Rheumatology

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a very common condition affecting about 2-4% global population and most often remained unrecognized or misunderstood. It is more commonly occurs in women than men in their middle age. But sometimes it seems to occur in children, young people and old age people also.

Every year, many people are affected by fibromyalgia and complain about the joints pain. Also, it is very common in India that fibromyalgia patients are unnecessarily taking arthritis medicines. If you are also suffering from this problem, then you can go to fibromyalgia treatment specialist Ludhiana to avoid any complication in future. The basic reason behind this condition to occur is that in normal clinics or laboratories, proper testing facilities are not available to diagnose fibromyalgia. So, you should always make sure to take advice from a specialized practitioner or clinic only.


Symptoms

This disorder is usually characterized by extensive and widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue along with the issues of sleep, restless legs, tension headache, cognitive difficulties and many other associated problems such as depression, Irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ pain and cramping in the lower abdomen.


Causes

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia can be triggered due to surgery, genetic factor, physical trauma, infection or a substantial psychological stress. But in other cases, symptoms can accumulate gradually over time without any triggering event.

As per the recent researches, fibromyalgia is regarded as a chronic condition that exaggerates painful sensations by causing oversensitivity to pain signals in the brain.


Risk Factors and Complications

Women are more often affected with Fibromyalgia than men. If any of your close relatives also have this problem, then you may be more likely to get affected by fibromyalgia. Also, if people suffer from some other disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, then they may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia can hamper your work performance on the job or at home. This condition is usually misunderstood by people that may frustrate them to cause complications of health-related anxiety, depression. Getting proper treatment can help avoid any complications later. You can go to the best clinic for fibromyalgia treatment Ludhiana.


Diagnosis

Initially, a tender point exam was performed to examine 18 specific points on a patient’s by pressing them firmly to know how many of them were painful.

As per newer guidelines, a fibromyalgia diagnosis can be confirmed when a person has been suffering from a widespread pain for more than three months without any underlying disease or infection that is causing the pain.

Various blood tests including Complete blood count (CBC), Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Cyclic citrullinated peptide test (CCP), Rheumatoid factor (RF), and Thyroid function tests can be performed to rule out other disease conditions having similar symptoms.


Treatment and Medications

There is no permanent cure for fibromyalgia, but extensive sorts of medications are available to control its symptoms. Other alternative measures like exercise, relaxation, and stress reduction may also help in fibromyalgia.


Medications

  • Various prescription medications such as Darvocet can be used to deal with the overall pain from fibromyalgia.
  • Antidepressants are helpful in regulating the levels of serotonin to change the mood conditions.
  • Muscle relaxants like Robaxin and Flexeril in relieving pain and stiffness.
  • Recently, an anticonvulsant drug known as Lyrica (pregabalin) is used as an approved treatment of Fibromyalgia.
  • Other Alternative Measures includes Cognitive behavior therapy, relaxation therapies including meditation, yoga, and Tai Chi.