3. Fast facts on fibromyalgia:
Here are some key points about fibromyalgia. More detail is in the main
article.
• Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain, fatigue, and other types of
discomfort.
• Symptoms resemble those of arthritis, but fibromyalgia affects the
soft tissue, not the joints.
• The cause is unknown, but risk factors include traumatic
injury, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders, such
as lupus, and genetic factors.
• There is no cure, but medications, exercise, acupuncture, and
behavioral therapy can help relieve symptoms and improve sleep
quality.
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4. Symptoms
• Common symptoms include:
• widespread pain
• jaw pain and stiffness
• pain and tiredness in the face muscles and adjacent fibrous tissues
• stiff joints and muscles in the morning
• headaches
• irregular sleep patterns
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• painful menstrual periods
• tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
• restless leg syndrome (RLS)
• sensitivity to cold or heat
• difficulties with memory and concentration, known as “fibro-fog”
• fatigue
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5. Symptoms
The following are also possible:
• problems with vision
• nausea
• pelvic and urinary problems
• weight gain
• dizziness
• cold or flu-like symptoms
• skin problems
• chest symptoms
• depression and anxiety
• breathing problems
Symptoms can appear at any time during a person’s life, but they are most
commonly reported around the age of 45 years.
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7. Treatment
Treatment may include some or all of the following:
• an active exercise program
• acupuncture
• psychotherapy
• behavior modification therapy
• chiropractic care
• massage
• physical therapy
• low-dose anti-depressants, although these are not a first-line treatment
People with fibromyalgia need to work with their doctor to come up with a
treatment plan that provides the best results.
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8. Drugs
• Drugs may be recommended to treat certain symptoms.
• However, a review has suggested that patients often
stop using these drugs because they are not effective in
relieving pain or because of their adverse effects.
• Patients should tell the doctor about any other
medications they are taking to avoid side-effects and
interactions with other drugs.
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9. Exercise
• A combination of aerobic exercise and resistance
training, or strength training, has been linked to
a reduction in pain Trusted Source, tenderness, stiffness,
and sleep disturbance, in some patients.
• If exercise is helping with symptoms, it is important to
maintain consistency in order to see progress. Working
out with a partner or personal trainer may help to keep
the exercise program active.
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10. Acupuncture
• Some patients have experienced improvements in their
quality of life after starting acupuncture therapy for
fibromyalgia. The number of sessions required will
depend on the symptoms and their severity.
• One study found that 1 in 5 people with fibromyalgia use
acupuncture within 2 years Trusted Source of diagnosis.
The researchers concluded that it may improve pain and
stiffness. However, they call for more studies.
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11. Behavior modification therapy
• Behavior modification therapy is a form
of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
that aims to reduce negative, stress- or
pain-increasing behaviors and improve
positive, mindful behaviors. It includes
learning new coping skills and relaxation
exercises.
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12. Causes
There is a range of likely risk factors, including:
• a stressful, traumatic physical or emotional event, such as a car
accident
• repetitive injuries
• rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
• central nervous system (CNS) problems
• the way our genes regulate how we process painful stimuli
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Fibromyalgia may also be hereditary. Females who have a close
relative with fibromyalgia have a higher risk of experiencing it
themselves.
People with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or spinal arthritis,
known ankylosing spondylitis, have a higher risk of developing
fibromyalgia, as do patients with some other rheumatic diseases.
13. Diagnosis
• It can take some time to confirm a diagnosis of
fibromyalgia because the symptoms resemble
those of other conditions, such
as hypothyroidism. These conditions must first
be ruled out before diagnosing fibromyalgia.
• There are no laboratory tests for the condition,
and this, too, can lead to delayed or missed
diagnosis.
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14. Continue…
The American College of Rheumatology has
established three criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia.
• pain and symptoms over the previous week, out of 19
identified body parts, plus levels of fatigue,
unsatisfactory sleep, or cognitive problems
• symptoms that have been ongoing for at least 3 months
• no presence of another health problem that would
explain the symptoms
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