Fibromyalgia is a painful musculoskeletal disorder that causes mood swings, memory issues, sleep disturbance, and fatigue. Researchers have found that fibromyalgia increases pain sensations by affecting how the brain processes pain stimulants.
According to research led by the National Fibromyalgia Association, approximately 10 million adults in the United States aged 18 years old and above experience symptoms of fibromyalgia and more than 80% of them are women.
What are the initial signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia?
The symptoms of fibromyalgia usually begin after surgery, physical trauma, psychological strain, or infection. In some cases, the symptoms may be acquired over a period of time even without any viable causes. The initial signs of this condition include:
- Fatigue. People who suffer from fibromyalgia usually wake up tired, even when they had many hours of sleep, or rest. Their sleeping time is often disrupted due to pain, which may lead to several sleeping disorders, such as sleep apnea and insomnia.
- Concentration and memory problems. This symptom is also called “fibro fog”, which causes an impairment with focus, and concentration.
- Pain. The pain is often described as a dull ache, which may affect any part of the body.
How does a person get fibromyalgia?
The symptoms of fibromyalgia resemble those of arthritis and joint pain. However, what makes the condition different is that it affects the soft tissue, unlike arthritis which mainly affects the joints. The causes of fibromyalgia are still unknown, however, factors such as physical traumatic injury, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and genes trigger the risk of developing fibromyalgia.
Is fibromyalgia a progressive disease?
This condition is generally not considered as a progressive disease. However, if left untreated it can get worse with time. With proper treatment, a person will be able to successfully reduce the severity of the symptoms and be cured from the disease.
In some cases, the condition may be reversed because of some triggers, such as stress, or an overlapping conditions.
How serious is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is one of the diseases that are not easy to spot. This is because it does not show many visible signs and most of the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, such as arthritis. Like other diseases, if the patient does not receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the condition can lead to serious, long-term effects.
Can I test myself for fibromyalgia?
The diagnosis for fibromyalgia is only done in certified clinics, or hospitals. There is currently no laboratory test to detect fibromyalgia because it is a condition that affects the brain’s processing of pain signals. Most doctors diagnose the condition by distinguishing a group of symptoms.
Further information about Pain Clinic in Gainesville
As a provider of pain management in Gainesville, Advanced Pain Medical Center offers many different advanced pain management treatments. Our many treatment options include, but are not limited to, medical marijuana, PRP Therapy, and Stem-Cell Therapy.
If you have further questions, or would like to know more about our pain management doctor, please contact us and we will gladly assist you.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
