Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic, yet common, condition often characterized by widespread pain, tender points, and fatigue. The precise cause of this condition is still unknown. Many experts, however, believe the cause is due to how your body's central nervous system goes about processing pain. There are several treatment options available for fibromyalgia. They include changes to lifestyle, medications, and alternative medical treatments.

Fibromyalgia Causes

What causes fibromyalgia is currently not known. Some researchers think that fibromyalgia is caused by problems in how the CNS (central nervous system) processes internal pain. In addition, there can be certain risk factors that can increase your chances of getting the condition. Some risk factors include: females seem to get it more often than makes. Those who have a family history with this condition, fibromyalgia, seem more likely to get it, too. Also, being exposed to certain traumatic events may be a link to the condition.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

The symptoms of fibromyalgia that are seen most often include: fatigue, pain, as well as multiple tender points. For those with this condition, the is normally widespread. The condition can affect the left or the right side of the patient's body. It has been found both below and above the waist. Some other symptoms found with fibromyalgia include: leg cramps, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

There are two main criteria as established by American College of Rheumatology needed to make a fibromyalgia diagnosis. They are: first, there must be history of pain that is widespread and lasts for three months or longer. Second, there must be the presence of so-called tender points. Doctors will use a variety of blood tests and other lab test to help them determine if you have the condition or not.

Fibromyalgia Treatment

Medications, along with lifestyle changes and alternative medical treatments, are often used in treating fibromyalgia. There are many health professionals who can help you with treating this condition. They include doctors, physical therapy professionals, and those who work on issues of pain and sleep. As for the medications, most often patients are prescribed drugs that fall into these categories: antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and muscle relaxants.

Medications for Fibromyalgia

There are currently three medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for treating fibromyalgia. They are: Cymbalta(duloxetine), Lyrica(pregabalin), and milnacipran hydrochloride (Savella). There are some off-label drugs that are also used to treat various symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Also, there are some experimental drugs that are being tested currently in order to determine if they are safe as well as effective in treating fibromyalgia.

Possible Alternative Treatments

There are several alternative treatments for fibromyalgia. Some examples include therapeutic massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic treatments. In addition, some people will also try certain herbs or supplements to their diet to treat the condition. If using any type of dietary supplement, remember to read the label and learn about its warning and cautions. Make sure the supplement will not interact with your other medicines.

Diet Issues

Over the last few years, scientists have been studying the link between nutrition and fibromyalgia. As of yet, there is no hard data to support the theory that diet will help, although many people with fibromyalgia report feeling better if they consume or avoid certain types of foods. For those with fibromyalgia, a healthy diet can make you feel better, in and of itself. Eating healthy foods can also help prevent other illnesses.

Sleep Issues

Some of those with fibromyalgia experience difficulties sleeping. Lack of sleep can interfere with a person's quality of life and can also make it harder to live pain-free. For chronic sleep problems, you should see a sleep expert. For minor cases, try to maintain a regular cycle of sleep which means going to bed at the same time, also try to relax just before going to bed with some deep breathing exercises and avoid stimulants before bed such as coffee or tea.