What Is Fibromyalgia? | HealthInfi

Overview

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and reduced pressure pain threshold (tender points). People with fibromyalgia may also experience fatigue, sleep disturbances, stiffness, deep tenderness, soreness and achiness, increased headaches or facial pain, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and problems multitasking. Patients with fibromyalgia frequently report functional impairment and diminished quality of life.

The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but recent evidence suggests it is associated with abnormalities in the central nervous system processing of pain. Fibromyalgia patients develop an increased response to painful stimuli and experience pain from non-painful stimuli such as touch. This is thought to reflect enhanced pain processing that is characteristic of central pain sensitization.

Patients with fibromyalgia have been found to have elevated levels of substance P in their spinal fluid, a chemical that helps transmit pain signals from the brain. Fibromyalgia patients also have been found to have reduced spinal fluid levels of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and serotohttp that are involved in the pain inhibitory pathways in the central nervous system. Scientists are investigating how the brain and spinal cord process pain and how substance P and other neurotransmitters fit into the process.

Recent studies have found that fibromyalgia runs in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition to the disorder.

Diagnosing fibromyalgia has been controversial because there are no specific laboratory tests to identify the disorder. Until recently, many health care professionals thought fibromyalgia was primarily caused by psychological factors. In recent years, however, health care professionals have come to understand that psychological factors do not necessarily cause fibromyalgia but rather may contribute to an increased risk for disability associated with fibromyalgia. Furthermore, depression andanxiety disorders may share some of the same chemical imbalances that are associated with fibromyalgia. For example, low levels of certain chemicals in the brain, including serotonin and norepinephrine, are linked not only to depression, but also to pain and fatigue.

It is estimated that at least 2 percent of the U.S. adult population has fibromyalgia. This condition occurs more commonly in women of childbearing age (as many as 80 to 90 percent of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women), but children, postmenopausal women, the elderly and men can also be affected. Because diagnosis can be difficult, it may take several years to correctly diagnose. Fortunately, with increased awareness of the disorder, many patients are getting diagnosed earlier than in the past, which may improve long-term outcomes. The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms varies. For some women, pain or other symptoms can be so intense that they interfere with daily activities. For others, symptoms may cause discomfort but are not incapacitating. However, fibromyalgia can be quite disabling. Many people with the condition report that it interferes with their lives at home and work and gets in the way of their personal relationships. Plus, dealing with a disorder that is so often misunderstood can be extremely frustrating.

Treating fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach, encompassing symptom management and lifestyle adaptation. It also requires a team approach with the patient and health care professionals, including physicians, physical therapists and cognitive therapists. Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.

Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.  Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression.

While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, a variety of medications can help control symptoms. Exercise, relaxation and stress-reduction measures also may help.Read More