Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition causing widespread pain in muscles, joints, and soft tissues, often accompanied by fatigue, emotional changes, and sleep disturbances. Diagnosis involves monitoring symptoms for three months and identifying tender-point areas. Treatment depends on symptom severity and may include medication, physical therapy, counseling, and lifestyle changes. Support groups can offer additional resources. No known steps can prevent fibromyalgia.
Fibrositis, commonly known as fibromyalgia, is a chronic medical condition characterized by persistent, widespread pain affecting muscles, joints, and other soft tissues in the body. Symptoms associated with this condition may occur independently or accompany other musculoskeletal disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment for this condition depends on several factors, including the severity of symptoms, and may involve the use of prescription drugs and physical therapy.
Fibromyalgia is a condition for which there is no known definitive cause. It has been argued that individuals who have experienced physical or emotional trauma may become symptomatic due to a disruption in the brain’s ability to correctly convey and interpret the body’s response to pain. Other theories suggest that sleep disturbances or metabolic changes in one’s musculoskeletal system may contribute to the development of fibrositis.
Symptomatic individuals may experience a variety of generalized signs which may include morning stiffness, persistent fatigue and emotional changes, including anxiety and depression. The most common manifestation of this disorder is the development of persistent, widespread pain that occurs with specific, tender areas, such as joints. Individuals with fibrositis may experience chronic muscle discomfort, body aches, and numbness and tingling that affects the feet and hands. Some may develop additional conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heart palpitations and migraines. Common areas of concentrated discomfort can include the neck, lower back and hips.
Individuals with fibromyalgia often develop sleep disturbances that impair their ability to get restful sleep. Research has suggested that an impaired sleep cycle may prevent symptomatic individuals from experiencing the deeper levels of sleep needed to help rest and restore the body. Those with fibromyalgia who experience sleep disturbances may develop secondary conditions such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Before a fibromyalgia diagnosis can be confirmed, symptoms are usually monitored for at least three months. For diagnostic purposes, there are 18 designated tender-point areas associated with this condition. Individuals who experience persistent tenderness and discomfort in at least 11 of the predetermined areas can be diagnosed with fibromyalgia; those areas include the arms, shoulders, and neck. Imaging and laboratory tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be done to rule out the presence of other conditions, such as Lyme disease, hypothyroidism.
Treatment depends entirely on the severity of the symptoms. Mild cases of fibromyalgia have been shown to be stress-induced and subside shortly after onset. Individuals who experience persistent symptoms of moderate to severe intensity may receive treatment that includes the use of medication and physical therapy, counseling, and educational services. Those experiencing severe symptoms that impair their ability to function may be referred to a pain specialist or clinic for treatment.
Some antidepressant and antiepileptic drugs have been used successfully to relieve symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be recommended to relieve the stiffness and discomfort associated with fibrositis symptoms. Lifestyle and dietary changes may also be suggested to help with symptom management, such as regular low-impact exercise, a balanced diet, and taking nutritional supplements, including fish oil, vitamins, and magnesium.
Considered a common condition, fibromyalgia requires a multifaceted treatment approach focused on symptom management. Symptomatic individuals are often encouraged to seek out support groups that can offer educational materials, regular meetings, and fellowship. There are no known steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing fibrositis.
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