Fibromyalgia: What you Should know About this Mysterious Condition 

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that consists of widespread pain in the muscles and other tissues of the body. There are still many unsolved questions about how this condition works. So far, there are not any specific tests that can be run to diagnose it and what causes it remains a mystery. 

From what is known about fibromyalgia, this condition consists of a misperception of pain in the body, since stimuli that should not cause pain, are perceived as painful. This condition is not deadly, and it does not even harm the tissues or the joints.

The causes of fibromyalgia are not quite clear yet, many patients have developed this disease for no apparent reasons, while in other cases it appears after recognizable factors such as a viral infection, an accident, or even after the appearance of another disease such as arthritis, lupus, and others. Overall, in all cases, stressful situations appear as a common factor that can trigger fibromyalgia.

The severity of the symptoms can vary in every patient according to age, the stage of the disease, and other factors. Other than general muscular and bone pain, some physical symptoms of this condition include body stiffness, a sensation of swelling and tingling around the hands, stomachaches, and headaches. Fibromyalgia patients may also experience high levels of fatigue and tiredness, along with insomnia, difficulty to focus, and other cognitive disruptions.

There is not a specific laboratory test that can be run to help diagnose fibromyalgia. Therefore, it is likely that this condition can be misdiagnosed. To make up for it and give an accurate diagnose, doctors run a physical test and analyze the patient’s medical record to identify certain factors or patterns that have been previously acknowledged in fibromyalgia patients. Here, the alterations in the patient must be identified quickly to offer a diagnose as soon as possible and avoid worsening the patient’s condition caused by the uncertainty of not knowing what could be affecting them. 

How Can you Treat It

For a condition that is hard to diagnose and whose causes remain still uncertain, recommending treatments is also complicated. Consequently, a different treatment should be followed taking into consideration the specific needs of the patient.

Generally, most treatment plans include some of these options:

• Painkillers.
• Sleeping medication. 
• Exercise routines.
• Antidepressants.
• Activities for relaxation. These can include massaging, yoga, and meditation among others.

Since there is not a cure that can completely heal the patient from this condition, every symptom must be treated separately. Overall, treatment options are aimed at reducing the pain, tackling mental health issues, and incorporating a lifestyle that can improve the health of both the body and the mind.