Ask your pharmacistfibromyalgiapart 1
Eamonn Brady is a pharmacist and the owner of Whelehans Pharmacy, Pearse St, Mullingar. If you have any health questions e-mail them to info@whelehans.ie
Fibromyalgia is one of the main chronic pain disorders. It affects approximately 2% of people by the age of 20, increasing to 8% of people by age 70. It occurs 9 times more frequently women than men. Symptoms generally start to occur between the ages of 30 and 55. The condition affects connective tissues which include the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Muscle pain is the main symptom while debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbances, joint stiffness, headaches and mood disturbances can also occur. Fibromyalgia commonly co-exists with psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety and other stress related disorders.
Causes
The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown but it is thought that various physical or emotional factors may trigger symptoms. The muscles and tendons seem to be normal but yet are excessively irritated by painful stimuli e.g. heat, noise or strong odours. The latest theory suggests there is a genetic predisposition to fibromyalgia (it runs in families) due to a heightened sense of pain brought on by stress factors including infection, physical and emotional trauma or sleep disturbances.
Symptoms: Pain
The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread, chronic and persistent pain described as deep muscle aching, stiffness, burning and throbbing. Many people with fibromyalgia describe the pain as aches all over the body. Muscles can feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn. Fibromyalgia pain is also described as numbness and tingling and is aggravated by stress factors including anxiety, stress, and lack of sleep, exertion, cold or damp conditions. People with fibromyalgia experience a kind of mental fogginess or clouding of consciousness which can lead to decreased concentration, problems with short and long term memory, decreased speed of performance and inability to multi-task. Depression and anxiety can exacerbate the pain in fibromyalgia.
Fatigue/sleep disturbances
Persistent fatigue occurs in more than 90 percent of people with fibromyalgia. Most people complain of light, disturbed sleep or difficulty falling asleep, wakening repeatedly during the night and feeling exhausted during the day.
Depression and anxiety
Approximately 30% of people with fibromyalgia have major depression at the time of diagnosis. The reason for the high rate of depression in people with fibromyalgia is not fully understood. However, there are a few theories. For example, people suffering from fibromyalgia have lower levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin in the brain leading to depression. Frequent and debilitating pain and fatigue is likely to be a major cause of depression.
Upcoming Fibromyalgia Talk
Arthritis Ireland (Westmeath Branch) is hosting a Fibromyalgia and Arthritis Information talk this week )Wednesday October 15th at 7.30pm) in the Annebrook Hotel in Mullingar. Admission is free. Talks on the night will include ‘Diet & Inflammation’ by Aisling Murray, Nutritionist at Whelehans Pharmacy; ‘Working with Arthritis’ by Eimear Lyons, Senior Occupational Therapist and ‘Fibromyalgia Research’ by Eamonn Brady, Pharmacist. Call the Westmeath Branch of Arthritis Ireland at 087 1413225 for more information.
To be continued….next week I will discuss the treatment of Fibromyalgia.
This article is shortened to fit within Newspaper space limits. More detailed information and leaflets is available in Whelehans