Fibromyalgia commonly affects the musculoskeletal system. Pain is the predominant symptom but there may be other symptoms that include fatigue, memory, sleep and mood disorders. Patients have a lowered threshold for musculoskeletal pain such that even small stimuli are perceived as being very painful. Triggering factors include infections, trauma and stress. There are several fibromyalgia treatment options that can be used to improve symptoms.
The exact cause of the condition remains unknown. There are a number of risk factors, however, that have been identified through research. Genetic factors are believed to play a significant role. The disorder runs in families and a number of genetic mutations have been found in susceptible individuals. Some infections are also thought to trigger the development of the disorder as do physical and emotional traumatic episodes. Gender is also a risk factor as the disorder is more common in women than men.
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.
Several antidepressants have been demonstrated to have a positive effect. Their major mechanism of action is to increase the levels of neurotransmitters in circulation. This is because low levels of neurotransmitters are often associated with altered sensations. The commonly affected neurotransmitters include noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin. Drugs used to restore their levels include duloxetine, fluoxetine and amitriptyline.
Another group of drugs that acts on the brain to relive symptoms includes the anticonvulsants. These drugs lower the amount of neurotransmitters but have a similar clinical effect to that of antidepressants in spite of opposing mechanisms of action. Pregabalin is one of such drugs. It decreases the amount of glutamate and therefore effectively reduces pain perception. Some of its side effects are weight gain, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, dizziness, blurred vision and constipation.
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 remains unknown. There are a number of risk factors, however, that have been identified through research. Genetic factors are believed to play a significant role. The disorder runs in families and a number of genetic mutations have been found in susceptible individuals. Some infections are also thought to trigger the development of the disorder as do physical and emotional traumatic episodes. Gender is also a risk factor as the disorder is more common in women than men.
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.
Several antidepressants have been demonstrated to have a positive effect. Their major mechanism of action is to increase the levels of neurotransmitters in circulation. This is because low levels of neurotransmitters are often associated with altered sensations. The commonly affected neurotransmitters include noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin. Drugs used to restore their levels include duloxetine, fluoxetine and amitriptyline.
Another group of drugs that acts on the brain to relive symptoms includes the anticonvulsants. These drugs lower the amount of neurotransmitters but have a similar clinical effect to that of antidepressants in spite of opposing mechanisms of action. Pregabalin is one of such drugs. It decreases the amount of glutamate and therefore effectively reduces pain perception. Some of its side effects are weight gain, nausea, vomiting, weight gain, dizziness, blurred vision and constipation.
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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