Though not fatal, Fibromyalgia can affect every aspect one’s life. It can severely curtail the recreation and social activity. Medical report shows around 30% of the Fibromyalgia are unable to maintain their job. The patients should know much about the syndromes, symptoms and treatments, so that they can fully participate in the long course of Fibromyalgia treatment.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia is a debilitating chronic syndrome characterized by diffuse or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain, fatigue, and a wide range of other symptoms. People with Fibromyalgia may be genetically predisposed, but it is not contagious. Fibromyalgia syndrome is generally found in females; the male:female ratio of Fibromyalgia is 9:1. Of the general population 3% - 6% in the age group of 20 – 60 are affected by this syndrome. This figure of Fibromyalgia is a medical estimation, many cases go unreported or mistook for weakness, rheumatism or general fatigue. However, the disease is not life-threatening.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

The primary symptom of Fibromyalgia is found in other disorders also. It is widespread and diffuse pain, often including needlelike tingling of the skin, ache in the muscles, weakness in the limbs, and pain in the nerves. Chronic sleep disturbances are also characteristic of Fibromyalgia. It is a condition in which deep sleep is frequently interrupted by bursts of brain activity similar to wakefulness. Fibromyalgia symptoms may also include chronic Paresthesia marked by physical fatigue, irritable bowel, interstitial cystitis, dermatological disorders, headaches, hypoglycemia and myoclonic twitches.

Fibromyalgia can start as a result of some trauma or illness, though there is no strong correlation between any specific trigger and the initiation of Fibromyalgia. Trauma or illness aggravates the mild Fibromyalgia. Besides pains, aches and fatigue there is no physical inflammation that is found in arthritis. Some external factors make the Fibromyalgia symptoms visible. Those are:

• Extreme cold weather

• Hunger, starvation or malnutrition

• Exhaustive physical activity

• Lack of deep sleep

• Increase of stress

• Consumption of alcohol

Fibromyalgia Treatment

Fibromyalgia treatment relies much on the proper case history of the patient, excluding the Fibromyalgia-like diseases like arthritis, endocrine disorders, theumatism, etc. Modern diagnosis of Fibromyalgia considers the following points before confirming Fibromyalgia syndrome.

• Chronic pain lasting more than three months in all four quadrants of the body.

• More pain in the 18 tender points. During diagnosis, four 40 Newtons of force is exerted at each of the 18 points; the patient must feel pain at 11 or more of these points for Fibromyalgia to be confirmed.

Complete cure of Fibromyalgia is unavailable, of course, there are treatment options to reduce the pain, and the treatment includes symptomatic prescription medication and alternative medicine. Experimentally Guaifenesin Protocol is prescribed to patients. It becoming more and popular day by day. To alleviate pain low doses of antidepressants like amitriptyline and trazodone are used to reduce the sleep disturbances associated with Fibromyalgia. Anti-depressants are also prescribed if depression is the major aggravator of the disease.

The drugs used in the treatment of Fibromyalgia include milnacipran, gabapentin, meloxicam and pregabalin. Muscle relaxants such as Cyclobenzaprine and Orphenadrine Citrate are also prescribed in Fibromyalgia.

Along with the Fibromyalgia medication, patients are advised to practice gentle exercises. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients relieve from chronic pain. EEG Biofeedback is gaining popularity in Fibromyalgia treatment.

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About the Author: Kelly Spra is a student of medicine. She has contributed an excellent collection of articles and information about various therapies of fibromyalgia medications.