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Fibromyalgia pain causes fatigue and memory issues. Fibromyalgia has no known cause and no cure, but a doctor can help you manage your symptoms. Living with daily pain, fatigue, and other fibromyalgia symptoms can lower your quality of life. You get help managing this chronic condition despite misunderstandings.

What is a Fibromyalgia? 

Fibromyalgia pain is chronic and it can cause symptoms like muscle and bone pain, as well as tenderness, general fatigue, sleep and cognition issues. Healthcare professionals may struggle to understand this condition. Healthcare professionals once doubted fibromyalgia's existence. Around 2 percent of US adults, 4 million, have fibromyalgia. Women are diagnosed with fibromyalgia most often. Fibromyalgia can affect children, but most are diagnosed in middle age. Fibromyalgia pain points are back of head, shoulders, elbow, knees, upper chest, lower back and hips. 

FMS Symptoms

The pain is dull and constant. In the 2016 revision of the fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria, musculoskeletal pain in four of five regions is considered a diagnosis.

Current diagnostic criteria call fibromyalgia pain multisite. In contrast, the 1990 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria defined chronic widespread pain.

The diagnostic process now emphasizes pain severity and musculoskeletal pain areas. Fibromyalgia was previously diagnosed by pain duration.

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Fatigue

• Sleeping difficulties, nonrestorative sleep, or prolonged periods without feeling rested.

• Headaches

• Difficulty paying attention

Possible symptoms include: 

• Dry eyes, rash, itching, lower abdominal pain, bladder issues like interstitial cystitis, and depression.

• Anxiety

• Physical and emotional health can be affected by the condition. 

Causes of Fibromyalgia Pain

According to recent research, a genetic disposition and one or more triggers (such as infection, trauma, or stress) may cause it. One theory is that the brain lowers pain threshold. Previously painless sensations become painful over time. Other theories include the brain and nerves misinterpreting or overreacting to normal pain signals. They become sensitive and cause exaggerated pain. An abnormal dorsal root ganglion, a spine-based cluster of neurons, or a brain chemical imbalance may cause this. Following are the few common causes of Fibromyalgia pain: 

• Genes: Family history is common with fibromyalgia. You're more likely to get this condition if a relative does. Researchers believe gene mutations may contribute. They found several genes that affect nerve cell chemical pain signals.

• Infections: A past illness may cause or worsen fibromyalgia. Infections linked to fibromyalgia include flu and pneumonia. The Epstein-Barr virus can cause gastrointestinal infections like Salmonella and Shigella types.

• Trauma: Fibromyalgia can result from severe physical or emotional trauma. The condition is linked to PTSD. Stress, like trauma, can have long-term effects on the body. Stress may cause hormonal changes that cause fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia Risk Factors

Some health conditions and other issues are risk factors for fibromyalgia, but experts don't know what causes it. Risk factors for fibromyalgia:

• Age: Over-40s are more likely to get fibromyalgia. It can affect anyone, including kids.

• Gender: Females born are twice as likely to have fibromyalgia.

• Chronic diseases: People with osteoarthritis, depression, anxiety, chronic back pain, and IBS are more likely to develop fibromyalgia pain. Infections can cause fibromyalgia, especially if severe.

• Stress: Stress can harm your health but cannot be measured.

• Injuries: Fibromyalgia can result from physical, emotional, or serious injuries.

Fibromyalgia's Four Stages

Dynamic fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia symptoms don't occur in a specific order, so there's no guide. Your best pain specialist in Dallas may treat fibromyalgia in stages based on your symptoms. These stages aren't a treatment sequence. The effects of fibromyalgia on each person are unique. Although loose categories, the stages can help you determine which treatments you need to manage your symptoms. Fibromyalgia treatment has four stages:

• Treatments without medication: Your doctor or physical therapist of pain management fort worth will give you stretches and exercises to relax and strengthen your muscles and joints.

• Psychological therapies: Mental health professionals and pain doctors in Dallas will help you maintain a positive self-image. They'll suggest mental and emotional health symptom management.

• Pharmaceutical treatment: Medicating symptoms.

• Daily functioning: If you have severe symptoms that make it hard to do your daily routine, an occupational therapist can help.

Fibromyalgia Treatments

Fibromyalgia treatments recommended by dallas pain management include medication and self-care. The goal is to reduce symptoms and improve health. No single treatment works for all symptoms, but multiple approaches can help.

Medications

Medication can reduce fibromyalgia pain and improve sleep. Some popular options are:

• Pain killers: Over-the-counter fibromyalgia pain meds like Tylenol, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium may help. Opioids can cause side effects, dependence, and pain worsening.

• Antidepressants: Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella) may reduce fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. Your doctor of pain relief center Plano may prescribe amitriptyline or cyclobenzaprine to help you sleep.

• Medications for seizures:  Epilepsy medications reduce some pain. Gabapentin (Neurontin) can reduce fibromyalgia symptoms, while pregabalin (Lyrica) was the first FDA-approved treatment.

Other Treatments 

Various therapies can alleviate the impact of fibromyalgia on your body and life. Some examples are:

• PT: Physical therapists of Hillsboro clinic teach strength, flexibility, and stamina exercises. Water exercises may be helpful.

• Occupational therapy: An occupational therapist of a pain clinic in Mesquite can help you reduce stress by changing your work environment or task sequence.

• Counseling: Talking to a counselor can boost your confidence and teach you stress-management skills for fibromyalgia pain relief. 

Conclusion