Researchers believe that the intense fatigue that is associated with fibromyalgia is the body’s attempt to combat the pain symptoms. Because fibromyalgia exhaustion causes body-wide pain sensations, your threshold for pain becomes lower. You experience chronic muscle pain, joint pain, and develop “tender points” throughout your body.
You may have heard the term “fibromyalgia” without really understanding what the condition entails. Millions of Americans suffer from fibromyalgia daily, but it can be a difficult road to get to that diagnosis. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects individuals in a long-term way. Fibromyalgia is a difficult condition to understand because many of the symptoms resemble other conditions. This is why diagnosis can be difficult sometimes. Let’s figure out what it is and what you can do if you are suffering from fibromyalgia.
What Is Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic, neurological health problem. It can cause a widespread sensitivity to touch, cognitive difficulties, and fatigue. These symptoms typically lower the quality of life for the individual experiencing them. The cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown to researchers, but can still be treated. Someone suffering from fibromyalgia can their symptoms vary day-to-day, but common symptoms include chronic bodily pain, insomnia, cognitive fog, muscle pain and fatigue.
There is no cure for fibromyalgia but there are several treatment approaches for this condition. Because the symptoms can vary in intensity and severity, no “one-size-fits-all” treatment can be utilized, but several approaches can be incorporated. The musculoskeletal pain can affect your sleep, mood, and your fatigue levels. It is believed that fibromyalgia also amplifies the pain sensations that are being released through your body.
Who Gets Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can affect anyone. Anyone can develop it, including both adults and children. However, it does seem that the majority of cases of fibromyalgia reported tend to occur amongst women. Individuals suffering from other rheumatic diseases such as lupus and arthritis are also more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
While the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, scientific research is still trying to establish if there is a link between the condition and specific genetic markers, or if it may be a hereditary condition. For most, their fibromyalgia symptoms can begin after a devastating emotional trauma, a physical injury, or complications from an infection or surgery. For others, their fibromyalgia may develop from a steady accumulation of symptoms.
Fibromyalgia And Fatigue
The most jarring symptoms of fibromyalgia is fatigue. The fatigue caused by fibromyalgia differs from regular fatigue, and cannot be battled with traditional approaches. Fibromyalgia induced fatigue can be described as inability for refreshing sleep, cognitive difficulty, physical exhaustion, and depressed mood. These fatigue symptoms can impact your ability to function at work properly, attend family functions, or even participate in your social activities.
Researchers believe that the intense fatigue that is associated with fibromyalgia is the body’s attempt to combat the pain symptoms. Because fibromyalgia exhaustion causes body-wide pain sensations, your threshold for pain becomes lower. You experience chronic muscle pain, joint pain, and develop “tender points” throughout your body. This constant release of pain signals through the body can make your day-to-day life difficult, but it can also further exhaust the body. Experiencing pain chronically can make you tired and lethargic. The relationship between pain and fatigue become so intertwined that treatment may become difficult.
Chronic Fatigue vs Fibromyalgia Fatigue
Every movement you make may feel exhausting. It can become a struggle to get out of bed, let alone participate in hanging out with friends or even going to dinner. The chronic pain from your fibromyalgia feels exacerbated and amplified. Your pain disrupts your sleep. And the sleep you get is never restful. Before you begin treatment for fibromyalgia exhaustion, you will need to establish that that is what you’re suffering from, and not chronic fatigue.
Many of the symptoms of chronic fatigue are similar to fibromyalgia fatigue, but there is one critical difference between the two. For those suffering from chronic fatigue, the critical symptom is fatigue. If you’re suffering from fibromyalgia the most prominent symptom is actually pain, with fatigue being the secondary symptom.
Fibromyalgia Fatigue Treatment
Once you have been able to successfully determine you are suffering from fibromyalgia, you can begin treating your muscle pain and fatigue. Fibromyalgia is a complex, and at times complicated condition. Typically, one treatment approach is not sufficient enough to manage your symptoms. Some treatments for fibromyalgia exhaustion include:
- Home remedies
- Medication
- Alternative therapies
Home remedies can be a great way to begin mitigating your fibromyalgia fatigue symptoms. These remedies can be as simple as changing your diet, creating a sleep routine, incorporating low impact exercises into your day, and the use of essential oils.
For others, the use of medications can be more beneficial when treating your muscle soreness and fatigue. Some individuals can find relief with over-the-counter medication for their pain relief, allowing for more restful sleep. Individuals can use over the counter (OTC) medications like pain relievers. For more severe cases, some individuals suffering from fibromyalgia exhaustion may need prescription medications that treat nerve pain.
Alternative therapies are also a great way to find relief from your symptoms. These can include acupuncture, speciality massages, and the use of hot/cold compresses.
Treating fibromyalgia fatigue may initially seem daunting because there is no cure for fibromyalgia itself. But incorporating combinations of self-care therapies and medication can prove beneficial for many individuals suffering from their symptoms. Combined therapeutic approaches can help you find relief from your symptoms, producing a positive result from your treatments.
If you think you are suffering from fibromyalgia and the associated fatigue symptoms, call Shakthi Health and Wellness Center today! You can speak to one of our dedicated staff members who will assist you with scheduling your consultation with Dr. Jyothi Rao who can effectively evaluate your symptoms and optimize your body’s vitality. Call and speak to our concierge staff today!