Healthy routine lessens severe symptoms
A common and chronic condition that affects almost five million Americans, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, fibromyalgia comes with a number of symptoms that sometimes impair daily life functioning.
It is characterized most notably by widespread pain, sometimes described as a dull ache, affecting both sides of the body as well as above and below the waist.
Among the other symptoms of fibromyalgia are fatigue, cognitive difficulties and even depression. Those affected often report sleeping problems as well, sometimes being awoken by the pain and other conditions such as restless leg syndrome. These complications can have a significant impact on one’s quality of life.
Wanda Haynes, family nurse practitioner at CHRISTUS Provident Internal Medicine, shared her knowledge on fibromyalgia and the difficulties that can sometimes arise with the condition.
“If fibromyalgia goes untreated, the chronic pain, difficulty concentrating and fatigue may make you less active,” Haynes said. “It can lead to depression and decreased quality of life.”
Understanding the risks and symptoms of this condition is important in combating it, as the cause remains unknown.
“There is no known cause of fibromyalgia,” she said. “There is usually a triggering event that sets off fibromyalgia. This can sometimes be emotional stress, physical stress, infection, injury or recent surgery. The event causes the body to amplify the pain sensations resulting in symptoms of fibromyalgia.”
According to the NIAMS, there are also some connections with those who experience repetitive injuries or even that it can occur spontaneously.
While the illness affects close to five million Americans, risk factors appear to lean toward sex and family history.
“Fibromyalgia is more common in women between the ages of 20-55 in their childbearing years, but can occur in older people and in men,” Haynes said. “It is not as common in childhood and is more common in people that have family members with fibromyalgia. It occurs in about 2 percent of the population and can be found in all ethnic groups.”
Diagnosing and testing for fibromyalgia comes with its own challenges. Haynes said there is no one true and definite test that can confirm a diagnosis, but that the symptoms presented are the first place to start.
“Patients typically present with chronic, widespread body pain and often have symptoms of fatigue, memory difficulties, and sleep and mood difficulties,” she said.
“Physical examination is often normal, but sometimes patients may have several tender points on examination.
“There are no validated tests that confirm diagnosis and this is part of the difficulty of diagnosing, fibromyalgia,” Haynes continued.
“It is a diagnosis after excluding multiple other medical conditions. Labs and X-rays may be taken to rule out other disorders such as thyroid disorders, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or localized pain syndromes.”
Treatment options are varied, but there is no one cure-all for the disease. While treatment can often help with addressing the symptoms of fibromyalgia, lifestyle changes have proven to be beneficial as well.
“Fibromyalgia can be treated by medical and nonmedical therapies,” Haynes said. “The most important lifestyle changes available are exercise, relaxation, healthy diet and a good sleep routine. Aerobic exercises, Tai Chi, and yoga and meditation have found to be effective.”
Because depression can sometimes result from trying to manage fibromyalgia and the chronic pain experienced, counseling and psychotherapy can also be helpful.
“Cognitive behavioral therapy can also be useful and is a type of therapy focused on understanding how thoughts and behaviors affect pain and other symptoms and can help lessen these symptoms.
“There are a variety of useful medications to help manage fibromyalgia symptoms,” Haynes said.
“A common group of medications called SNRI or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors for example, Cymbalta or Savella help by changing brain chemicals that assist with pain control. Other medications that are useful are tricyclic antidepressants, muscle relaxers and medications that work by blocking the overactive nerve cells for example, Gabapentin or Lyrica.”
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It is important to understand the specific characteristics of fibromyalgia should you or someone you know begin to experience symptoms or have concerns. Seeking medical attention from a healthcare provider is the first step in addressing and treating the complications from the condition.
