1Starting in the early 1800s, physicians have recognized a condition characterized by widespread pain, stiff muscles, profound fatigue and disturbed sleep, which they called “muscular rheumatism”, fibromyositis, or fibrositis. Now known as fibromyalgia, this chronic condition affects up to six percent of the population. The vast majority of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women, but men and children can also have the illness, and it occurs more commonly in families.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by fatigue and widespread musculoskeletal pain that is present above and below the waist especially in “tender points.” Symptoms can also include mental processing problems, for example, problems with short-term memory and concentration, headaches, sleep disorders, heat/cold intolerance, anxiety or emotional numbness, heart problems, including rhythm abnormalities, and marked weight change.
What causes fibromyalgia is not well understood. However, most patients describe a physical trauma, such as a whiplash or neck injury from a car accident, or a viral infection, or emotional trauma at the beginning of their fibromyalgia pain.
Fibromyalgia is considered a syndrome because it is characterized by a group of signs and symptoms. These include:
Pain
Most people diagnosed with fibromyalgia feel pain all over their bodies, above and below the waist and on both sides of the body. Many report that the pain is worse at some times than at others. For example, morning stiffness is common, and the pain may be worse on some days than others. The type of pain varies and may be described as burning, aching, shooting, stabbing or tingling. It may also change locations. Headaches and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, which causes jaw pain, are also common.
Fatigue
The fatigue of fibromyalgia ranges from the feeling of being slightly tired to the exhaustion of a flu-like illness. The fatigue may always be present to some degree, or it may suddenly sweep over a person like a wave, bringing with it a longing, or need, to lie down.
Some describe their fatigue as feeling like there are concrete blocks tied to their arms and legs. Some also report “brain fatigue” – feeling totally drained of mental energy and having difficulty concentrating.
Brain Function Problems
Some people with fibromyalgia experience problems with poor concentration, thinking clearly, short-term memory or multi-tasking.
Sleep Dysfunction
Sleep does not refresh or improve fatigue. Fatigue may be present even after sleeping for 10 to 12 hours.
Problems with Automatic Body Functioning (Autonomic Nervous System)
The autonomic nervous system regulates key functions in our bodies that occur “automatically,” without us thinking about them. This includes, for example, keeping our heart beating, our blood pressure regulated, our stomach and intestines functioning properly and our lungs working. When this system is affected by fibromyalgia, a variety of symptoms can occur as a result, such as light-headedness, dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and sweating, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, gas and bloating. A person may lose or gain weight.
Hormonal and Endocrine Symptoms
Some people with fibromyalgia have trouble maintaining their body temperature and feel cold all the time or feel hot.
A Physical Illness
Fibromyalgia is a physical illness. Research shows that the brains of people with fibromyalgia handle pain differently from those of “normal people” and that much more of their brains are involved with the pain signal. A family history of fibromyalgia may also increase a person’s risk of developing the condition.
Daily Functioning
In some people, the pain can be severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. The severe pain, and problems with mental processing, may result in the individual being unable to sustain employment. Being in constant pain and suffering from fatigue may also strain relationships with family and friends.
The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is based upon the patient history and a physical exam. Although there are no specific laboratory measures for fibromyalgia, blood tests are performed to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. According to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in 1990, people may be diagnosed with fibromyalgia if they have the following:
Widespread musculoskeletal pain in all four quadrants of the body (on both sides of the body, above and below the waist) that has lasted more than three months.
Excess tenderness in at least 11 out of 18 specific sites (“tender points”).
though there is no cure for fibromyalgia, there are things you can do to optimize your quality of life – to improve your energy level and brain functioning, feel more rested, reduce your pain and minimize your other symptoms.
Pace yourself. Rest before and after activities. Alternate between activities that use energy, such as physical exercise and mental concentration, and those that help conserve energy, such as sleep, meditation and relaxation exercises. Listening to your body, moderating your activity level, eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet, taking pain medication during a flare-up, and getting the emotional support you need can all help you to self-manage your symptoms and improve your sense of well-being.
Many people think of self-management as planting SEEDS of health, from which their health slowly grows like a garden. SEEDS stands for Sleep, Exercise (and Pacing), Environment, Diet (and Drugs) and Support.
- https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/care-programs/environmental-health-clinic/fibromyalgia-syndrome/ ↩︎
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