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 cause of this condition is yet to be established. Several risk factors are believed to contribute to its development. Susceptible individuals often have a similar mutation of genes and this has led researchers into believing that the condition may have a familial inheritance pattern. Constant infections especially of the musculoskeletal system are also a predisposing factor. Gender also plays a role as more women than men are affected.
If the patients are experiencing only mild symptoms, they may respond to NSAIDS. Ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol and diclofenac are all effective in relieving pain. If the symptoms fail to respond to treatment with these drugs, stronger analgesic agents may be used. Opioids such as morphine and meperidine are good choices as are codeine and tramadol. Tramadol should be used cautiously as it may cause side effects such as diarrhoea, fatigue and withdrawal symptoms.
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.
Anticonvulsants have a similar effect to anticonvulsants though the mechanism of action is different. Pregabalin is a drug that reduces the amount of glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain. The drug is effective in the treatment of epilepsy, a condition where patients experience recurrent seizures. The effect of this drug is a reduction in pain perception as well as other symptoms. Its main side effects include constipation, nausea, dryness of mouth, weight gain, vomiting, constipation and blurred vision.
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.
When seeking treatment for fibromyalgia, the main concern for the affected individual is often the constant pain. It should also be remembered that the other symptoms also need to be treated. These include, among others, fatigue, depression, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis and anxiety. For this reason, patients are advised to seek the help of various specialised medical professionals to sort out these symptoms.
Patients with fibromyalgia require psychological counselling as they have to live with this condition for a long time. They need to remain positive so that responsive to treatment is improved and their quality of life is also improved. They need to know that while there is no definitive treatment, symptoms may subside with time. An encouraging development in fibromyalgia treatment is the fact that there is hope for better and more effective therapies in future.
The cause of this condition is yet to be established. Several risk factors are believed to contribute to its development. Susceptible individuals often have a similar mutation of genes and this has led researchers into believing that the condition may have a familial inheritance pattern. Constant infections especially of the musculoskeletal system are also a predisposing factor. Gender also plays a role as more women than men are affected.
If the patients are experiencing only mild symptoms, they may respond to NSAIDS. Ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol and diclofenac are all effective in relieving pain. If the symptoms fail to respond to treatment with these drugs, stronger analgesic agents may be used. Opioids such as morphine and meperidine are good choices as are codeine and tramadol. Tramadol should be used cautiously as it may cause side effects such as diarrhoea, fatigue and withdrawal symptoms.
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.
Anticonvulsants have a similar effect to anticonvulsants though the mechanism of action is different. Pregabalin is a drug that reduces the amount of glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain. The drug is effective in the treatment of epilepsy, a condition where patients experience recurrent seizures. The effect of this drug is a reduction in pain perception as well as other symptoms. Its main side effects include constipation, nausea, dryness of mouth, weight gain, vomiting, constipation and blurred vision.
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.
When seeking treatment for fibromyalgia, the main concern for the affected individual is often the constant pain. It should also be remembered that the other symptoms also need to be treated. These include, among others, fatigue, depression, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis and anxiety. For this reason, patients are advised to seek the help of various specialised medical professionals to sort out these symptoms.
Patients with fibromyalgia require psychological counselling as they have to live with this condition for a long time. They need to remain positive so that responsive to treatment is improved and their quality of life is also improved. They need to know that while there is no definitive treatment, symptoms may subside with time. An encouraging development in fibromyalgia treatment is the fact that there is hope for better and more effective therapies in future.
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