What You Need To Know About The Chronic Condition Fibromyalgia

The chronic condition fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal condition. It is characterized by the hypersensitivity to pain in certain parts of the body, without any associated organic cause. It exhibits a wide spectrum of symptoms including muscle aches, extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances and mood swings.

The chronic condition fibromyalgia was recognized as a disorder in the 1990s. Since then, many people have considered it a general medical condition. In other words, patients suffer from symptoms without a physical cause. The most recent studies indicate that the cause is neurological. More specifically, the chronic condition fibromyalgia results from imbalances in the central nervous system.

Who does the chronic condition fibromyalgia affect?

The chronic condition fibromyalgia affects between 2% and 5% of the population. This condition is more common in countries such as Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Spain. The highest risk group for developing this condition are women. In fact, women are 10 times more likely to be affected by the chronic condition fibromyalgia than men. High-risk groups also include:

• People with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Patients with autoimmune diseases.
• People ranging between 20 and 50 years old.

Main causes of the chronic condition fibromyalgia

The chronic condition fibromyalgia appears to be related to changes in the central nervous system. However, the causative mechanism is completely unknown. Possible causes include neuro-hormonal changes, genetic factors and surrounding factors such as diet or stress.

The main causes are overactive and hypersensitive nociceptive pathways in the central nervous system. In other words, this is central sensitization. This sensitization usually results in repeated, painful stimulation. Unfortunately, this can lead to even more pain.

The Symptoms of the Chronic Condition Fibromyalgia

• Headache.
• Depression.
• allodynia.
• muscle stiffness.
• Sleep problems.

• Hyperalgesia.
• Attacking moves.
• Fatigue and extreme fatigue.
• Increase in sensitivity to touch.
• Non-specific, intense skeletal muscle complaints.
• Changes in hearing (tinnitus) and vision (perceiving light phenomena).

Diseases Associated with the Chronic Condition Fibromyalgia

The condition is more common in patients with rheumatic diseases. This can be, for example, rheumatoid arthritis. It also appears to be related to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition,  fibromyalgia disease poses a risk factor for celiac disease or gluten intolerance.

Associated conditions

Most patients who suffer from this condition have trouble sleeping. Or they just sleep in a restless way, which exacerbates other symptoms. Also, these patients tend to experience daytime sleepiness and painful cramps at night. At the same time, certain mood swings, depression and anxiety attacks are sometimes also consequences of the chronic condition fibromyalgia.

Diagnosis and criteria

There are no concrete or definitive diagnostic criteria for diagnosing the chronic condition fibromyalgia. Normally, the diagnosis comes from a process of elimination. In other words, in order to reach the diagnosis, all other possible conditions must be ruled out as a possibility by the treating physician.

The lack of specific tests for detecting fibromyalgia hinders the diagnosis. Meanwhile, professionals continue to debate whether fibromyalgia is a real condition or a syndrome. Or it could be the result of various symptoms.

To diagnose fibromyalgia, a patient must experience at least 11 of the 18 painful pressure points. These pain points aid in diagnosis because they are most common in patients with this condition. Overall pain lasting at least 3 months is also another diagnostic criterion for the condition.

However, criteria are very sensitive and specific. For example, more than 85% makes it possible to make a different diagnosis of other rheumatoid diseases. It is also important to mention that a large percentage of those affected do not receive a diagnosis due to the difficulties involved in the process.

Therapy

Nutritional therapy and weight loss strategies are one of the most effective treatments available today for treating fibromyalgia. For example , a gluten-free diet has been shown to be effective for reducing symptoms.

In addition, in relation to drug therapies, various types of antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and muscle relaxants can treat fibromyalgia. In addition, there are positive results of transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment. This aims to significantly reduce the pain. And it can also lead to better health.