What Causes Fibromyalgia, Symptoms, and Treatment
It is important to know what causes fibromyalgia, the symptoms and, treatment. Fibromyalgia or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic disease that makes the sufferer experience pain throughout the body. Fibromyalgia can be experienced by anyone including children. However, the most sufferers are aged between 30 to 50 years and women have a higher risk for this disease than men.
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Fibromyalgia Causes
The cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown but the experts agree that there are some factors that can trigger this condition. Here are the factors that cause fibromyalgia.
- Age. This condition is generally experienced by people aged 30-50 years.
- Gender. Women have a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia than men.
- The abnormal levels in the central nervous system. These changes can cause the central nervous system reactions to become more sensitive to pain signals.
- Hereditary. A person's risk of affecting fibromyalgia may increase if have a family member suffering from the same condition.
- Physical or emotional trauma. The trauma likes injury, surgery, viral infection, or traumatic events.
- Unbalanced chemical compounds in the brain such as serotonin or dopamine.
- Insomnia. Patients with insomnia have the potential to have a higher sensitivity to pain.
- Diseases that associated with joints, muscles, and bones. For example lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
The symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary from one person to another. This difference can be triggered by the level of patients' stress experienced, the number of activities, as well as changes in the weather. However, there is one symptom that is prevalent in all fibromyalgia sufferers is the widespread pain. The following are some of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia.
- Fatigue and waking up exhausted
- Headaches
- Muscle stiffness and spasms
- Disrupted or irregular sleep patterns
- Numbness in the hands and feet
- Sensitivity to cold and heat
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Restless leg syndrome or RLS
- Depression and anxiety
- Cognitive disruption
Fibromyalgia Treatment
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that cannot be cured. The treatment of fibromyalgia is different for each patient. Here are the best ways to alleviate fibromyalgia pain and its other symptom is through safe holistic methods.
- Taking medicines. The medicines are painkillers (paracetamol or tramadol), antidepressants (amitriptyline, fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and duloxetine), and anticonvulsants (gabapentin). If needed, doctors can also provide muscle relaxant drugs, sedatives, or sleeping pills to improve the sleep quality of patients.
- Psychological therapy. For example cognitive behavioral therapy. The counselors can help people to find strategies to deal with stress triggered.
- Physical therapy to relieve pain. For example relaxation techniques as well as light exercise or swimming in warm water.