What is Fibromyalgia?

 What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a long-term, or chronic, condition. It causes symptoms such as:

● Musculoskeletal pain, or pain in the muscles and bones

● Tenderness

● General fatigue

● Sleep and cognitive disturbances

Around 4 million adults in the United States

Trusted Source, or around 2 percent, have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Most fibromyalgia cases are diagnosed in females. It is common in children also 

Symptoms

The pain feels like a consistent, dull ache

● Fatigue

● Trouble sleeping

● Nonrestorative sleep, or sleeping for long periods of time without feeling rested

● Headaches

● Trouble focusing or paying attention

● Dry eyes

● Rash

● Itching

● Pain or a dull ache in the lower abdomen

● Bladder problems, such as interstitial cystitis

● Depression

● Anxiety

Fibro fog

Fibro fog or brain fog is a term some people use to describe the fuzzy feeling they get. Signs of fibro fog include:

● Memory lapses

● Difficulty concentrating

● Trouble staying alert

Fibromyalgia treatment

Treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and improving quality of life with medications, self-care strategies, and lifestyle changes.

Natural remedies for fibromyalgia include:

● Meditation

● Yoga, which you should approach with caution if you have hypermobility

● Tai chi

● Exercise

● Stress-reduction techniques

● A balanced, nutrient-rich diet

Fibromyalgia causes

Researchers do not know what causes fibromyalgia 

According to the latest research, the cause appears to involve a genetic disposition complemented by one or more triggers (such as infection, trauma, or stress).

Fibromyalgia tender points

● Back of the head

● Tops of the shoulders

● Upper chest

● Outer elbows

● Hips

● Knees

Fibromyalgia pain

Pain is the hallmark symptom of fibromyalgia. You’ll feel it in various muscles and other soft tissues around your body.

Chest pain

When fibromyalgia pain is in your chest, it can feel similar to the pain of a heart attack.

Chest pain in fibromyalgia is centered in the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. The pain may radiate to your shoulders and arms.

Fibromyalgia chest pain may feel:

● Sharp

● Stabbing

● Like a burning sensation

● As if you’re struggling to catch your breath, which is also a symptom of a heart attack

Back pain

Your back is one of the most common places you’ll feel pain. Most people have low back pain at some point in their lives. If your back hurts, it may not be clear whether fibromyalgia is to blame or if it’s another condition such as arthritis or a pulled muscle.

 Stretching and strengthening exercises can help support the muscles and other soft tissues of your back.

Leg pain

You may feel fibromyalgia pain in the muscles and soft tissues of your legs.

Leg pain caused by fibromyalgia can feel similar to the stiffness of arthritis or the soreness of a pulled muscle. The pain can be described as deep, burning, or throbbing.

Sometimes fibromyalgia in the legs feels like numbness or tingling. You may have a creepy-crawly sensation. An uncontrollable urge to move your legs is a sign of restless legs syndrome, which can overlap with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia risk factors

 

● Sex. Most fibromyalgia cases are currently diagnosed in females, but the reason for this disparity is not clear.

● Age. You’re most likely to be diagnosed in middle age, and your risk increases as you get older. Children can develop fibromyalgia too.

● Family history. If you have close family members with fibromyalgia, you may be at greater risk for developing it.

● A history of other conditions. Although fibromyalgia is not a form of arthritis, having rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may increase your risk of also having fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia also affects around 30 percent of people with lupus.

Fibromyalgia diet

 

● Eat fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein.

● Eat more plants than meat.

● Drink plenty of water.

● Reduce the amount of sugar in your diet.

Try to incorporate regular exercise, too, and work toward achieving and maintaining a moderate weight.

Living with fibromyalgia

Your quality of life can be affected when you live with pain, fatigue, and other symptoms on a daily basis. Complicating matters are the misunderstandings many people have about fibromyalgia. Because your symptoms are hard to see, it may be easy for those around you to dismiss your pain as imaginary.

Know that your condition is real. Be persistent in your pursuit of a treatment that works for you.

Before you start to feel better, you may need to try more than one therapy or use a few techniques in combination.

Lean on people who understand what you’re going through, such as your doctor, close friends, or therapist.

Be gentle with yourself. Try not to overdo it. Most importantly, have faith that you can learn to cope with and manage your condition.