Fibromyalgia
Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes musculoskeletal pain and several other symptoms. It occurs most commonly among people aged between 25 and 35 years.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
- pain that spreads throughout the entire body
- pain is relieved by warmth and exacerbated by cold
- sudden onset of pain during everyday movements
- heightened sensitivity in the neck, back of the head, knee
- stiffness of the muscles, especially in the morning
- increased fatigue, feeling tired even after sleep
- unpleasant skin sensation (numbness, tingling, burning)
- swelling in the joints, like feet, wrists, and knees
- painful muscle cramps and spasms at night
- panic attacks, irritability, mood changes
- pallor (whiteness) of fingers (Raynaud's syndrome)
- lower performance and concentration
- sleep disorders: insomnia or excessive sleepiness
Causes of Fibromyalgia
Researchers have yet to figure out the exact cause of fibromyalgia. The condition isn't passed directly from parents to children, but it tends to run in families. The development of fibromyalgia is often associated with disturbances in the nervous system, low serotonin levels, which cause the transmission of pain impulses within the spinal cord.
Risk Factors for Fibromyalgia
- Gender. This disease predominantly affects women (6:1, female to male ratio).
- Age. Fibromyalgia can start at any age, but the incidence rises with age.
- Stress.
- Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. If you have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
- Obesity and lack of physical activity.
- Hormone imbalances and endocrine abnormalities.
- Low blood flow to the brain. It can provoke the development of symptoms that are characteristic of fibromyalgia.
- If you don’t have any of the above risk factors, it doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot develop fibromyalgia.
The Stages of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia symptoms appear gradually, but the condition can progress rapidly without treatment. If the disease is not treated, it can lead to severe complications. There are three stages of fibromyalgia.
- Stage 1. Patients experience lingering tiredness and fatigue, especially in the legs. Other symptoms include persistent sleepiness throughout the day, loss of work productivity, and weakened immune system. People with fibromyalgia may also have inflammation and swelling in the affected areas, frequent episodes of acute pain in the limbs.
- Stage 2. Pain often appears upon arising in the morning and worsens in the evening. It causes a palpable muscle spasm and a sudden increase in swelling. Patients complain of feeling exhausted, rapid heart rate, and fast breathing.
- Stage 3. The pain syndrome persists at rest and in a state of tension. Even simple exercises become hard to perform. Inflamed tendons and muscles can be palpated distinctly.