Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition wherein a patient experiences musculoskeletal pain throughout their body. It is a common condition that affects about 10 million Americans. People who have the disease also suffer from fatigue, trouble sleeping, memory loss, and mood swings. According to medical experts, patients of Fibromyalgia are more sensitive to pain compared to regular individuals.
Although the disease has been around for many years and continually affects many people, the primary cause of Fibromyalgia remains unidentified. However, medical healthcare professionals have listed down symptoms and risk factors to help patients detect the condition quickly and more effectively.
What are its symptoms?
The problem with Fibromyalgia is that some people struggle to detect it early, as its symptoms look like common conditions that most people may experience. Nonetheless, here are the common symptoms of Fibromyalgia:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- Pain below and above the waist
- Difficulty concentrating and memory loss
- Jaw pain or clicking
- Numbness or tingling of hands and feet
- Painful menstrual periods
- Abdominal pain and diarrhea
- Sensitivity to light, noise, and hot or cold temperatures
- Anxiety and depression
If you are experiencing several of these symptoms, consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
What are its common causes?
As previously mentioned, the primary cause of Fibromyalgia remains unidentified. However, health experts have traced its possible causes to various factors, such as:
- Abnormal pain: People become more sensitive to pain when their nervous system fails to process pain signals effectively
- Lower hormone levels: Hormones are responsible for processing pain in your body. With a lack of hormones, your pain sensitivity intensifies
- Genetics: People who have family members that have Fibromyalgia are more likely to have the chronic condition as well
- Emotional or physical trauma and infectious disease: These trigger factors cause the altering of your body’s response to pain
- Sleep disorders: Having an inconsistent sleep pattern affects the brain’s chemical levels
What are its risk factors?
Although Fibromyalgia has not been thoroughly studied yet, research has been able to identify its risk factors by studying diagnosed patients. According to studies, women are more likely to have Fibromyalgia, as they are relatively more sensitive to pain due to menstruation and menopause.
Studies have also found that it is more common in middle-aged adults aged 20 to 50 years old. Those who have a family history of this chronic condition, have depression, and sleep disorders are also more likely to get Fibromyalgia than those who do not.
Patients who suffer from rheumatic diseases, such as lupus and osteoarthritis, are also at risk of Fibromyalgia. Experts also believe that people who are undergoing surgery and those who do not exercise can potentially develop the condition as well.
However, it is important to note that these risk factors don’t mean you that automatically get diagnosed. To ensure your health and proper diagnosis, make doctor consultation a hobby.
Conclusion
Unlike other chronic diseases, Fibromyalgia is not life-threatening. However, it can significantly affect your lifestyle, especially that it impairs your productivity, sleep, and mood. Since its treatment and medication requires long-term processes, it would be best to consult a health professional to help redesign your lifestyle according to your needs.
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