What is Fibromyalgia and What Are the Symptoms?

Fibromyalgia, otherwise known as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a disorder that is characterized by chronic feeling of pain all over the body, and heightened response to gentle touch, otherwise known as tactile allodynia. Literally, fibromyalgia is a combination of the Latin ‘fibro’ (fibrous tissues), the Greek ‘myo’ (muscle) and ‘algos’ (pain), which literally means pain in the muscles and the connective tissues. Currently, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia stirs controversy, as many in the medical world still do not recognize it as a formal disease. This is because of the fact that there are no empirical tests that can be employed in order to confirm the diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
However, studies have shown results to prove the reality of the condition. Despite its usual association with diseases of the musculoskeletal or neuropsychiatric areas, research has supported the reality of fibromyalgia with evidence showing that anomalies in the central nervous system (CNS) are capable of affecting brain regions linked to clinical symptoms of the disease.

Telling Signs of the Disease:

The notable symptoms associated with fibromyalgia include musculoskeletal aches, sleeplessness, and severe fatigue. There are other symptoms that involve the more systems in the body, most of which are reported by persons who suffer from the disorder. This includes bladder and bowel movement abnormalities, numbness and tingling sensations, cognitive dysfunction, difficulty swallowing and breathing, and increased sensitivity to touch. Others may suffer from extreme symptoms, which include involuntary muscle twitching and the feeling of burning sensations all over the body.
However, not all individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia will manifest the entire set of symptoms. The variety and extent to which these symptoms are felt differ among those who are afflicted with the disorder.

Causes of the Disease:

To date, the causes of fibromyalgia have yet to be identified. A variety of hypotheses, however, have been offered as possible causes of the disease. The first and most plausible one is genetic predisposition.  Research has shown that there are families where the incidence of fibromyalgia is high. The second hypothesis is that stress induces changes, both metabolic and atrophic, in the hippocampus. These material changes in the brain hasten the development of fibromyalgia. Sleep disturbances, particularly the lack of slow-wave sleep among individuals, may also cause the disease. This is because illnesses or chronic pain, which can result from lack of sleep, are likely to trigger the onset of fibromyalgia.

Incidence of the Disease:

Despite the absence of definitive proof of what triggers the onset of fibromyalgia among individuals, studies of those who suffer from the disorder show that there is a higher incidence of fibromyalgia among women than among men. More importantly, the disease is not limited to developing within a particular age range. While that may be the case, the disease is most common among middle-aged women.

Suffering from other disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, as well as a host of other autoimmune diseases, are also likely to cause the development of fibromyalgia.

Conservative estimates of the occurrence of the disease show that 2% of our population suffers from the disease. Realistically, however, as much as 3-5% of the population suffers from fibromyalgia.

Diagnosis of the Disease:

The absence of formal tests to confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia makes it even more difficult to diagnose. Most clinical tests meant to show possible bodily anomalies often appear normal. Moreover, diagnosis becomes complicated as some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia are very similar to rheumatoid disorders, which include common diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis.

The most objective and widely-accepted criteria used in researching the presence of fibromyalgia was started in 1990 by the Multicenter Criteria Committee of the American College of Rheumatology. Known as ACR 1990, this criteria delineates fibromyalgia from other conditions based on the following standards: (1) history of widespread, chronic pain spanning for longer than 3 months, and, (2) pain in at least 11 of the 18 identified tender points around the body (although patients may experience pain in other areas also). The latter is done with the exertion of four kilograms of force (39 Newtons) on each of the tender points.

Treatment:

Along with the absence of definitive diagnosis, there are also no known cures for fibromyalgia. However, there are medicines and lifestyle recommendations that can help people manage the symptoms of the disorder.

Medicines may include analgesics, specifically non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), designed to help make the pain more manageable. Anti-depressants are also employed to manage pain, as studies have shown some relationship between dysfunctional levels of serotonin triggering the onslaught of chronic pain.

Aerobic exercises and getting enough sleep are lifestyle changes that may contribute in pain management. Patients are also encouraged to undergo behavioral therapy, which have been found to help in alleviating pain.