Fibromyalgia is a difficult disease to understand and detect that unfortunately affects many people around the world. As its symptoms resemble those of other diseases, and there are no analytical or specific physical tests (such as X-rays or MRIs) to confirm the diagnosis, fibromyalgia is often not diagnosed or is confused with other ailments.
In the past, some doctors even questioned whether fibromyalgia was a real disease; But fortunately today it is much better understood and many of the stigmas attached to it have been alleviated . Even so, it is still a painful and complicated disease to suffer from. In this article we tell you everything you need to know about it to help you in case you suffer from it, or to raise awareness if someone in your environment has it.
What is fibromyalgia?
Simply put, fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that causes pain throughout the body . According to the Ministry of Health of the Government of Spain, it is believed to be associated with changes in the levels of certain chemicals in the brain that modify the way the brain processes pain messages, which can be felt in various muscles and soft tissues of the body , such as the back and legs, and can range from mild pain to intense and excruciating discomfort that in many cases becomes disabling.
In addition, people living with the disease experience an increased sensitivity to pain in general , and apart from causing pain focused on the areas mentioned, it also causes pain in the muscles and bones (musculoskeletal pain), areas of tenderness, general fatigue and sleep and cognitive disturbances. Fibromyalgia can also affect emotions and energy levels.
Causes
Health professionals and scientific researchers still don’t know what causes fibromyalgia. According to the latest studies, everything points to a genetic disposition (hereditary characteristics) complemented by a trigger, or a set of triggers , such as infection, trauma or stress.
In people with fibromyalgia, the brain and nerves can misinterpret or overreact to normal pain signals. This may be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain or an abnormality in the dorsal root ganglion, a reliable source that affects central (brain) pain sensitization.
Fibromyalgia, more common in women
Approximately 6.3% of the world population suffers from Fibromyalgia, being more frequent in women: according to the World Fibromyalgia Association, it affects 9 women for every man . In Spain, it affects 4 percent of the population in Spain, representing 1,600,000 people, of which 90 percent are middle-aged women.
Historically, fibromyalgia symptoms have generally been more severe in women than in men. Women have more widespread pain, IBS symptoms, and morning fatigue than men . Painful periods are also common.
What are your symptoms?
Fibromyalgia causes what are known as “pain regions,” in which the pain feels like a consistent dull ache, and includes:
- fatigue
- trouble sleeping
- sleeping for long periods of time without feeling rested (non-restful sleep)
- Headaches
- depression
- anxiety
- trouble connecting or paying attention
- pain or a dull ache in the lower abdomen
- dry eyes
- bladder problems, such as interstitial cystitis
Fibro fog
Brain fog, better known as fibro fog, is one of the most common symptoms of people with fibromyalgia and refers to the constant feeling of confusion and heaviness in the head that they have, and that also causes memory lapses and difficulty both to concentrate as well as to be alert, which can affect everyday activities such as driving.
Interestingly, according to a study published in Rheumatology International in 2015, some people find the mental confusion caused by fibromyalgia more bothersome than pain .
Fibromyalgia diagnosis
No laboratory or imaging test can detect fibromyalgia. Your doctor can use these tests to help rule out other possible causes of your chronic pain, but in no case can you test “positive” for fibromyalgia.
In order to detect it, then, what is done is to review if you have had generalized pain for 3 months or more (in this context, “generalized” means that the pain is on both sides of the body and you feel it above and below waist), or if you’ve had pain in 4 of the 5 common fibromyalgia pain areas :
- the back of the head
- the top of the shoulders
- upper chest
- hips
- knees
- outer elbows
After a thorough examination, and if the doctor must conclude that no other condition is causing the pain, the patient is considered to be suffering from fibromyalgia .
Fibromyalgia treatment
It is important to note that there is currently no cure as such for fibromyalgia . Therefore, treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and improving quality of life with medications, self-care strategies, and lifestyle changes.
Medications can ease pain and help you sleep better, while physical therapy, occupational therapy, and exercise improve strength and reduce stress, which can help you feel better, both mentally and physically. In addition, since fibromyalgia involves enormous mental and emotional wear and tear, it is worth going to psychological therapy .
Living with fibromyalgia
The quality of life can be affected when living with pain, fatigue and other symptoms on a daily basis, but apart from the undoubted physical suffering, the worst part is the misunderstanding that is received from the environment: because the symptoms are difficult to see , it is easy for those around the patient to dismiss their pain as something imaginary .
The most important thing at this point is to know that your condition is real and that you are not alone . Be persistent in finding a treatment that works for you, as not all patients work the same, and you may need to try more than one therapy, or use some techniques in combination , before you start to feel better. And above all, arm yourself with patience: although you cannot get rid of it, you can learn to live with fibromyalgia
