What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain throughout your body. The condition is the result of neurological dysfunction, where your brain processes pain sensations at much higher levels than normal.
If you have close family members with fibromyalgia, you could be at increased risk for developing the condition. Certain factors can trigger the start of fibromyalgia, such as underlying medical conditions, excess stress, and injuries.
The chronic pain of fibromyalgia makes it difficult to move or perform your daily tasks and often reduces your quality of life in the long term.
What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain throughout your body, typically lasting at least three months or longer.
Because of the persistent pain, you can also feel tired, even after a good night’s rest. You can even have difficulty concentrating and remembering things or have frequent headaches.
Other symptoms relating to fibromyalgia include:
- Depression
- Restless-leg syndrome
- Lower abdominal pain
- Painful menstrual periods
- Tingling in your hands and feet
Fibromyalgia symptoms can worsen during physical activity or when you’re feeling stressed.
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
There is no specific test that can confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Dr. Mendoza reviews your medical history, family history, and current symptoms to determine if fibromyalgia could be a possibility. He performs a physical examination to identify areas of tenderness and pain.
To rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your pain, Dr. Mendoza can request other tests, such as blood work.
What treatment options are available for fibromyalgia?
Dr. Mendoza’s goal in creating a treatment plan for fibromyalgia is to relieve your symptoms and improve your overall health.
Depending on your specific needs, Dr. Mendoza can initially suggest physical therapy to alleviate pain and strengthen your muscles. You might also need to undergo behavioral therapy to learn how to manage your stress and reduce the occurrence of stress-related fibromyalgia pain.
If you need additional help managing chronic, debilitating pain, Dr. Mendoza can recommend prescription medications, like analgesics and antidepressants. In some cases, anti-seizure medications can also be useful in reducing your symptoms.
Learn more about pain management options for chronic fibromyalgia pain by calling Vulcan Pain Management directly or using the online booking feature.
