A Quick Intro Into Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder with no known cures as of to-date. The symptoms mostly associated with this condition are pain and fatigue. However, it can also cause a series of symptoms such as body stiffness, urinary tract problems, gastrointestinal issues, headaches and sleeping difficulties.

These symptoms come and go, intensify or decrease, or moves from one part of the patient’s body to another. Fibromyalgia is not life threatening, but based on the severity of its symptoms, it can be completely debilitating and can create huge barriers and challenges in once life.
Fibromyalgia has officially been recognised as diagnosable disorder by the American College of Rheumatology and the USA National Institute of Health. On the Contrary, Dr. Frederick Wolfe, the researcher who discovered this disorder, has provided that he believes it is not a disease but rather a physical response to stress and depression. In his paper, Frederick describes the condition as a central nervous system disorder triggered by neurobiological disorders, which act to produce cognitive impairment and physiological pain. Despite his detailed description and research on the topic, controversy still stands on the nature and actual causes of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia quick facts

· It affects 3-5% of the general global population

· It has the same chance of occurring in individuals of all ages

· More women than men are diagnosed with fibromyalgia

· Fibromyalgia symptoms are chronic but may fluctuate from day to day

· About 25% of patients are work disabled

· Only 3 drugs are FDA approved for treatment of fibromyalgia treatment

· The ration of female to males prevalence of this disorder stands at 9:1

What it feels like

People with this disorder mostly describe their symptoms to be something like a flu-infection that persists. It leaves one feeling exhausted, fatigued and unable to think or find the right words to explain issues. Most patients says that one of the most disturbing symptom of fibromyalgia is troubled sleeping and waking up achy and stiff. It often feels like you have to push yourself around to get anything done.

The top ten Fibromyalgia symptoms are;

· Pain all over

· Fatigue

· Digestive disorders

· Sleep difficulties

· Headaches/migraines

· Morning stiffness

· Balance problems

· Brain fog

· Muscle knots, cramping, weakness

· Itchy/burning skin

Causes of fibromyalgia

The actual cause of this disorder remains unknown. However, the fast majority of its patients are women and evidence suggests it tends to run in families. It is medically thought to be a condition of the brain and there is wide variability on how it develops in patients, the symptoms that it manifest, and response to treatment. Popular studies suggest that fibromyalgia is stimulated and exacerbated by injury, lack of sufficient sleep, and stress.

Diagnosis of the condition

Diagnosing this condition is one of the most frustrating medical tasks. First, doctors have to rule out possibilities of lupus and sclerosis, which fibromyalgia closely mimics, and then proceed to apply the diagnostic criteria developed by American College of Rheumatology in 1910, for official Fibromyalgia diagnosis. However, accuracy of the test is low and inaccurate diagnosis often occur. Doctors usually repeat the test several times on different occasions before they can clear a patient of this condition.

Fibromyalgia during pregnancy

Fibromyalgia during pregnancy is not well documented or studied. Medical doctors have of late suggested that symptoms of fibromyalgia tend to become more severe during pregnancy. As such, you may be put on a different treatment regime once you are pregnant. Most likely, you will be put out of anti-depressants and pain relievers, and be put on non-medial methods of chronic pain relieve such as massage, rest, yoga and exercise.

The intensifying nature of fibromyalgia symptoms during pregnancy is normally explained by the fact that pregnancy is normally a hard time in a woman’s life. Hormonal imbalances and the general worry that accompany the act of brining a new life into the world is a heavy burden. Unluckily, fibromyalgia symptoms normally increase with stress. As such, it is imperative that pregnant women reduce stress as much as possible. Doctors’ advice patients to use technique such as deep breathing, yoga, concentrative meditation and massage to maintain a sense of well-being, health and optimal stability that works to reduce stress and hence control fibromyalgia pain. Warm baths and rest are also recommended.

Fibromyalgia diet

Although no specific diet is recommended for patients of fibromyalgia, there is a general consensus among the medical fraternity that several foods works well for patients while others don’t. For instance, yeast, aspartame, fatty meats, dairy products, caffeine and gluten if avoided are believed to results to positive impacts on most fibromyalgia patients. The best diet varies from one patient to another, mainly depending on the cause and the symptoms it manifests.

Foods rich in vitamin D and calcium are thought to be useful. Calcium promotes healthy bones and muscle relaxation, while Vitamin D is critical for promoting absorption of calcium. Consumption of foods rich in malic acid and magnesium is recommend for fibromyalgia patients suffering from muscle fatigue. Both of these nutrients helps boost the amount of energy produced by cells. It’s also best for individuals who experience chronic weak or boredom.

Fibromyalgia supplements that doctors recommend

Further, there are several supplements that doctors prescribe to patients of fibromyalgia and which they believe to have positive impacts in helping them cope with the condition. 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is one of them. It helps increase production of a neurotransmitter called serotonin in once brain. This helps block transmission of pain while at the same time giving a feeling of well-being and good mood. In a study conducted at Michigan University, Department of Medical Science, 67% of patients accepted that they experienced a decrease in intensity and frequency of fibromyalgia symptoms after using 5-HTP, and 23 Percent of the patients said they experienced better sleep and decrease in emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

Another commonly used supplement is S-adenosylmethionine, SAMe. It’s also believed to act by regulating neuro-transmitters levels.

Treatment and management

FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) and Healthy Canada have both approved duloxetine and pregabalin for management of fibromyalgia. FDA had also approved milnacipran but European Medicines Agency refused marketing authority.