What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic, long-lasting, condition that causes widespread pain, tenderness and increased sensitivity to pain throughout the body. Research has shown that people with fibromyalgia have altered signalling in their neural pathways when transmitting and receiving pain which can contribute to some of the symptoms they experience.
Who does it affect?
It affects around two to eight percent of individuals worldwide and is most commonly diagnosed in young and middle-aged women. Nevertheless, it can affect anyone and the chance of developing it increases with age.
What are the symptoms?
Some of the symptoms include:
- widespread aching/burning/throbbing pain throughout the body or in multiple areas (often head, arms, legs, chest, abdomen, buttocks and back)
- muscle stiffness
- sleep problems and fatigue
- difficulty concentrating, thinking clearly or remembering (fibro-fog)
- headaches
- feeling frustrated, worried or low mood
- sensitivity to noise, odours, light and heat
These are also changeable so can sometimes improve or get worse.
What are the causes?
The exact cause is not clear, but the following factors may be involved:
- genetics
- serious injury, for example after an accident
- an infection, such as Lyme disease or Epstein-Barr virus
- a major operation
- significant emotional trauma
However, there does not necessarily have to be an obvious trigger.
Associated Conditions
Fibromyalgia can be associated with other conditions such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis – pain and swelling caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells in the joints
- osteoarthritis – damage to the joints causing stiffness and pain
- ankylosing spondylitis – swelling and pain in parts of the spine
- temporomandibular disorder – pain in the jaw, ears and temples
- systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Treatments
Some of the treatments can ease the symptoms although they are unlikely to make them completely disappear.
If you think you have fibromyalgia, contact your GP, as your quality of life could improve with treatments such as exercise, medication, physical and talking therapies.
Sources:
What is Fibromyalgia? - Symptoms & Treatment | NIAMS (nih.gov)
Fibromyalgia | Definition, Symptoms, & Complications | Britannica