Fibromyalgia

Patients with fibromyalgia may experience musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. Though the condition can’t be cured, patients can undergo various treatments to help manage their symptoms.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Patients with fibromyalgia may experience the following symptoms:

Sleep apnea
Sleep disturbances
Restless leg syndrome
Mental fog leading to difficulty concentrating
Fatigue, even after a full night of sleep

Digital illustration of fibromyalgia pain across the body

Physician evaluating patient for fibromyalgia

Widespread pain that occurs on both sides of the body, above and below the waist

Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia may also suffer from the following conditions:

Anxiety
Depression
Irritable bowel syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Migraine and other forms of headache
Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome
Temporomandibular joint disorders
Postural tachycardia syndrome

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Causes of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia may be triggered by physical trauma, infection, surgery, or significant psychological stress. Other patients may gradually develop the condition without an identifiable triggering event.

Changes in the brain and spinal cord caused by repeated nerve stimulation may lead to an abnormal increase in the chemicals that signal pain. This may then lead to symptoms of fibromyalgia.

In addition, the brain’s pain receptors develop memory of the pain and become increasingly sensitive. As a result, the body overreacts to painful and non-painful signals from the nervous system.

Older woman experiencing symptoms of fibromyalgia

Factors that increase the likelihood of these changes include:

Genetic mutations

Infection, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus

Prolonged psychological stress or a sudden traumatic event

Being female

Having parents or siblings diagnosed with fibromyalgia

Risk Factors For Fibromyalgia

Individuals are more likely to develop fibromyalgia if they are middle aged or have been diagnosed with lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Diagnosing And Treating Fibromyalgia

To diagnose fibromyalgia, physicians will need to review the patient’s history, symptoms, imaging scans, and blood test results. Treatment for fibromyalgia will depend on the severity of the patient’s symptoms and overall condition.

Treatment Options

At Las Vegas Primary Care, patients suffering from fibromyalgia may experience pain relief after treatment with joint and soft tissue injections, pain management therapy, and occupational medicine.

Joint and soft tissue injections offered at Las Vegas Primary Care include epidural injections, piriformis injections, sacroiliac joint injections, and trigger point injections.

Pain management therapy is another treatment option that may include hot and cold therapy, massage, acupuncture, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, cognitive behavior therapy, yoga, tai chi, opioids, antidepressants, and beta-blockers.

Fibromyalgia may also interfere with daily life and impair a patient’s ability to perform job duties. In these cases, occupational medicine could help the patient adjust to the demands of the workplace.

Staff at Las Vegas Primary Care are also trained to help employers adapt the workplace to the limitations of employees diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Occupational medicine can help both employers and employees implement a plan that will meet their needs.

Advanced Treatment For Fibromyalgia

Some patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia may need advanced treatment, such as chiropractic adjustment, and physical therapy. Patients are encouraged to speak to their physician at Las Vegas Primary Care to learn more about obtaining advanced treatment for fibromyalgia.