Fibromialxia: unha enfermidade elusiva

Fibromyalgia is a widely misunderstood and sometimes misdiagnosed chronic condition, commonly characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, concentration issues, and sleep problems.

According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it affects an estimated 10 million people, mainly women, in the United States alone. The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms can vary from one person to the next and may fluctuate even in a single individual, depending on such factors as time of day or the weather. Because it is a chronic condition, in most cases fibromyalgia symptoms never disappear entirely. The good news is that fibromyalgia isn’t progressive or life-threatening, and treatments can help alleviate many symptoms.

Fibromyalgia: The Symptoms

The symptoms of fibromyalgia and their severity vary widely, although pain and fatigue are nearly always present. Major symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

Dor. Some fibromyalgia patients report discomfort in one or more specific areas of their body, while others may experience overall pain in their muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Certain areas, such as the back of the head, upper back and neck, elbows, hips, and knees may be particularly sensitive to touch or pressure and are described clinically as tender points. The degree and type of pain can range from aching, tenderness, and throbbing to sharper shooting and stabbing sensations. Intense burning, numbness, and tingling may also be present.

Fatiga. If you’ve ever been knocked off your feet by a bad case of the flu, you have a general idea of how tired some people with fibromyalgia can feel. Though some fibromyalgia patients experience only mild fatigue, many report feeling completely drained of energy, both physically and mentally, to the point that exhaustion interferes with all daily activities.

Problemas de memoria. Difficulty concentrating and remembering are common cognitive symptoms in people with fibromyalgia.

Trastornos do sono. Research has shown that the deepest stages of sleep in patients with fibromyalgia are constantly interrupted by bursts of brain activity, causing feelings of exhaustion even after a seemingly good night’s rest. Other problems such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and teeth grinding (bruxism) are also common.

Síndrome do intestino irritable (SII). Symptoms of IBS, including diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and bloating, are present in many people with fibromyalgia.

Outros síntomas comúns

• Headaches, migraines, and facial pain
• Depression, anxiety, or mood changes
• Períodos menstruais dolorosos
• Mareo
• Dry mouth, eyes, and skin
• Heightened sensitivity to noise, odors, bright lights, and touch

The following factors can worsen the symptoms of fibromyalgia:

• Changes in weather (too cold or too humid)
• Too much or too little exercise
• Too much or too little rest
• Estrés e ansiedade
• Depresión

Some patients also report that pain and stiffness are worse in the morning.

Causas da fibromialxia

While the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains a mystery, doctors do know that patients with the disorder experience an increased sensation of pain due to a glitch in the central nervous system’s processing of pain information. Studies have shown that people also have certain physiological abnormalities, such as elevated levels of certain�chemicals called nuerotransmitters that help transmit pain signals (thus amplifying, or “turning up,” the signals in the brain’s pain-processing areas).

Nalgúns casos, unha lesión ou trauma, especialmente na columna cervical, ou unha enfermidade bacteriana ou viral, pode preceder ao diagnóstico de fibromialxia. Isto fixo que os investigadores especularan con que as infeccións tamén poden ser desencadeantes.

Fibromyalgia Risk Factors

A number of factors can increase the odds that you may develop this painful condition. These include:

Xénero. Fibromyalgia is more common among women than men.

Idade. Symptoms usually appear during middle age, but can also manifest in children and older adults.

History of rheumatic disease. People who have been diagnosed with a rheumatic disorder � chronic inflammatory conditions � such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are at increased risk of also developing fibromyalgia.

Historia familiar. Having a relative who suffers from the condition puts you at increased risk.

Problemas de sono. Doctors aren’t sure whether sleep disturbances are a cause or a symptom of fibromyalgia � but sleep disorders, including restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea have been cited as possible fibromyalgia triggers.

Dirixido a través de Scoop.it de: www.everydayhealth.com

Fibromyalgia is a condition which causes chronic symptoms of widespread pain. Although it’s been recorded to affect millions of people, it’s still largely misunderstood and often misdiagnosed among the medical field. Referred to as a condition without cure, the symptoms can be managed with proper care.

Para obter máis información, póñase en contacto co Dr. Jimenez ou póñase en contacto connosco 915-850-0900 .