Fibromyalgia is a condition that affects the musculoskeletal system. It is characterised by generalised pain, fatigue and disturbances in sleep, mood and memory. The main disorder is lowered threshold for pain such that small painful stimuli are greatly amplified by the brain. The symptoms are often precipitated by factors such as physical trauma, infections, psychological stress or surgery. Fibromyalgia treatment aims at alleviating these 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.
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.
While pain is the main condition, there are many other associated symptoms that have to be treated. Commonly associated symptoms include endometriosis, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome among others. Each of these symptoms may require the consult of a specialist who will recommend the most effective form of management.
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.
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.
While pain is the main condition, there are many other associated symptoms that have to be treated. Commonly associated symptoms include endometriosis, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome among others. Each of these symptoms may require the consult of a specialist who will recommend the most effective form of management.
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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