Fibromyalgia is very often misunderstood – even by those who work in the medical world. Sometimes, it is not even recognized as an actual medical condition. Other times, it is misdiagnosed as arthritis, myofascial pain syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome or even as lupus.
Truth be told, Fibromyalgia is an enigma and it is understandable why not even doctors can put their finger on what this syndrome is in reality. Characterized by widespread pain as the main symptom (but which can manifest itself differently with every single patient) and by a series of other symptoms that can be easily mistaken as belonging to other medical conditions, Fibromyalgia raises many question marks.
Fatigue, malaise, vomiting, bloating, sensitive bladder, sensitivity to light, odors, medicine and foods, swelling, arthritis, depression, anxiety and a long list of other symptoms can arise in Fibromyalgia patients. Sometimes, these symptoms do belong to co-morbid conditions, but other times they appear to be inexplicable.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
This is the first and foremost question related to Fibromyalgia – and the one to which no medical research has been able to find an answer. The causes that lead to Fibromyalgia are very frequently overlapped on the symptoms and even so, nobody knows for sure if they are really the causes or simply risk factors. Here are some of the most important theories on what causes Fibromyalgia:
1- It is apparently quite true that Fibromyalgia runs in the family and that people coming from families with this diagnosis have a much higher chance of developing the same condition. Furthermore, research has been made on the topic and there are some genes that may alter the way in which a person feels pain as well. However, these ideas are not directly connected to Fibromyalgia only, as they can be connected to other similar conditions too.
2- For a long time, Fibromyalgia was diagnosed as a form of depression. The loss of appetite for life, the loss of interest in things that used to interest them and the general bad mood are all very common with patients. Now, depression can be considered a cause, a risk factor or a consequence of Fibromyalgia.
Some say that it is a cause and that it makes the body secrete certain chemicals in fewer quantities than it would be necessary. Others say that it is a risk factor and that people diagnosed with depression are just more prone to develop Fibromyalgia too (but not necessarily). As for those who believe it is a symptom or a consequence of Fibromyalgia, they mainly think that the widespread pain and the incapacity to perform daily activities properly are the ones that cause depression in so many patients.
3- Sleep disorders. Poor sleeping is sometimes considered a cause and other times considered a symptom of Fibromyalgia. When people go for the first idea, they believe that poor sleeping alters the way in which we perceive pain and that the patients enter a loop where pain makes them unable to sleep and lack of sleep emphasizes the pain as well.
What Is the Very Best Treatment for Fibromyalgia?
There is no cure for this syndrome and it cannot be prevented either. The treatment administered to patients suffering from Fibromyalgia relates to their symptoms. Since one patient’s symptoms can differ drastically from the other one’s symptoms, the treatment can be different as well. Following are some types of medication and treatment administered and recommended for people suffering from this syndrome:
1- Pain medication. Sometimes, doctors will prescribe pain medication to patients to help them control their main symptom. However, there should be a lot of attention on how this is done because pain medication can develop addiction and it can make the body become more resistant to it.
2- FDA-approved Fibromyalgia treatment. Although the drugs described under this category have been shown to be effective in treating pain and other Fibromyalgia symptoms, there is still no clear explanation on why it is that they work.
There are 3 drugs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States for treating Fibromyalgia:
- This drug was originally developed to treat the rashes caused by shingles, to treat nerve pain related to diabetes and to treat seizures too. However, it was later on (June 2007) approved to treat Fibromyalgia as well. Lyrica can show side effects such as sleepiness, weight gain, dizziness, problems concentrating and so on.
- This drug was initially created to treat diabetic nerve pain, depression and anxiety. Since in its very nature it is an antidepressant, it can show the same adverse effects: sleepiness, increase in thinking about death, excessive sweating, nausea, and so on.
- This particular drug has been marketed from the very beginning for the treatment of Fibromyalgia. It too can have typically antidepressant side effects such as insomnia, vomiting, constipation, excessive sweating, increased blood pressure and more.
3- Naltrexone. This type of medicine was administered for those who were addicted to alcohol and drugs in order to minimize the withdrawal symptoms they experienced. Recent studies have shown that naltrexone works with the immune function of the body and with the neurotransmitters responsible with pain and feeling good – endorphins.
The same studies show that people who tried this treatment showed improved levels of pain, fatigue and stress. Although it is not officially approved for the treatment of Fibromyalgia, further research in this particular drug will show whether it could be a better way to treat the symptoms shown by this syndrome.
4- Deep tissue laser therapy. This is not a type of medication, but a type of therapy that can help patients ease the pain. One such session can last for about 10 minutes and it can show almost instantaneous results.
5- Physical therapy. Generally speaking, physical therapy can help you alleviate the pain experienced in the muscles, but do make sure you practice it under the supervision of someone who knows very well what they are doing.
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