What is fibromyalgia? A doctor explains the chronic pain disease

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) — Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain syndrome affecting 2% to 4% of people worldwide, is characterized by persistent pain lasting three months or longer in multiple parts of the body.

Health experts say diagnosing the condition can be challenging, as there is no single test to identify it. Although there is no cure, fibromyalgia can be managed through various treatments.

The chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia does not stem from tissue damage or inflammation.

Instead, the source of this pain is centralized, originating in the central nervous system rather than in external body parts.

Dr. Mona Idrees, a rheumatologist at Bon Secours, explained that fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome without tissue damage or inflammation. She further clarified that it affects “anybody that has pain for three months or longer in multiple parts of the body.”

Dr. Idrees detailed that the source of this pain is centralized. “The source of pain in fibromyalgia is centralized pain,” Dr. Idrees said. “What that means is it’s not originating in external body parts. It’s originating in your central nervous system.” This centralized pain can manifest as persistent discomfort in areas such as the neck, shoulders, or arms, even when medical tests show no obvious physical cause.

Beyond physical pain, untreated fibromyalgia can significantly impact a person’s life. Many patients also experience fatigue, sleep problems and difficulty concentrating. Dr. Idrees noted that while untreated fibromyalgia generally does not worsen physically, “it will start encompassing more and more parts of your life so it can start causing mental fog. It can decrease your productivity and make it harder to get to all the things you need to do in your day. Work can decrease your ability to function at your optimal level.”

Diagnosing fibromyalgia presents unique challenges because there is no specific test to confirm it. “There is no specific blood test or diagnostic marker, or an X-ray or something like that, that identifies it,” Dr. Idrees stated. She added that “just because we can’t find something right now does not mean it doesn’t exist or it’s not there,” emphasizing the importance of ruling out other conditions first.

Treatment approaches for fibromyalgia often include lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, improvements in sleep habits, regular exercise and medication. “We can also go to pharmacological treatments, which include medications that are designed to decrease that sensation that’s traveling to the brain from our body carrying pain sensation,” Dr. Idrees said. She also highlighted the significant role of stress in exacerbating symptoms. “Stress 100% worsens fibromyalgia,” Dr. Idrees explained. She noted that a major source of stress for patients is the inability to identify a root problem for their pain. Dr. Idrees advises individuals to “listen to your body; if you’re feeling something is not right, please get it checked.

While there is currently no cure for fibromyalgia, doctors say the condition can be managed effectively. Flare-ups can be triggered by factors such as stress, poor sleep habits, or other environmental elements. Doctors recommend that patients work closely with their medical providers to develop an individualized treatment plan that best addresses their specific needs.

Reference<https://myfox8.com/national/what-is-fibromyalgia-a-doctor-explains-the-chronic-pain-disease/