Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, along with other symptoms that vary from person to person, such as difficulty falling asleep or mood disturbances. Its diagnosis is not simple, as the exact mechanisms of its development remain unknown, and no abnormalities are detected in laboratory tests or imaging studies.

Patients describe fibromyalgia as pain from head to toe, significantly limiting their quality of life. Currently, there is no cure for this disease. However, recent research has led to improved and personalized treatments that help reduce this silent pain and facilitate its management.

Symptoms

The most characteristic symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Widespread pain, affecting different areas of the body located both above and below the waist. This pain is mild but persistent.
• Fatigue at any time of the day, even after sleeping.
• Cognitive difficulties, known as fibro fog, which affect concentration and attention span.

In addition to common symptoms, fibromyalgia can cause other discomforts that vary from person to person. Some of the most frequent include sleep disorders, depression, migraines, digestive problems such as diarrhea or constipation, paresthesia (numbness in the feet or hands), and vertigo.

Causes

Although the exact causes of fibromyalgia remain unknown, researchers associate its development with low levels of serotonin in the blood, which impairs proper pain regulation. Additionally, some external factors may trigger its onset when the condition is already latent, such as stressful situations, bacterial infections, or limiting diseases such as arthritis or lupus.

Risk Factors

Fibromyalgia can appear at any stage of life, although it is more common in middle-aged individuals. The main risk factors include:

• Gender: This condition is diagnosed more frequently in women, with a prevalence of 4.2% compared to 0.2% in men, according to the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER).
• Family history: Fibromyalgia has a hereditary component.
• Other diseases: The likelihood of developing fibromyalgia increases if the person has other conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis.

Complications

Some individuals with fibromyalgia can manage their daily activities without major difficulties. However, when the disease remains undiagnosed or treatments do not provide the expected results, general discomfort and disability gradually increase, potentially leading to anxiety or depression.

Prevention

When fibromyalgia is latent, it can manifest following stressful or traumatic experiences. For this reason, prevention focuses on adopting healthy habits and learning to manage stress as much as possible. Some activities that improve the prognosis of fibromyalgia include:

• Regular moderate physical exercise.
• Relaxation techniques.
• Sleeping between 7 and 9 hours per day.
• Eating fresh foods and avoiding processed meals.
• Increasing the intake of Omega-3 fatty acids.
• Drinking 1 to 2 liters of fluids daily, preferably water.
• Limiting alcohol consumption.

Which Doctor Treats Fibromyalgia?

Rheumatologists specialize in fibromyalgia. Additionally, to reduce symptoms and implement certain treatments, patients may need to consult specialists from the bodily injury unit, orthopedic surgery and traumatology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation.