Answering the question “what is fibromyalgia?” is not an easy task, despite how unfortunately common the malady is. A musculoskeletal condition, fibromyalgia is characterized by pain and sensitivity in the joints. The second most popular condition behind arthritis, there is more to fibromyalgia than might meet the eye at first glance.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms:
The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia, as mentioned above, are sensitivity and pain in the joints. However, this condition also leads to anxiety and depression, as well as all-encompassing fatigue that can be nearly impossible for the sufferer to fight through. When taken as a whole, these symptoms indicate that someone is suffering from fibromyalgia, rather than a combination of other conditions that could cause the symptoms separately. Fibromyalgia symptoms can also include “cognitive difficulties according to MayoClinic. A symptom commonly referred to as “fibro fog” impairs the ability to focus, pay attention and concentrate on mental tasks. (1)
Tests For Fibromyalgia:
Unlike other disorders and diseases, there is no one test that can be run on someone’s blood to see whether or not they’re suffering from fibromyalgia. The only way to truly figure out if someone has fibromyalgia or not is to undergo a comprehensive physical exam. A summary of all the symptoms and signs, combined with a careful examination by a medical professional is one of the only sure ways that one can be positive they have fibromyalgia and not some other condition or combination of conditions such as Lyme disease, an underactive thyroid, etc.
How To Treat Fibromyalgia:
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but those who have it shouldn’t give up hope. A range of treatment options have shown effectiveness for treating the symptoms of the condition, especially when they’re used together to create a much larger, end result. For instance, physical therapy can help those with mild symptoms to increase their flexibility and strength, which reduces the weakness and fatigue brought on by fibromyalgia. Other treatments include the use of medications to reduce pain and inflammation, along with dietary changes to help reduce the symptoms. While these methods can all show results by themselves, they’re often used together in different amounts to help a given individual cope with the misfortune of fibromyalgia as much as possible. According to Arthritis.org, there are three FDA-approved drugs for use specifically as fibromyalgia treatments, and several used off-label (meaning it is used for but not FDA-approved for a condition). Though these drugs were originally developed for other conditions, they have proven effective for fibromyalgia also. (2)
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The exact cause of this particular malady remains unknown, despite all of the scientific inquiry that’s gone into answering the question. The current scientific consensus is that fibromyalgia can be passed down from one generation to another, but that it can also come around in connection to certain events. Extreme levels of emotional and mental stress, along with physical injury to the body, have been shown to correspond to the development of fibromyalgia.
Some events that have been correlated with the development of this particular condition include; car accidents, time spent in combat zones, depression and extreme loss. While there’s no causal effect that can be pinned down from one individual to another, science is continuing to look more closely at the potential causes and cures for this musculoskeletal condition. However, for the time being, those who are suffering from fibromyalgia must make due with the facts and treatments that have been devised on the limited information gathered.
Sources:
1.) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354780
2.) https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/fibromyalgia/articles/fibromyalgia-treatments.php
