Fibromyalgia: Symptoms and Treatment

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome or a set of syndromes which do not have a known cause. It is characterized by pain in the soft tissues and muscles on both sides of the body and below and above the waist. When a person suffers from fibromyalgia, the nervous system will not be in a position to control what it feels. Hence people suffering from this condition will feel tenderness or pain even when there is absence of inflammation or injury.

Many things can be done to control Fibromyalgia. This syndrome does not cause harm to the joints, organs or muscles. Fibromyalgia in its uncontrolled form can lead to sleep disturbances and depression. These symptoms can impact your normal day today functioning to a great extent. You can take part in normal activities by undergoing treatment. In case of severe symptoms, you may have to adjust work duties and lifestyle.

Causes of Fibromyalgia
There is not enough evidence to support an exact cause for this condition. Hyper sensitive nerve cells are believed by some to lead to this condition. Imbalance in the neurotransmitters in the brain can also cause this condition.

Symptoms
Pain in the muscles, neck, soft tissues or back region are the main symptoms of fibromyalgia. Some areas in your body can also hurt when pressed. Morning stiffness, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and trouble concentrating are the lesser known symptoms. It is also common to see people suffering from fibromyalgia having depression and anxiety.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition which has no complete cure. Symptoms can recur. There may be times when there are acute symptoms and other times when there are no symptoms at all. Symptoms may worsen during cold seasons, during times of stress etc.

How is it treated?
With better ways to handle stress and through regular exercise you can control the symptoms. You must also have good sleep habits. You can opt for counseling to learn to cope with acute or severe pain.