Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a painful condition that is found mostly in women. The affected people suffer from pain all over the body along with tiredness, lack of sleep, mood swings, memory problems. Fibromyalgia is associated with increased sensitivity. There is enhanced sensitivity to pain, heat and cold, pressure. And often it is believed that fibromyalgia is connected with nervous system.

What are the causes of fibromyalgia?

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known. However, it is linked to emotional stress, habits etc.

Fibromyalgia is found mostly in individuals who are:

• Stressed
• Emotional
• Suffering from Post traumatic stress
• Having spine and brain health problems
• Obese
• Smokes for a longtime

Symptoms and signs of fibromyalgia

• Extreme fatigue or tiredness
• Pain all over the body
• Cognitive and memory problems
• Emotionally vulnerable
• Lack of sleep
• Muscle cramps
• Headache
• Painful menstruation
• Numbness tingling
• Restless leg syndrome
• Sensitivity to extreme cold and heat
• Oversensitive to noise
• Mood swings
• depression, anxiety

Latest research updates about fibromyalgia

Some studies show that the brains of people with fibromyalgia may not process pain in the same way as people not having fibromyalgia. Reduced levels of certain brain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin or norepinephrine, may cause them to be more sensitive to pain and produce a more severe reaction to pain.

How fibromyalgia is diagnosed?

 It is diagnosed clinically based on signs and symptoms. There is no specific test to diagnose fibromyalgia. The disease condition is manifested as vague symptoms overlapping with symptoms of mild to serious other conditions. Therefore, basic investigations are done to exclude any serious underlying conditions if present. If nothing significant can be found out it is diagnosed as fibromyalgia.

Treatment

Usually, symptomatic management is chosen by the conventional medicine. A few drugs are available to manage pain and associated symptoms.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy offers some medicines to relieve pain, fatigue, increased sensitivity instantly, while addressing the causes at mental and physical dimensions at a deeper level. Remedies are selected in an individualized way.

 Yoga

Some types of yoga and mind body relaxation techniques help to relieve the pain, tiredness and hypersensitivity. It also helps to improve mood reducing depression and anxiety.

Various types of pranayama type yoga techniques along with muscle relaxing and strengthening yoga practices, aerobic exercises help to reduce pain as well as emotional stress.

Nutrition & habit modification

In fibromyalgia diet prescribed is anti-inflammatory type including wholesome foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Mediterranean diet is a good choice. Fibromyalgia diet give emphasis to avoiding processed items, sugar, unhealthy fats, and excess gluten/dairy products.

Key ingredients of the diet include leafy greens, berries, fish, nuts, seeds, turmeric, while reducing refined carbs, processed meats, and food additives.

Habit modification

Avoid smoking,excess alcoholism and over thinking. Ensure that sleep is not disrupted . Atleast an eight hours sleep is recommended.

written by dr sanjana p

image courtesy – freepik.