Fibromyalgia: understand what it is, symptoms and how treatment is done

Fibromyalgia is a clinical syndrome characterized by pain throughout the body, especially in the muscles, accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep, changes in memory and attention, anxiety, depression and intestinal changes. According to the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology (SBR), this is a common disease that mainly affects women.

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not yet fully known, but recent studies suggest that it may be related to changes in the brain and spinal cord that may increase levels of chemicals in the brain that signal pain.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit medical services organization in the United States, several factors can lead to these changes in the brain, such as genetics (heredity), infections, or physical and emotional events, such as prolonged stress or physical or psychological trauma. Other rheumatic disorders, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus, can also increase the risk of developing fibromyalgia.

Furthermore, according to the SBR, it is also not yet known why the disease affects more women than men. From a societal perspective, hormonal factors do not appear to be related to a higher risk of the disease, since fibromyalgia can occur both before and after menopause.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia begins as a chronic, localized pain that, over time, progresses to involve the entire body. In fact, diffuse pain is the most characteristic and important symptom of the syndrome, according to the SBR, and usually occurs at the end of the day, but can also occur in the morning.

Additionally, fibromyalgia symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue;
  • Unrestorative sleep, even after sleeping for long periods;
  • Sleep disorders (such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea);
  • Cognitive difficulties (such as difficulty focusing, paying attention and memory).

According to the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia can also occur alongside other health conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, painful bladder syndrome, temporomandibular joint disorders, postural tachycardia syndrome, anxiety, and depression.

According to the SBR, sleep disorders in fibromyalgia are common and can affect 95% of patients with the disease. Difficulty maintaining deep sleep is generally one of the most common symptoms and is characterized by superficial or interrupted sleep, reducing the quality of sleep.

How is the diagnosis made?

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed clinically, meaning it is not done through tests. The doctor interviews the patient, analyzes the symptoms and rules out other problems that may manifest in a similar way. In addition, specific diagnostic criteria for the syndrome are used, such as:

  • Pain for more than three months throughout the body;
  • Presence of painful points in the muscles (11 points, out of 18 that are pre-established).

However, according to the SBR, even if patients do not present all pain points, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made and treatment is started.

Recently, Bill (PL) 3010/19, by deputy Dr. Leonardo (Republicanos-MT), establishes guidelines for care and access to complementary exams, pharmaceutical assistance and access to therapeutic modalities, such as pharmaceutical assistance and access to therapeutic modalities (such as physiotherapy and physical activity, for example).

Furthermore, the text foresees the need for a biopsychosocial assessment so that people with these illnesses are considered equivalent to people with disabilities.

Fibromyalgia treatment

According to the SBR, fibromyalgia is treated with medications such as muscle relaxants, neuromodulators and antidepressants. These medications act on mechanisms involved in the generation and inhibition of pain and other symptoms of the disease, regardless of the patient’s psychological condition.

In addition, non-drug treatments are also carried out, such as physical activity and physiotherapy. According to the society, the main recommendations are aerobic activities, such as walking and swimming, but water aerobics, stretching and muscle strengthening are also recommended and can be performed.

In cases of disorders related to fibromyalgia, such as sleep disorders and irritable bowel syndrome, specific medications may be used to treat these conditions as well. In addition, in cases of depression and anxiety, psychological and/or psychiatric monitoring may be necessary.

This content was originally published in Fibromyalgia: understand what it is, symptoms and how treatment is carried out on the CNN Brasil website.

Source: CNN Brasil

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