Treating and Managing Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia was once diagnosed using an 18-point pain test. Now that has been changed to a quicker diagnosis wherein a patient is believed to have fibromyalgia if they are suffering from full body pain for more than three months with no underlying condition.
In order to rule out other conditions doctors prescribe a few tests, which might be:
- Complete blood count
- Rheumatoid factor
- Thyroid function tests
- Cyclic citrullinated peptide test
- Erythrocyte sedimentation test
Once the test results clear that there is nothing wrong with the body, the doctors start the treatment for fibromyalgia.
Treatment and management of fibromyalgia
Treatment of fibromyalgia is more about managing the symptoms it presents. The main focus of the doctors is on minimizing the symptoms and improving general health so that the patient can go back to his routine activities. Following are a few methods that alleviate pain and manage other symptoms effectively.
Medications
Medications are helpful to patients suffering from fibromyalgia. They help in treating and managing fibromyalgia symptoms like insomnia, pain, and anxiety. There are mainly three types of medicines:
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Pain relievers
Pain relievers are a must in the management of fibromyalgia given that whole body ache is one of the biggest problems of this disease. Most of the times over-the-counter medications help but sometimes the pain is so bad that the doctor has to prescribe a painkiller. Most doctors avoid narcotics because of their dependency causing tendencies.
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Antidepressants
Antidepressants and muscle relaxants come in handy for the management of fibromyalgia. These two medications together take care of almost all the problems associated with the disease. When a person with fibromyalgia sleeps properly, most of the other associated issues get settled themselves and muscle relaxants help in feeling normal in terms of body movements.
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Anti-seizure medication
For some cases, anti-seizure medications come in handy in pain and other symptom management. Gabapentin is commonly prescribed for fibromyalgia.
Therapy
A number of therapies prove to be very helpful in treating and managing fibromyalgia. These therapies reduce pain and discomfort and help a person achieve a normal lifestyle. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling are a few options that help in regaining physical as well as mental strength.
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Lifestyle remedies
Positive changes in lifestyle are well known to help people with fibromyalgia. Some of the changes that are vital are:
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Stress reduction
Stress is one of the biggest triggers of fibromyalgia. Hence, reduction of stress is imperative in the fibromyalgia management.
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Proper sleep
A proper sleep balances the chemicals in the brain, which is much-needed for a patient with fibromyalgia.
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Regular exercise
Appropriate exercises can magically heal the pain attached to this condition. Initial days feel like the pain is increasing, but it starts subsiding soon.
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Healthy food
Eating healthy is good for everyone and a person suffering from fibromyalgia benefits a lot from the intake of a balanced and healthy diet.
Fibromyalgia is crippling but it is manageable. A good doctor and some of the remedies mentioned above can make life easier and pain-free for a patient.
