What is Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is often defined as chronic fatigue syndrome with a rheumatological component, fibromyalgia is a polymorphic disease that affects women in particular. In the book fibromyalgia, the authors postulate that it is a consequence of an excess of chronic stress.

These symptoms result in decreased ability to perform activities of daily living. This repercussion is variable from one person to another and can evolve over time.

The number of people with fibromyalgia is not known precisely. According to some estimates, fibromyalgia affects 2% of the european population. Severe forms are much less common.

Globally, western countries are the most affected. The evolution of fibromyalgia is marked by the chronicity and the fixity of the symptoms. 

The disease can progress for years with a permanent painful background interspersed with flare-ups. In general, the disease will improve with age and decrease to around sixty.

The pain will often persist unchanged, without aggravation. Likewise, sleep disorders remain present without notable increase. Fatigue is one of the most constant signs during the course of the disease.

Having a professional activity is a good thing. Studies have shown that people with fibromyalgia who continue to work have less pain and better joint function than those who do not work.

Fibromyalgia is often responsible for significant functional discomfort, but it never leads to severe disability. People are often afraid of being in a wheelchair, but it never happens. The vital prognosis is also never engaged by this disease

Causes

The causes of fibromyalgia are for the moment unknown. Several hypotheses have however been put forward by health professionals: many cases are triggered after a violent emotional shock, a significant trauma, or a viral illness, so much so that specialists wonder about the impact of these events on the appearance of the disease. The combination of pain with sleep disturbances and depression has suggested the possibility of neurotransmitter deficiency, especially serotonin.

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are substances present in minute quantities in the nervous system. They are involved in functions such as sleep, mood and pain but also in various sensory, motor and cognitive functions. These disturbances are probably at the origin of the importance of the pains felt when one does not find any lesion of the organs or tissues, nor any biochemical disturbance which can provoke them.

Serotonin

Serotonin is a substance produced by neurons with a “pain relieving” action. It is involved in the regulation of sleep and mood. Its role has been highlighted in certain psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression in particular) and in migraine. Several studies have shown a decrease in its blood level of fibromyalgia individuals, without it necessarily associated with depression, while we can note an increase in the substance p, neuromediator pain.

In the case of fibromyalgia, despite the maintenance of a hormonal stress response, there is sometimes a disturbance of the secretion of hormones (corticoids) by the adrenal glands (glands located above the kidneys), as well as a decrease in growth hormone levels. This can be the cause of fatigue and low tolerance to effort. These abnormalities may be cause or consequence of the disorder.

Diseases associated with fibromyalgia

A fibromyalgia sufferer often suffers from other health problems. The following diseases may be associated with fibromyalgia syndrome:

  • Psychological disorders such as severe anxiety disorders, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder (ocd), depressive episodes, personality disorders;
  • Irritable bowel syndrome;
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome;
  • Restless leg syndrome;
  • Sleep apnea;
  • Gougerot-sjögren syndrome, responsible for dry mouth, dry eyes and genital mucosa.

Treatment for fibromyalgia?

The origin of pain in fibromyalgia is not known. Therefore, there does not exist, at present, treatment that can cure the disease permanently. The treatment is basically to relieve the symptoms that vary a lot from a person to the other. 

t involves physical rehabilitation and various drug treatments. Psychological care and support are also very important.

Physical rehabilitation or reactivation, which must be particularly emphasized consists of a progressive training with exercise by fractional physical exercises and “soft” (medium intensity) where the notion of “pleasure” must remain present and the regularity of putting.

I An aerobic exercise program under surveillance would be beneficial for improvement of physical capacity and symptoms (reduced pain and pressure point sensitivity). Stretching (postural stretching), water aerobics and swimming in the pool (minimum 28 °) can often provide real relief.

More simply and in a way accessible to each fibromyalgia person, walking daily is advised. Of progressive duration, as far as the patient’s condition allows without going to painful fatigue, it can be beneficial.

Medication:

Of the pain relievers (pain relievers) used in fibromyalgia, tramadol hydrochloride is the only one that has shown pain relief. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not very effective, and corticosteroids are contraindicated. The

Morphine derivatives are highly controversial because they have adverse effects. In all cases, it should be known that the pain response to different drugs is variable from one patient to another. The doctor may need to modify the treatment depending on this answer. Anticonvulsants (gabapentin for example) are very often prescribed to decrease pain in fibromyalgiq patients.