Fibromyalgia Specialists

What Is Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a long-term, chronic disorder that causes pain throughout the body and other symptoms that can affect a person’s daily activities and overall quality of life. It is believed that Fibromyalgia amplifies the pain signals released through the brain, intensifying the pain sensations in your body. 

Symptoms may begin after a physical trauma, such as a surgery or infection. Sometimes they present after psychological stress as well. But it is not uncommon for symptoms to gradually appear over time, without a single catalyst event. 

Many people experience tension headaches, TMJ (temporomandibular joint), anxiety, and/or depression. 

There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but medication therapy (in addition to restful sleep and proper diet and exercise) can help you manage the symptoms.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

The exact cause of Fibromyalgia is not currently known, but there are several factors that may play a part.  

When someone has this condition, it is thought that the brain and spinal cord actually changes from continuous nerve stimulation and can lead to higher levels of chemicals that send pain signals to the brain.  

It is also believed that pain receptors start to form a memory of pain and become overly sensitive so that they overreact to pain and even interpret non-pain signals as pain.  

Genetics can potentially be a leading factor behind this, as it has been shown that Fibromyalgia does run in families and some genetic mutations make it more likely for Fibromyalgia to occur. Physical and highly emotional occurrences can also trigger Fibromyalgia. An accident that causes any injuries or extreme stressors have been linked to this condition. 

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

As a neurological health problem, Fibromyalgia is characterized by areas of musculoskeletal pain. This type of pain is usually described as a consistent dull ache and tenderness (like a sensitivity to touch). Chronic fatigue is another major aspect of having Fibromyalgia.  

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia can include: 

• Tender points on the body. Tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs. These points hurt when pressure is put on them. 
• Trouble sleeping 
• Morning stiffness 
• Headaches 
• Painful menstrual periods 
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet 
• Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called “fibro fog”) 
• Digestive issues that can include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 

Those at Risk for Fibromyalgia 

There are known risk factors that are associated with the development of Fibromyalgia. Those risks are: 

• Women are twice as likely to develop fibromyalgia than men. 
• Age can be a contributing factor in those who have Fibromyalgia. While anyone, of any age, can develop this condition it is most commonly diagnosed in middle age. Your chances of getting it also goes up as you get older. 
• Those who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, or other autoimmune diseases, such as Lupus, are also susceptible. 
• Fibromyalgia can be genetic in nature and a person has a higher chance of getting it if a parent or sibling also has it. 
• People with injuries, especially repetitive injuries, that puts stress on joints and the body. 
• Illnesses, such as viral infections, can increase the risk of developing Fibromyalgia. 

How Fibromyalgia Can Affect Your Life 

Since Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness, with no known cure, it can wear a person down over time and have a significant impact on their daily life.  

Fibromyalgia can increase the chances for hospitalization throughout a person’s life and people are twice as likely to be hospitalized than those who do not have Fibromyalgia.  

Major depression is also highly linked to Fibromyalgia, as living with something like chronic pain can easily lead to depressive symptoms in someone. Those dealing with Fibromyalgia are actually three times more likely to end up with major depression. 

A lower quality of life can, unfortunately, be a result of having Fibromyalgia. Pain from Fibromyalgia can prevent people from completing daily activities that may have once been routine and moving around can be more difficult. 

Fibromyalgia can often co-occur with other autoimmune disorders, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Multiple Sclerosis, and symptoms of Fibromyalgia can crossover with some autoimmune disorders. While it is possible to have Fibromyalgia and an autoimmune disorder at the same time you may also be misdiagnosed because the symptoms are so similar. This is why it is important to seek out the proper diagnosis so you can receive the appropriate treatment.  

Way To Improve Your Life

While the effects of Fibromyalgia can seriously impact your life, there are some things you can do on your own, in addition to proper fibromyalgia pain management, to improve the quality of life from what it currently may be.

Sleep

Making sure to get enough sleep every night is a very important step in making your day-to-day a little better. Sleep allows your body to heal and Fibromyalgia often leads to fatigue, so getting the recommended amount of sleep is essential to your health. Get into the habit of creating a routine for quality sleep, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time every day and sleeping in a completely dark room with no TV on. 

Physical Activity 

Exercise and moving your body throughout the day is a good way to help aid in reducing pain that may be related to Fibromyalgia or Arthritis. It is recommended that adults are moderately physically active for at least 150 minutes a week, which can be broken down into 30 minutes of moderate exercise (i.e. walking, swimming, or hiking) five days a week. Stretches, such as doing light yoga poses, having good posture, and relaxation practices (ex. meditation) are also an important part of a regular exercise routine. 

Healthy Lifestyle 

A balanced diet and limiting tobacco products and caffeine are all part of a healthy lifestyle, along with finding activities that bring you joy and keep you mentally and physically engaged. Stress management is another factor in reducing the chronic aspects of Fibromyalgia and stress management can mean saying no and creating boundaries more often, limiting commitments and overexertion, and practicing deep breathing techniques. 

Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia

Our physicians are board-certified and are dedicated to giving you a comprehensive exam that will aid in diagnosing the cause of your symptoms. Using advanced diagnostic techniques, our fibromyalgia doctors will find out the reason for your pain, and then get you on the road to better health right away. Here are a few steps our physicians use when completing their comprehensive exams:

Fibromyalgia Treatment