Fibromyalgia is a disease that primarily involves the musculoskeletal system. The main symptoms include pain (generalised), sleep disorders and disturbances in mood and memory. The main problem has been identified to be an abnormally lowered pain threshold. Pain stimuli are greatly amplified by the brain. Precipitating factors include surgery, psychological stress, infections and physical trauma. Fibromyalgia treatment seeks to alleviate 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.
Patients with mild symptoms are usually treated with NSAIDS. Paracetamol, which is available as an over-the-counter drug, helps relive muscle pain. Other NSAIDS that may be used are ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. In the event that the NSAIDS are ineffective, stronger analgesic agents such as opioids are used. These include drugs such as codeine and tramadol. Tramadol is highly effective for pain relief but may lead to side effects such as fatigue, diarrhoea and withdrawal symptoms.
A number of antidepressants are also effective. These antidepressants help in increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They include, among others, dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin. Research shows that low levels of neurotransmitters may play a role in the lowering of the threshold for pain. Increasing their amount, therefore, helps reduce the pain. The commonly used antidepressants include amitriptyline, duloxetine and fluoxetine.
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.
Apart from pharmacological drugs, there is a role for psychological intervention. Since most of the affected individuals have also been found to suffer from depression, cognitive-behavioural therapy may be used to relive a number of the associated symptoms. Patients are able to diver their attention from negative thoughts that may precipitate the condition and to remain positive. It is also common for drugs to be administered alongside these treatments.
During treatment, it is important to remember that the other symptoms need to be controlled as well and not just the pain. Most patients struggle with symptoms such as depression, fatigue, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, and sleep disturbance among others. Patients should choose a mode of treatment that treats as many of these symptoms as possible. Consulting with various consultants for each symptom is also a good idea.
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.
Patients with mild symptoms are usually treated with NSAIDS. Paracetamol, which is available as an over-the-counter drug, helps relive muscle pain. Other NSAIDS that may be used are ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. In the event that the NSAIDS are ineffective, stronger analgesic agents such as opioids are used. These include drugs such as codeine and tramadol. Tramadol is highly effective for pain relief but may lead to side effects such as fatigue, diarrhoea and withdrawal symptoms.
A number of antidepressants are also effective. These antidepressants help in increasing the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain. They include, among others, dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin. Research shows that low levels of neurotransmitters may play a role in the lowering of the threshold for pain. Increasing their amount, therefore, helps reduce the pain. The commonly used antidepressants include amitriptyline, duloxetine and fluoxetine.
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.
Apart from pharmacological drugs, there is a role for psychological intervention. Since most of the affected individuals have also been found to suffer from depression, cognitive-behavioural therapy may be used to relive a number of the associated symptoms. Patients are able to diver their attention from negative thoughts that may precipitate the condition and to remain positive. It is also common for drugs to be administered alongside these treatments.
During treatment, it is important to remember that the other symptoms need to be controlled as well and not just the pain. Most patients struggle with symptoms such as depression, fatigue, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, and sleep disturbance among others. Patients should choose a mode of treatment that treats as many of these symptoms as possible. Consulting with various consultants for each symptom is also a good idea.
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.
About the Author:
You can visit the website nopainohio.com for more helpful information about The Fibromyalgia Treatment Options Available
Fibromyalgia is a common neurologic health problem that causes widespread pain and tenderness (sensitivity to touch). But it can be cured with this amazing consultant for fibromyalgia treatment.
ReplyDelete