What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia isn’t a disease in itself, but it’s a collection of symptoms resulting from a neuropathic condition. It causes a wide range of symptoms, like:
- Widespread pain and stiffness
- Chronic fatigue
- Frequent headaches
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Painful menstruation
- Numb or tingling extremities
- Restless leg syndrome
- Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Difficulty with memory
- Lack of concentration
Fibromyalgia isn’t a life-threatening condition and doesn’t lead to permanent physical damage. However, it can lead to depression in patients who deal with the frustrations of being misdiagnosed. Symptoms like lack of sleep and constant fatigue can also interfere with your ability to perform at work and maintain personal relationships.
How do you diagnose fibromyalgia?
At Piedmont Interventional Spine & Pain Center, your provider, performs an extensive physical exam and presses certain points on your body to detect tenderness that may indicate that you have fibromyalgia. Your provider will take a detailed family and medical history and ask you questions about your pain.
There are no diagnostic tests that can confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, but your provider may still perform certain blood tests to rule out other health issues that may have similar symptoms, like rheumatoid arthritis.
How do you treat fibromyalgia?
There is no one cure for fibromyalgia, but at Piedmont Interventional Spine & Pain Center, your provider takes a two-pronged approach, which focuses on managing your symptoms and educating you to live with the condition and maintaining a robust quality of life.
For severe cases, your provider can prescribe medication to help control your pain. These medications work by changing your bring chemistry or blocking overactive nerves that transmit pain. If your pain levels aren’t so bad, you can use over-the-counter painkillers. Your provider can also prescribe antidepressants to treat any depression that may result from a fibromyalgia diagnosis and help improve the quality of your sleep patterns.
In addition to the medication that can help manage your pain, your provider works closely with you to learn and implement lifestyle changes that can help manage your symptoms. Eating a nutrient-rich diet and getting regular exercise that includes resistance training can help reduce your pain levels. Your provider can also provide counseling to help reduce negative behaviors that may contribute to your condition.
With guidance and proper self-care, you can continue to live a long and healthy life. To learn more about the various treatment options available at Piedmont Interventional Spine & Pain Center, call the office, or use the online scheduler to book your appointment today.
