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Defining and understanding fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia can be a sore spot for those who experience its debilitating pain every day. This chronic condition causes pain, soreness, and tenderness in the muscles, tissues, and joints throughout your body and is accompanied by fatigue, anxiety, and trouble sleeping that wreak havoc on your mind and mood. As a long-term condition, the pain of fibromyalgia can flare up at any time and in any part of the body, so sufferers never know how sore they may feel or how long the aches may last. However, there’s no need to suffer in silence. Get a feel for fibromyalgia and how frequently it occurs, along with its causes, risk factors, and symptoms. Then, discover the most effective treatment options, proving that you don’t have to go to great pains to finally get rid of yours.

The prevalence of pain

Millions of people suffer from fibromyalgia. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), around four million people have learned to live with the condition in the United States alone. Anyone can develop fibromyalgia at any age, including children. The chronic condition doesn’t discriminate, affecting people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. Yet the debilitating disorder is more likely to plague women and people over age 40.

Address the distress of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a pain in the neck…along with the arms, legs, shoulders, hands, feet, joints, and other parts of the body. The condition can flare up at certain times of the day or last around the clock. The pain can worsen with the weather, be aggravated by anxiety, or intensify with stress. It can go beyond straining your muscles to disturbing your mind, mood, and memory.

Cause for concern

Many people realize that fibromyalgia causes widespread physical discomfort and emotional distress, but no one really knows what causes fibromyalgia. The condition continues to be a mystery, but studies have shown that some people may be more sensitive and susceptible to feeling pain than others. Additional research has revealed that there may also be a link to stress, sleep problems, immune issues, endocrine disorders, and biochemical disturbances.

Recognize your risk

Is fibromyalgia in your future? The answer is unknown, but certain factors may raise your risk of developing fibromyalgia at some point in life. The traits and troubles that may make you more susceptible to developing fibromyalgia include:

Gender, with females facing a greater risk
Age, with your risk rising in middle and older age
A family history of fibromyalgia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Lupus
Obesity
Experiencing stressful or traumatic events, which can trigger fibromyalgia

Symptoms of suffering

With fibromyalgia, each person’s experience is different, but one symptom that distinguishes the disorder which everyone shares is widespread, chronic pain. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can flare up and fade away at any time and range from subtle to severe. The most common signs and symptoms of the condition include:

Muscle pain and soreness
Fatigue
Insomnia
Headaches and migraines
Jaw and facial pain
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Anxiety
Memory problems
Difficulty concentrating
Depression
Digestive issues, such as bloating, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Treatments to take the ache away

If you experience any of the pain and problems that occur with fibromyalgia, speak to your CarolinaMD-affiliated doctor right away. Diagnosing the disorder simply requires reviewing your medical history, a physical exam, X-rays, and bloodwork. While there is no known cure for the condition, there are many easy and effective ways to treat flare ups, manage any discomfort, and improve your overall quality of life. Fibromyalgia is typically treated with a combination of the following remedies and therapies, including:

Taking medication, such as pain relievers, anti-depressants, or anti-seizure medicines.
Seeking cognitive behavioral therapy to deal with underlying anxiety or depression.
Learning stress management techniques.
Getting regular exercise and physical activity.
Adopting good sleep habits.
Maintaining a healthy weight.

By getting treatment to manage the misery of the condition, fibromyalgia no longer needs to be such a pain.

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