The fibromyalgia is a word used to refer to pain in muscles and fibrous tissue (ligaments and tendons), which is characterized by generalized musculoskeletal pain and a painful sensation of pressure at certain points. This pain is similar to that originating in the joints, but it should not be confused with a joint disease.
The fibromyalgia is recognized as a syndrome, Therefore, the rheumatologist will find it in a person when they present alterations that are consistent with those that have previously been indicated by the experts for their corresponding diagnosis..
This is a syndrome that is more common than you might think., and affects between 2% and a 6% of the population, mainly in women. It can present as a single alteration or associated with other diseases..
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Causes of fibromyalgia
The fibromyalgia It is an abnormality in the way pain is perceived., so that some stimuli that really are not are perceived as painful. The cause of this alteration is not known., but it is known that there are many factors involved. Nevertheless, It is considered that any situation of acute or chronic stress, emotional or physical, can be considered a trigger.
The different studies in fibromyalgia have been focused on analyzing whether there are alterations in the muscles or the immune system, psychological abnormalities, hormonal problems or alterations in the mechanisms that perceive pain.
fibromyalgia symptoms
When we talk about fibromyalgia, it must be taken into account that the pain It is one of the most annoying symptoms of this condition.. This pain is diffuse and affects a large part of the body.. Sometimes the pain is generalized, while on other occasions it begins with certain areas such as the lumbar spine, Things you may not know about the spine, el hombro… y a partir de ahí se va extendiendo.
The pain often varies depending on the time of day., changes in the weather, activity level, stress or lack of sleep. in addition, It must be emphasized that in addition to the pain, fibromyalgia has other symptoms, como son el fatigue, anxiety or depression, or sleep disorders.
Symptoms such as poor tolerance to effort are also frequent., swollen feeling in feet and hands, general feeling of stiffness, diffuse tingling affecting the hands, menstrual pain, colon irritable, dry mouth and eyes, jaquecas…
Diagnosis of fibromyalgia
The diagnosis of fibromyalgia tried to be made at the end of the last century, taking into account the symptoms explained by the patient who suffers from it and the findings that the doctor himself finds when carrying out his exploration. Thus, when there are more than 11 painful points in a person it is considered that there is generalized pain, and therefore it is understood that he suffers from fibromyalgia.
Nevertheless, Over the years, new diagnostic criteria have been imposed that are based exclusively on the use of the information provided by the patient by asking two questions: the Generalized Pain Index and the Symptom Severity Scale.
Another alteration that is found in the examination of a person with fibromyalgia is their greater facility for reddening of the skin when pressing with the hand on any part of the body.. This is the consequence of small alterations in the regulation of blood irrigation systems in the skin..
Nevertheless, Currently, there are no objective tests that contribute to knowing the diagnosis.. Analysis and x-rays serve to rule out other diseases that may be associated with fibromyalgia. Imaging tests such as CT or MRI are not needed to determine that a patient suffers from fibromyalgia.
It is very important to establish a firm diagnosis because it saves the patient having to seek diagnosis or treatment, which improves the anxiety that is the fact of feeling bad without really knowing the reasons for it.
fibromyalgia treatment
Once both its causes and the diagnosis of fibromyalgia are known, It is important to know everything related to your treatment. En este sentido conviene decir que fibromyalgia has no cure, so the goal of treatment is to reduce pain and treat the symptoms that accompany it, seeking in any case to improve the quality of life in patients.
It is important to know the nature of the disease as well as the factors that trigger the outbreaks, carrying out the treatment of associated psychological alterations in the event that there have been (depression and anxiety), as well as light physical exercise on a daily basis.
In any case, it is important to establish the best conditions for a restful sleep.. It is advisable to have a bed that is neither excessively soft nor excessively hard and a low pillow. Avoid the intake of stimulating substances and drinks, as well as the noises, extreme lights and temperatures.
For his part, It must be emphasized that analgesics contribute to partially reduce pain, but they should only be taken if indicated by the doctor. What's more, también pueden utilizarse muscle relaxants, which in certain cases should be taken in short batches and some antidepressant drugs that increase serotonin levels and thus improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
there will be more pressure on the lower back, It must be taken into account that fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that occurs in outbreaks and that can be caused by climate changes., overexertion, states of depression or anxiety. Although it has a benign character as it does not produce physical sequelae or influence the survival of the sufferer, The reality is that they have a notable impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from it and it must also be emphasized that it is a problem that is highly variable depending on the person who suffers from it.. In fact, for some it can be limiting.