Fibromyalgia is an illness that causes chronic pain in muscle s and ligament s. Fibromyalgia, also known as fibromyalgia syndrome, fibromyositis, fibrositis, and myofibrositis. It is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. Fibromyalgia also causes people to have trouble sleeping and feel very tired all the time. Fibromyalgia tends to occur in women much more often than in men. It is estimated that more than 80 percent of people with fibromyalgia are women between the ages of 30 and 60 years. The term “fibromyalgia” means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Fibromyalgia must be diagnosed through a process of elimination. In other words, before a complaint can be labeled fibromyalgia, it must first be determined that there is not some other cause. Most patients with FMS say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn.

While fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases affecting the muscles, its cause is currently unknown. Symptoms usually arise between the ages of 20-55 years, but the condition also may be diagnosed in childhood. Many other symptoms also occur in people with this disorder. Symptoms may come and go. In general, fibromyalgia is strikes women seven times more often than men, according to a 1998 National Institutes of Health report. Some people with fibromyalgia also experience depression, tension and migraine headaches, irritable bowel and bladder, chronic fatigue syndrome and temperomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction (characterized by pain in the jaw). Therefore, fibromyalgia is different from many other rheumatic conditions. In those diseases, tissue inflammation is the major cause of pain, stiffness and tenderness of the joints, tendons and muscles, and it can lead to joint deformity and damage to the internal organs or muscles.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

The common causes and risk factor’s of Fibromyalgia include the following:

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known.

Disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause rather than just a symptom of fibromyalgia.

Family History: If a parent, sibling, or other relative has fibromyalgia, one is more at risk for developing the condition.

A viral or bacterial infection.

Emotional trauma and stress.

People with insomnia or other sleeping disorders such as restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Some sign and symptoms related to Fibromyalgia are as follows:

Muscle pain and fatigue are the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Poor sleeping.

Frequent urination.

Dry mouth.

Headaches and migraines.

Feeling of pain, burning, aching, and soreness in the body.

Pain in the knees and kneecap area.

Sense of tissues feeling swollen.

Numbness, tingling and feeling of cold in the hands and feet.

Irritable bladder and urinary complaints.

Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Here is list of the methods for treating Fibromyalgia:

Antidepressants known as tricyclics are commonly prescribed for the treatment of fibromyalgia, primarily to reduce sleeplessness and muscle pain.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy and other forms of counseling, including hypnotherapy.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Muscle relaxers such as Flexeril may be used to relax muscle spasms in specific locations without affecting overall muscle function.

Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) may help.

Vitamins , dietary supplements , and herbal products.

Some methods of stress reduction to consider include biofeedback, deep breathing, meditation and massage therapy.



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Fibromyalgia has been commonly referred to as a “stress-related disorder” due to its frequent onset and worsening of symptoms in the context of stressful events. This disease can affect every aspect of a person’s life and is seen in about 2% of the general population, which affects more females than males, with a ratio of 9:1 by ACR criteria.

 Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain like the soft fibrous tissues in the body. Fibromyalgia patients are often sensitive to odours, loud noises, bright lights, and sometimes even the medications they are prescribed.

Fibromyalgia can be managed, but it needs to be managed differently than a standard disease. Fibromyalgia also causes people to have trouble sleeping and feel very tired all the time. Fibromyalgia is especially confusing and an often misunderstood condition. Fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation or damage to the painful areas, but seems to be due to an overactive pain system. It can be very difficult to diagnose.

 Fibromyalgia pain has been described in a variety of ways including: burning, radiating, gnawing, sore, stiff, and aching. Fibromyalgia patients also have a higher incidence of specific sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. Symptoms Symptoms can have a slow onset, and many patients have mild symptoms beginning in childhood, that are often misdiagnosed as growing pains. Symptoms vary, depending on stress level, physical activity, time of day, and the weather. Symptoms can be exacerbated by environmental or emotional stress, poor sleep, trauma, and exposure to dampness or cold, or by a physician who gives the patient the incorrect message that it is “all in the head.

 Other common signs and symptoms include: DepressionNumbness or tingling sensations in the hands and feet (paresthesia) Difficulty concentrating. Mood changes. Chest pain. Dry eyes, skin and mouth. Painful menstrual periods. Dizziness. Anxiety. The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread musculoskeletal pain, severe fatigue, and disturbed sleep. Sometimes fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle twitches and burning sensations. Other symptoms may include: irritable bowel and bladder, headaches and migraines, restless legs syndrome (periodic limb movement disorder), impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems, Raynaud’s Syndrome, neurological symptoms, and impaired coordination.

 One of the most important factors in improving the symptoms of Fibromyalgia is for the patient to recognize the need for lifestyle adaptation. If the condition is not diagnosed and treated early, symptoms can go on indefinitely, or they may disappear for months and then recur. If you have fibromyalgia, many different treatments are available to help you manage your pain and other symptoms.

 One of the main factors that seem to affect outcomes is how quickly treatment begins following the onset of symptoms. Treatment Conventional medical intervention may be only part of a potential treatment program. Alternative treatments, nutrition, relaxation techniques, and exercise play an important role in Fibromyalgia treatment as well. The goal of treatment is to help in the management of pain and other symptoms. Some people find complementary therapy treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, massage, chiropractic or osteopathy ease their pain or fatigue, or help them relax and manage their condition better. Alternative treatments, which focus on pain relief and stress relief, also benefit many fibromyalgia patients.

 If specific tender points are particularly painful, you can use acupressure to help calm them down. Soothing aromatherapy baths and massages can help to ease muscle and joint pain. Herbal Remedies Herbs can be used to help alleviate fibromyalgia by reducing inflammation, stimulating hormones, providing immune system sup. Recent studies have shown that people can get a sustained benefit by participating in an aerobic exercise program. For many years it was thought that fibromyalgia was psychologically based but is now recognised as a medical condition in its own right and research into the condition has increased.

 It is thought that fibromyalgia may be due to a malfunction in the way the central nervous system processes pain signals. Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia are diverse and vary among patients, treatment programs must be individualized. In general, treatment for fibromyalgia is with a combination of medication and self-care. So is there a cure for fibromyalgia? No. Is there ways of providing relief? Yes. If you found this article helpful, than please use the following link to find out for yourself how you can cope with and manage fibromyalgia.



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Fibromyalgia is extremely difficult to diagnose. Diagnosis though becomes easier once the causes of the disease are known, but in the case of fibromyalgia, even the causes are confused. Different researchers have different theories as to what causes this condition.

Fibromyalgia can occur in children. Children are more likely to have generalized pain beyond tender points, and may have chronic problems with burning urination, ear pain without infection, abdominal pain, stomach upsets, diarrhea, itchy skin without allergies, insect bites, or infection, or hypoglycemia before fibromyalgia manifests itself.

Fibromyalgia is a complex phenomenon and medical scientists believe that there are multiple factors responsible for causing it. Studies in the field have suggested that people with the disorder perceive external stimuli at abnormally high intensities, as a consequence of neurological dysfunctions. Recently conducted experiments have revealed that some of the people with fibromyalgia show clear signs of allodynia (hyperactive brain response to otherwise normal stimuli), while others show clear signs of hyperalgesia (abnormally high sensitivity to pain stimuli).

The number one fibromyalgia symptom is chronic pain felt over the entire body. With the pain one might experience tingling of the skin, muscle aches, spasms of the muscles, weakness in the joints, and nerve pain. Sleep loss is also a fibromyalgia symptom. Some researchers believe the sleep loss is related to interrupted sleep patterns. These interruptions come from bursts of brain activity and prevent you from reaching stage four or deep sleep.

Apart from these common symptoms of fibromyalgia, people with the disorder may also experience sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems or urinary problems. People with fibromyalgia often suffer from insomnia or sleep apnea. Even when they get enough sleep, people affected by fibromyalgia may still have a pronounced feeling of fatigue. Many people with fibromyalgia also suffer from paresthesia, experiencing sensations of numbness and tingling in the muscles.

Yoga is a particularly effective form of exercise for those with fibromyalgia, for it provides stretches for stiffness, strength building, aerobic exercise, and tools for relaxation. In fact, the Mayo Clinic includes yoga as one of the best things people with fibromyalgia can do for themselves.

Fibromyalgia usually displays a variety of symptoms including generalized aches and pains, increased sensitivity of the skin, chronic fatigue, weakness or dizziness, muscle stiffness or joint pain and migraine headaches. Symptoms of fibromyalgia vary greatly between individuals but almost all suffer from an associated sleep disorder. Depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness and tingling of the extremities and heightened sensitivity to stimuli may also be present.

Usually, this disorder is characterized by widespread pain. Also, the individual becomes very sensitive to even the lightest touch. However, the degree of the symptoms varies from person to person and from day to day. Sometimes, the pain comes in spasms and flares. Other times, it may show signs of remission. Moreover, the heightened sensitivity to touch could often prove to be very painful.



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Fibromyalgia makes you feel tired and causes muscle pain and “tender points.” Tender points are places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms or legs that hurt when touched. People with fibromyalgia may have other symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, and problems with thinking and memory, sometimes called “fibro fog.”

Fibromyalgia Causes

Stress

Studies have shown that stress is a significant precipitating factor in the development of fibromyalgia, and that PTSD is linked with fibromyalgia. The Amital study found that 49% of PTSD patients fulfilled the criteria for FMS, compared with none of the controls. Stress can alter the function of the HPA axis and change cortisol levels in the body, leading to widespread pain .

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they were pulled or overworked. Sometimes fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle twitches and burning sensations. More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, and it shows up in people of all ages.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating associated with IBS are common in people with fibromyalgia.

Sleep problems

Many fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder that prevents them from getting deep, restful, restorative sleep. Medical researchers have documented specific and distinctive abnormalities in the Stage 4 deep sleep of Fibromyalgia patients. During sleep, individuals with Fibromyalgia are constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity, limiting the amount of time they spend in deep sleep.

Fibromyalgia Treatment

The most important therapy for muscle pain is regular, low-impact exercise. Keeping muscles conditioned and healthy by exercising three times a week decreases the amount of discomfort.

Medication

Antidepressant agents known as tricyclics relieve sleep disorders, reduce muscle pain, and treat depression. The tricyclic drug most commonly prescribed for fibromyalgia is amitriptyline (Elavil®).

Improved fitness through exercise is recommended. Studies have shown that fibromyalgia symptoms can be relieved by aerobic exercise. The best way to begin a fitness program is to start with low impact exercises, like walking and swimming.

Starting slowly helps stretch and mobilize tight, sore muscles. High-impact aerobics and weight lifting could cause increased discomfort. Symptoms may be relieved by gentle stretching and light massage, as well as acupressure, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques.

Xyrem (sodium oxybate): Clinical trials of Xyrem showed that it significantly improved sleep quality and reduced pain in fibromyalgia patients. Xyrem is a central nervous system depressant and is thought to help the patient attain the deeper stage 3 and stage 4 levels of sleep. Marketed by Orphan Medical, Inc., Xyrem is FDA approved for cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone) in patients with narcolepsy. Note: Because of its potential for abuse, Xyrem is a Schedule III federally

Muscle Stretching

A physician may also stretch affected muscles that are causing pain. Stretching involves a technique that helps to relax tense muscles prior to an injection. The muscle is then injected with a local anesthetic such as lidocaine to provide longer-lasting pain relief. The downside is that this procedure is initially painful and injections of local anesthetics are not always effective.



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