Fibromyalgia commonly affects the musculoskeletal system. Pain is the predominant symptom but there may be other symptoms that include fatigue, memory, sleep and mood disorders. Patients have a lowered threshold for musculoskeletal pain such that even small stimuli are perceived as being very painful. Triggering factors include infections, trauma and stress.
There are several fibromyalgia treatment options that can be used to improve symptoms.
The exact cause of the condition is yet to be identified. Several risk factors have been found. One of them is genetics. A number of genetic mutations have been found in related individuals with the conditions and this has supported the fact that the condition has a familial component. Infections and emotional trauma are both important triggering factors. Thirdly, gender also appears to be a risk factor with most diagnoses being made among women.
Patients with mild symptoms are usually treated with NSAIDS. Paracetamol, which is available as an over-the-counter drug, helps relive muscle pain. Other NSAIDS that may be used are ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. In the event that the NSAIDS are ineffective, stronger analgesic agents such as opioids are used. These include drugs such as codeine and tramadol. Tramadol is highly effective for pain relief but may lead to side effects such as fatigue, diarrhoea and withdrawal symptoms.
Antidepressants are drugs whose main indication is the treatment of mood disorders. They have been found, however, to have some effect in the treatment of fibromyalgia. By reducing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain, they help reduce the abnormally increased perception to pain. The frequently used antidepressants include amitriptyline, fluoxetine and duloxetine.
Anticonvulsants have a similar effect to anticonvulsants though the mechanism of action is different. Pregabalin is a drug that reduces the amount of glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain. The drug is effective in the treatment of epilepsy, a condition where patients experience recurrent seizures. The effect of this drug is a reduction in pain perception as well as other symptoms. Its main side effects include constipation, nausea, dryness of mouth, weight gain, vomiting, constipation and blurred vision.
Research strongly suggests that there could be a psychological component to fibromyalgia. Depression may worsen the associated symptoms, particularly the pain. For this reason, some practitioners have recommended some psychological treatments to augment pharmacological treatment. Given alongside drugs, cognitive-behaviour therapy helps relieve a number of the symptoms. It also helps patients to identify the precipitating factors.
When seeking treatment for fibromyalgia, the main concern for the affected individual is often the constant pain. It should also be remembered that the other symptoms also need to be treated. These include, among others, fatigue, depression, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis and anxiety. For this reason, patients are advised to seek the help of various specialised medical professionals to sort out these symptoms.
Patients have to live with the condition for a long time. Symptoms often improve with time but they may also worsen. There is a need for psychological counselling of affected individuals to help them cope better with the associated challenges. A major challenge to treatment is the fact there is no known prevention method as yet. Several patients undergoing fibromyalgia treatment report to have benefited from alternative medicine. This is an encouraging development for the affected individuals.
There are several fibromyalgia treatment options that can be used to improve symptoms.
The exact cause of the condition is yet to be identified. Several risk factors have been found. One of them is genetics. A number of genetic mutations have been found in related individuals with the conditions and this has supported the fact that the condition has a familial component. Infections and emotional trauma are both important triggering factors. Thirdly, gender also appears to be a risk factor with most diagnoses being made among women.
Patients with mild symptoms are usually treated with NSAIDS. Paracetamol, which is available as an over-the-counter drug, helps relive muscle pain. Other NSAIDS that may be used are ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. In the event that the NSAIDS are ineffective, stronger analgesic agents such as opioids are used. These include drugs such as codeine and tramadol. Tramadol is highly effective for pain relief but may lead to side effects such as fatigue, diarrhoea and withdrawal symptoms.
Antidepressants are drugs whose main indication is the treatment of mood disorders. They have been found, however, to have some effect in the treatment of fibromyalgia. By reducing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain, they help reduce the abnormally increased perception to pain. The frequently used antidepressants include amitriptyline, fluoxetine and duloxetine.
Anticonvulsants have a similar effect to anticonvulsants though the mechanism of action is different. Pregabalin is a drug that reduces the amount of glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain. The drug is effective in the treatment of epilepsy, a condition where patients experience recurrent seizures. The effect of this drug is a reduction in pain perception as well as other symptoms. Its main side effects include constipation, nausea, dryness of mouth, weight gain, vomiting, constipation and blurred vision.
Research strongly suggests that there could be a psychological component to fibromyalgia. Depression may worsen the associated symptoms, particularly the pain. For this reason, some practitioners have recommended some psychological treatments to augment pharmacological treatment. Given alongside drugs, cognitive-behaviour therapy helps relieve a number of the symptoms. It also helps patients to identify the precipitating factors.
When seeking treatment for fibromyalgia, the main concern for the affected individual is often the constant pain. It should also be remembered that the other symptoms also need to be treated. These include, among others, fatigue, depression, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis and anxiety. For this reason, patients are advised to seek the help of various specialised medical professionals to sort out these symptoms.
Patients have to live with the condition for a long time. Symptoms often improve with time but they may also worsen. There is a need for psychological counselling of affected individuals to help them cope better with the associated challenges. A major challenge to treatment is the fact there is no known prevention method as yet. Several patients undergoing fibromyalgia treatment report to have benefited from alternative medicine. This is an encouraging development for the affected individuals.
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