Fibromyalgia Overview and Facts

Overview

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by chronic generalized body pain associated with sleep disturbance, worsening fatigue, joint stiffness, depression and other cognitive disturbances

Symptoms

• Pain- generalized body ache and tender points which increases on pressure(allodynia)
• Numbness and tingling sensation
• Chronic weakness(fatigue)
• Recurrent and prolonged muscle cramps
• Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety and depression
• Cognitive dysfunction- impaired memory, reduced attention span, irritability, impaired multi- task ability
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Bladder disturbance

Precipitation factors

• Emotional stress- anxiety and stress increases the pain
• Whether changes- cold and damp environment increase pain
• Sleeping disturbance and physical activity increases the pain
• Infection, allergy, and physical injury worsens the symptoms of fibromyalgia

Facts

• Fibromyalgia is a condition where in there is generalized body ache of unknown etiology.
• This syndrome is more common in females than males.
• Fibromyalgia is associated with cognitive and behavioral disturbances.
• Fibromyalgia is also associated with rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome.
• There is no definitive investigation for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia
• Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is based on ACR criteria and clinical expertisisation of the treating physician.
• Fibromyalgia may occur as primary condition or may be the result of another disease called secondary condition.
• Fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed and due to overlapping of symptoms of generalized pain with many other pain syndromes the diagnosis is often delayed
• Fibromyalgia patients in course of time suffer from sleep and cognitive disturbance
• Fibromyalgia symptoms worsen with emotions, cold climate and strenuous exercise
•  The treatment for fibromyalgia is multi-modal including pharmacological and non pharmacological measures.