Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. Here are the key points about fibromyalgia:
- Main symptoms:
- Widespread pain throughout the body
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Sleep problems
- Cognitive issues (often called “fibro fog”)
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Other common symptoms:
- Headaches
- Depression or anxiety
- Digestive problems like IBS
- Muscle stiffness
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Cause:
- The exact cause is unknown
- It’s thought to involve abnormal pain processing in the central nervous system
- Genetic factors may play a role
- Can be triggered by physical or emotional stress, infections, or injuries
- Who it affects:
- More common in women than men
- Usually develops between ages 25-55, but can occur at any age
- May run in families
- Diagnosis:
- Based on symptoms and ruling out other conditions
- No specific test to diagnose fibromyalgia
- Treatment:
- No cure, but symptoms can be managed
- Treatment often involves a combination of:
- Medications (for pain, sleep, and mood)
- Exercise and physical therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Stress reduction techniques
- Lifestyle changes
- Outlook:
- Chronic condition requiring long-term management
- Symptoms may fluctuate over time
- With proper treatment, many people can manage symptoms and improve quality of life
Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder that can significantly impact daily life, but with appropriate management strategies, many people are able to effectively control their symptoms.
Citations:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540974/
[2] https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/fibromyalgia
[3] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/fibromyalgia
[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354780
[5] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/
[6] https://medlineplus.gov/fibromyalgia.html
[7] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4832-fibromyalgia
[8] https://www.healthline.com/health/fibromyalgia