Fibromialgia or fibromyalgia is a disease that be marked byflavor painfulall over the bodyaccompanied by fatigue and sleep disturbances.Melive A healthy lifestyle can help reduce the symptoms experienced by sufferers.
Pain and sleep disturbances from fibromyalgia can interfere with daily activities. As a result, sufferers can experience anxiety disorders and depression.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease and can be experienced by anyone, including children. However, this disease is more common in women and people between the ages of 30-50 years. Until now, the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The main symptom of fibromyalgia is pain in many parts of the body that lasts for at least three months. This pain can be a dull ache, a burning sensation, or a stabbing, with varying severity.
The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms varies from patient to patient. The difference is influenced by activity, the level of stress experienced by the sufferer, and changes in the weather.
Pain in some parts of the body, such as the neck and back, can be more severe than in other parts of the body. This condition also makes the sufferer very sensitive to pain. People with fibromyalgia may even feel pain when touched gently.
In addition to pain, fibromyalgia sufferers may also experience symptoms such as:
- Fatigue that causes the patient to not have the energy to do any activity (malaise)
- Muscle stiffness that gets worse when you stay in one position for too long, for example when you wake up
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping, due to very annoying muscle pain
- Decreased sleep quality so that patients still feel tired when they wake up, even though they have slept for a long time
- Headache, especially if the patient has pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders
- Cognitive disorders, such as difficulty concentrating, remembering things, and slow to speak
There are a number of other symptoms that people with fibromyalgia can experience, but they are less common, including:
- Dizzy
- Menstrual pain
- Stiffness or tingling in the legs
- Often feel hot or cold
Fibromyalgia is often accompanied by other disorders, such as: irritable bowel syndrome, restless legs syndrome, anxiety disorders, and depression.
When to go to the doctor
Immediately see a doctor if you experience muscle pain that lasts at least three months. It is also necessary to see a doctor if the muscle pain gets worse and interferes with daily activities.
Muscle pain can also be a sign of a dangerous condition, when accompanied by the following complaints:
- Fever
- Throw up
- Difficult to swallow
- Unable to move the painful area
- Stiff neck
- Hard to breathe
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience muscle pain accompanied by these complaints.
Causes of Fibromyalgia
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but the condition is thought to be related to the following factors:
- Gene changes (mutations)
- Sleep disturbances.
- Disruption of chemical compounds in the brain.
- Have had an injury, have an infection, have had surgery, or have had a traumatic event.
Fibromyalgia Risk Factors
In addition to a number of factors above, fibromyalgia is known to be more prone to attack women aged 30-50 years, and people who suffer from:
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Disease ankylosing spondylitis
- Jaw joint disorders (temporomandibular disorder)
Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia
There is no specific test that can detect fibromyalgia. To diagnose it, the doctor will ask about the symptoms experienced and whether these symptoms interfere with the patient's activities.
If in accordance with the symptoms of fibromyalgia, the doctor will ensure with a physical examination and supporting examinations first that the symptoms experienced by the patient are not caused by other diseases, for example rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or thyroid disease.
Further checks that can be carried out include:
- Complete blood count
- Thyroid function test
- Rheumatoid factor test
- Cyclic citrullinated peptide test
- Scan
Pengobatan Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia treatment aims to relieve symptoms so as not to interfere with the sufferer's daily activities. The method includes the administration of drugs accompanied by special therapy.
Medications to treat fibromyalgia can help relieve pain and improve sleep. These drugs include:
- Pain relievers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, or tramadol.
- Antiseizure drugs, such as gabapentin and pregabalin.
- Antidepressant drugs, for example amitriptyline and duloxetine.
The above drugs will be combined with therapy, such as:
- Physiotherapy, to increase strength and stamina.
- Occupational therapy, to help patients carry out daily activities.
- Psychotherapy, to strengthen the patient's confidence in dealing with his illness.
For optimal treatment results, patients are also advised to adopt a healthy lifestyle, such as:
- Live a healthy diet, such as eating a balanced diet and limiting caffeine intake.
- Exercising regularly, for example jogging, swimming and cycling.
- Get enough sleep with a good sleep pattern, for example going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, and limiting naps during the day.
- Manage stress well, for example by doing meditation or yoga.
Although there is no specific treatment for fibromyalgia, the above treatment methods can relieve symptoms and help sufferers go about their daily activities.
Fibromyalgia is also difficult to prevent. Living a healthy lifestyle as above is a step you can take to help prevent fibromyalgia.
Complications of Fibromyalgia
Most people with fibromyalgia are known to have depression. The pressure experienced by sufferers is caused by pain and lack of sleep which interferes with daily activities.
To overcome this, patients can consult a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists can perform psychotherapy to help sufferers understand what is going on with their bodies and how to adapt to the condition.
If needed, psychotherapy can be done in groups, along with other fibromyalgia sufferers. Group therapy can help sufferers to understand each other's condition.