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.
NSAIDS are a group of drugs that are very effective in treating mild pain. Affected individuals may benefit from drugs such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, diclofenac and naproxen. Most of these drugs are available over-the-counter. Those who fail to respond may try stronger analgesics such as narcotic opioids. Examples of these drugs include pethidine, morphine, codeine and tramadol. Most of the opioids are prescription-only drugs. Tramadol is a common choice but has several side effects such as diarrhoea, withdrawal symptoms and diarrhoea.
A number of antidepressants are also effective. These antidepressants help in increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They include, among others, dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin. Research shows that low levels of neurotransmitters may play a role in the lowering of the threshold for pain. Increasing their amount, therefore, helps reduce the pain. The commonly used antidepressants include amitriptyline, duloxetine and fluoxetine.
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.
There is strong evidence that fibromyalgia has a psychological component. For this reason, psychological treatments should be considered alongside chemical treatment if maximum benefits are to be realised. Depression is a fairly common finding in affected persons. Treatments like cognitive-behaviour therapy have been shown to be quite effective in these patients. The affected persons are able to adopt a more positive attitude which in turn improves response to therapy.
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 should be aware that the condition lasts for a long time. They need to learn to cope with the associated challenges. Visiting a counsellor often helps one to get a different perspective of the situation and may even aid in recovery. Effective fibromyalgia treatment, therefore, has to take into account all the aspects of health including mental physical and social well-being.
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.
NSAIDS are a group of drugs that are very effective in treating mild pain. Affected individuals may benefit from drugs such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, diclofenac and naproxen. Most of these drugs are available over-the-counter. Those who fail to respond may try stronger analgesics such as narcotic opioids. Examples of these drugs include pethidine, morphine, codeine and tramadol. Most of the opioids are prescription-only drugs. Tramadol is a common choice but has several side effects such as diarrhoea, withdrawal symptoms and diarrhoea.
A number of antidepressants are also effective. These antidepressants help in increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They include, among others, dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin. Research shows that low levels of neurotransmitters may play a role in the lowering of the threshold for pain. Increasing their amount, therefore, helps reduce the pain. The commonly used antidepressants include amitriptyline, duloxetine and fluoxetine.
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.
There is strong evidence that fibromyalgia has a psychological component. For this reason, psychological treatments should be considered alongside chemical treatment if maximum benefits are to be realised. Depression is a fairly common finding in affected persons. Treatments like cognitive-behaviour therapy have been shown to be quite effective in these patients. The affected persons are able to adopt a more positive attitude which in turn improves response to therapy.
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 should be aware that the condition lasts for a long time. They need to learn to cope with the associated challenges. Visiting a counsellor often helps one to get a different perspective of the situation and may even aid in recovery. Effective fibromyalgia treatment, therefore, has to take into account all the aspects of health including mental physical and social well-being.
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