Fibromyalgia: what it is, symptoms, treatment and tender points

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder, quite common, which causes pain to appear in various parts of the body and has no cure. Although a specific cause is not yet known, it is possible that fibromyalgia arises due to genetic sensitivity or physical or psychological trauma, for example.

To relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia, which in addition to pain throughout the body, can also include frequent tiredness, indisposition, sleep disturbances and stiffness for more than 3 months, some treatment options are taking antidepressant and analgesic remedies indicated by the doctor, physiotherapy and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture.

Watch some tips that can help improve your quality of life:

Although there is no cure, the treatment helps to increase the quality of life, allowing you to walk and work without having such frequent attacks of pain. Fibromyalgia affects both men and women, but it is more common in women between 30 and 55 years of age.

Treatment options for fibromyalgia

Treatment for fibromyalgia should be guided by a rheumatologist, physiotherapist and psychiatrist and usually includes:

1. Taking medication for pain and depression

To relieve pain in the body, the doctor may recommend taking painkillers and anti-inflammatories like Tramadol. However, these drugs are not always effective, so the doctor may recommend antiparkinsonian drugs like Pramipexole and antidepressants like Fluoxetine that also help to reduce pain by acting on the central nervous system.

In addition, the psychiatrist may also recommend medications to reduce anxiety, depression and sleep problems, such as Amitriptyline and Zolpidem, and in some cases may also recommend pregabalin or gabapentin, to relieve the tingling sensation.

Physiotherapy

Psychotherapy

2. Doing physical therapy

To improve movements, physical therapy should be performed at least twice a week, through therapeutic massages, stretching and relaxation exercises, as it helps to reduce symptoms by promoting local analgesia and improving blood circulation.

3. Perform physical activity

Physical activity is also important, but you should follow the instructions of the doctor and the physical educator, performing in most cases exercises that help to relieve pain and strengthen and stretch the muscles, such as walking, swimming and water aerobics, performing about 3 to 5 times a week, for 30 to 60 minutes.

Water aerobics

Acupuncture

5. Doing acupuncture

You can also perform natural treatments such as acupuncture, which consists of applying needles to specific points on the body to relieve pain, however there is still no consensus on its usefulness and therapeutic action in fibromyalgia and, therefore, may have resulted in some patients and not others. Discover other alternatives for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

6. Eat more magnesium, potassium and omega 3

In the case of having fibromyalgia it is important to follow a diet that includes foods with:

• Magnesium, such as avocado, artichoke and seeds: help to relax muscles and improve circulation; Potassium, such as bananas, apples, beets and peas: help prevent muscle weakness and cramps; Omega 3, such as sardines, salmon and chia seeds or nuts: have anti-inflammatory action and relieve pain symptoms.

In addition, you can make a natural juice with cabbage and orange and take it about 2 times a day, as its properties help to tone the muscles. Here's how to prepare this juice that helps treat fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia symptoms

The main symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Pain throughout the body, difficult to define what is hurting, but it is more evident in the muscles; Sleep disorders, waking up with the sensation that you have not slept; Frequent tiredness and drowsiness; Tingling sensation in the hands and feet. Intestinal changes such as appearance of diarrhea and constipation; Anxiety and symptoms of depression; Hard muscles; Headache and dizziness; Alteration of attention, concentration and memory loss.

Some patients report that the pain is so intense that they cannot be hugged or caressed because the pain becomes unbearable and they are usually more intense in the morning.

Main pain points

The pain, despite being generalized, is stronger when pressing some places, known as painful points of fibromyalgia, as seen in the image.

Joint pain

Muscle pain

Normally, fibromyalgia affects muscles, tendons and ligaments and, therefore, can impair the patient's quality of life, however this disease does not kill or cause deformities and, if the treatment is done correctly, it may not get worse over time, being that they may even decrease clinical manifestations.

See a map with the main tender points of fibromyalgia.

What can cause crises

Fibromyalgia symptoms worsen causing crises and the pain is more intense when touched or when physical activity is exaggerated.

In addition, stress, changes in the weather and poor nights or a few hours of sleep lead to symptoms being present.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of fibromyalgia must be made by the rheumatologist and is made by describing the signs and symptoms. It usually includes the presence of severe pain in 3 to 6 different areas of the body for 3 months or less severe pain in 7 or more different areas of the body also that lasts at least 3 months.

In addition, your doctor may recommend tests to rule out diseases that show symptoms similar to fibromyalgia.

What causes fibromyalgia

The cause of fibromyalgia is not yet known, but it is known that the brain of these patients interprets pain in a very intense way and, normally, the disease arises after situations such as severe infection, accident or psychological trauma, for example.

Does having fibromyalgia entitle you to retirement?

In some cases, fibromyalgia may entitle you to retirement, but it must be proven by the expert doctor, through an expertise scheduled at the INSS, and it is necessary to complete some specific requirements.

In addition, the patient can also benefit from sickness benefits during the time he is unable to work due to the fibromyalgia crisis.