  Most symptoms include: abdominal pain, anxiety and depression, chronic headaches, difficulty maintaining sleep or light sleep, dryness in the mouth, nose and ears, fatigue upon arising, hypersensitivity to cold and/or heat.  Other symptoms may include: being unable to concentrate, incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness or tingling in the fingers and feet, painful menstrual cramps, and stiffness. 

The cause of FMS still remains a mystery.  Most researchers say that fibromyalgia is a disorder of central processing with neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter dysregulation.  A patient with FM experiences pain amplification caused by abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system (CNS).  Most of FM patients’ onsets have been caused by an illness or injury that causes trauma to the body. 

In treating FM, getting all the information concerning this disease is very helpful.  Medications are sometimes prescribed to treat deep muscle pain, anxiety, and depression.  Cymbalta helps in managing the unique symptoms, physical therapy helps ease the pain and also teach management skills, and medical marijuana can help with pain.

In the prognosis of FM, it can be mild and disabling.  The emotional repercussions can be substantial.  Patients have trouble performing daily routine activities, suffering losses of jobs, homes, assets, even family members and friends caused by fatigue.

There is no way to prevent fibromyalgia.  Monitor you pain level.  A key in preventing this disease is to make adjustments- change positions, take a break, or give your back, arms, and legs support.  The most important thing is to improve your physical conditioning and endurance.  Find ways to remove all types of stress and maintain a regular schedule.