Fibromyalgia is the excess pain in the musculoskeletal system along with chronic fatigue, memory loss and mood issues. Fibromyalgia can be easily confused with arthritis, specifically Rheumatoid arthritis. Both are related, and a person diagnosed with RA can have fibromyalgia. RA affects one’s joints, but fibromyalgia can affect the entire musculoskeletal system.
It is a syndrome with a set of symptoms, and not a disease interrupting bodily functions. Statistically, it is seen in women nine times more than men. Women aged thirty-five and more are at risk of getting fibromyalgia, though it does affect men and children of all age group. Let us look at the symptoms and possible causes of this ailment.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Simply put, fibromyalgia is intense body pain accompanied by bad fatigue and trouble concentrating. In the beginning, one might brush off these symptoms are tiredness. But fibromyalgia stretches months long. There are several symptoms like sleep disturbance, chronic joint aching, extreme fatigue upon waking, palpitations, and anxiety.
The person will have a hard time concentrating or remembering things, and it is called “fibro-fog”- a cognitive dysfunction affecting many with fibromyalgia. Sleep myoclonus is one early symptom associated with this condition. It is the sudden jerking of muscles that happens to a person during sleep. It is involuntary and not a conscious movement. Although not everyone affected by fibromyalgia will exhibit this symptom.
The most common symptom as informed is the chronic pain and fatigue for more than three months. There are eighteen tender points which will feel sore if affected by fibromyalgia. The tender points, located in the front and back of the body, on the elbows, lower vertebra, the thigh bone, in the middle of the knee joint, lower skull, muscles of neck and back, and muscles of outer and upper buttocks, make the fundamental pain-zones of fibromyalgia.
Causes for Fibromyalgia
The exact reason for its causes is unclear even today. Researchers estimate that there are specific biochemical as well as sudden traumas that lead to the development of this condition. Genetic is also one notable cause. An abnormal blood flow decreases oxygen production leads to energy deficiency. It causes the muscles to break down protein to build more ATP, which results in muscle pain.
Diseases like Rheumatoid arthritis raises the chance of getting this condition. Muscle injury due to car crash, physical abuse, or war has also reported as a link to fibromyalgia. Such events heighten chances of mental health problems like PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder).Lack of sleep due to certain mood disorders like depression and anxiety increase the gravity of this condition.
The medical researchers do not establish the definite cause and treatment for this condition. Though no specific cure, there are several medications to help control the symptoms.