A prevalent rheumatological illness known as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is distinguished by persistent, widespread pain and tendencies at clearly defined locations. Allodynia is the perception of pain in the presence of both painful and non-painful stimuli. Painful stimuli are frequently experienced with extreme intensity (hyperalgesia). In addition to tiredness, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, headaches, migraines, irregular bowel movements, diffuse abdominal pain (irritable bowel syndrome), and frequent urination, people with FMS frequently experience numerous health issues. Additionally, it is said that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to have it.
Introduction:
Fibromyalgia is a condition that results in fatigue and muscle discomfort. Pain in the body’s soft, fibrous tissues, including the skeletal muscles, ligaments, and tendons, is referred to as “fibromyalgia.” Numerous symptoms are similar between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. “Tender points” are specific locations on the neck, upper and lower back, hips, arms, and thighs that hurt when pressure is applied to them in fibromyalgia sufferers.
In contrast to men, women have fibromyalgia more frequently, and it can strike at any age. Patients with fibromyalgia claim to experience generalized body aches. It’s possible for their muscles to feel strained or overused. From patient to patient, symptoms may vary in severity. In general, patients report feeling completely exhausted and devoid of any vitality for no apparent reason.
Causes:
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. There are numerous ideas and potential causes of the illness, including:
- Alterations in brain chemistry: Some fibromyalgia patients have abnormally high amounts of brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Particularly, they have low amounts of serotonin, which influences mood, encourages sleep, and aids in lowering pain perception. Substance P, which sends the “pain message” to the brain, is frequently found in them in high concentrations.
- Autonomic nervous system dysfunction: Hormones that are released by the autonomic nervous system have an impact on how you respond to stress. According to some medical professionals, people with fibromyalgia release these hormones differently when they are under stress, and the hormones have an impact on how painful something feels.
- Issues with sleep: The majority of fibromyalgia sufferers complain of sleep issues, and they particularly struggle with the deepest stage of sleep, when the body heals itself. According to some medical professionals, patients with fibromyalgia who don’t get enough sleep have damaged muscles that can’t heal, which causes pain and exhaustion in the muscles. Other medical professionals think that fibromyalgia is a symptom, not a cause, of sleep issues.
- Genetics: Sometimes, fibromyalgia susceptibility is hereditary.
- Having a different rheumatic condition: If you suffer from a condition like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, you may be more susceptible to developing fibromyalgia.
Symptoms:
Fibromyalgia’s main symptom is pain. The fibromyalgia-related pain is frequently extensive and is described as a persistent, deep, dull aching. However, throbbing, cutting, shooting, and scorching pains might also occur occasionally. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and the area around joints are all affected by the discomfort. Exercise typically makes the ache worse. Other symptoms include stiffness after spending too much time in the same position when lying down, tingling, and numbness. Another common symptom of fibromyalgia is fatigue. People with fibromyalgia still feel worn out and fatigued even after resting for significant periods of time.
Some individuals compare this exhaustion to flu-like fatigue. The individual feels too worn out to perform routine, everyday tasks. Other fibromyalgia symptoms include cognitive issues and fibro-fog, which make it difficult for a person to pay attention, concentrate, and focus on mental tasks. It also gets harder to learn new things, remember information, and keep up with conversations. In addition to the aforementioned signs and disorders, there are also headaches, anxiety, depression, tingling, prickling, numbness, and burning sensations in the hands, feet, arms, and legs, lower abdominal discomfort, painful menstruation in women, and a condition called irritable bowel syndrome.
Diagnosis:
Due to a lack of a specific inquiry, fibromyalgia is frequently difficult to identify. Its symptoms (mostly pain) also resemble those of many other illnesses. When a patient has widespread pain in their body’s delicate spots for at least three months with no apparent cause, fibromyalgia is diagnosed. There is no laboratory test that can validate a fibromyalgia diagnosis. To rule out other illnesses that have symptoms (mostly chronic pain) comparable to fibromyalgia, certain tests are performed. Rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide), ESR, CBC, and thyroid function tests are among them.
Homeopathic treatment for the disease:
The disease’s level of chronicity may change, but its fundamental etiology never changes. Given the widespread availability of the disease’s therapy, it has a high incidence. However, many turn to homeopathy for a more powerful and long-lasting remedy. Homoeopathy offers a number of treatments for fibromyalgia, categorized according to the distinct symptoms of the condition:
- Kalmia Latifolia: One of the greatest homeopathic treatments is Kalmia Latifolia when, in addition to the typical symptoms of fibromyalgia, the pain in the muscle is accompanied by a sensation of coldness and numbness.
- Causticum: Soreness, weakness, and a sense of stillness are symptoms of some fibromyalgia types. Causticum relieves these conditions.
- Bryonia: Bryonia reduces persistent discomfort in the body’s soft tissues. To maximize the effects of Bryonia, exposure to heat must be strictly avoided.
- Rhododendron: A noticeable change in the season frequently makes the fibromyalgia symptoms worse. The discomfort is lessened in intensity by rhododendron.
- Arnica: Arnica is a very efficient treatment for any bodily soreness brought on by an accident. When the exact causes or symptoms are unknown, it also serves as the best choice.
- Rhus Tox: Rhus Tox is a great remedy for the muscle discomfort and immobility brought on by rheumatism. It can provide a great deal of relief when combined with the appropriate workouts.
- Ruta Grav: When used consistently, Ruta Grav helps to relieve tendon pains and restore muscle strength in fibromyalgia patients.
Precautions:
- Remove any potential food allergens, such as dairy, maize, soy, wheat (gluten), preservatives, and additives. Your doctor could recommend conducting a food sensitivity test.
- Consume foods high in antioxidants, such as bell peppers, kale, spinach, and fruits and vegetables like blueberries and cherries.
- Protein sources to consider instead of red meat include lean meats, cold-water fish, tofu (soy, if allergy-free), and beans.
- Use nutritious cooking oils like coconut or olive oil.
- Reduce or eliminate the trans fatty acids that are included in processed foods, margarine, cookies, cakes, fries, onion rings, doughnuts, and other commercially baked goods.
- Limit foods that are heavy in sugar, salt, and fat, and abstain from alcohol, smoking, and caffeine. Steer clear of meals that contain chemicals like monosodium glutamate (MSG).
- Every day, sip between six and eight glasses of filtered water.