fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia means widespread pain in the muscles and heightened and painful response to pressure, but this syndrome causes many other symptoms. People with fibromyalgia feel pain, tenderness, or both even when there is no injury or inflammation.
Symptoms
Pain all over
Fatigue
Sleep difficulties
Brain fog
Morning stiffness
Muscle knots, cramping, weakness
Digestive disorders
Headaches/migraines
Balance problems
Itchy/burning skin
Causes
There are several theories about the causes of fibromyalgia, from hormonal disturbances to stress to genetics.
Genetic factors may play a role in the development of fibromyalgia
Lifestyle
Stress
Smoking
Obesity
Lack of physical activity
Sleep disturbances
Psychological factors such as major depression.
Itchy/burning skin
Diagnosis
Your doctor will often make a diagnosis after doing a physical exam and discussing your symptoms with you. The reason for this is that a diagnosis to large extent is based on the way you feel.
Complete blood count (CBC): Measures the hemoglobin, red cells, white cells and platelets.
It can also find many common blood disorders–such as anemia–that can cause fatigue.
Your doctor may ask for tests–including kidney and liver tests–that check blood chemistries.
level of cholesterol and other fats in your blood, calcium levels and more.
In addition, your doctor may run thyroid tests to see if your thyroid is overactive or underactive.
After ruling out another serious medical problem, your doctor will consider whether or not your condition meets these fibromyalgia criteria:
Pain has been present for a minimum of three months.
There is no other disease that would be causing these symptoms.
blood test–called FM/a–that identifies markers produced by immune system blood cells.
Treatment
There is no cure for fibromyalgia. Treatments are prescribed to decrease pain, improve muscle and joint function, and help avoid triggers that can worsen the symptoms.
Drugs
Some reduce pain, some relax tense muscles, some help with sleep, and some seek to correct neuro-chemical imbalances. Many people take several drugs to relieve symptoms.
Opioids Anticonvulsants (to prevent seizures)
Muscle Relaxants (to relax body and improve sleep)
Benzodiazepines (relieve anxiety, relax muscles and improve sleep)
Sleep Aids (to promote deeper sleep)
Trigger Point Injections (to relieve severe pain)
Antidepressants
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).