There are three major types of fibromyalgia pains that are medically defined
Fibromyalgia is a medical condition where a person suffers chronic widespread pain all over the body that is characterized by muscular or musculoskeletal pain with stiffness and localized tenderness at specific points on the body.
There are many theories related to the cause of fibromyalgia. However, it is still not clear what really causes fibromyalgia but there are a number of factors that are involved.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The main fibromyalgia signs and symptoms include deep muscle pain, painful tender points, and morning stiffness.
Other major symptoms of fibromyalgia include sleep problems, fatigue, and anxiety.
Types of Fibromyalgia Pains
There are three major types of fibromyalgia pains that a person with fibromyalgia experiences.
It is important to understand and differentiate these pains so that one can treat them with the appropriate medications or treatment.
The three types of fibromyalgia pain that are medically defined are:
Hyperalgesia
Hyperalgesia is literally translated to excess pain; “Hyper” means excess and “algesia” means pain. It is the medical term for pain intensification in fibromyalgia.
This happens when the brain tends to take normal pain signals and increase its volume, making it more severe than they would normally be. Hyperalgesia is the heightened sense of pain after painful stimuli.
There are medications that work for Hyperalgesia such as Gabapentin since it works on the nerve endings.
Most of the drugs used for reducing fibromyalgia pain are in one way or the other aimed at reducing Hyperalgesia.
According to a study published by Burgmer M et al. in 2012, it showed that people with fibromyalgia reported severe pain compared to people without fibromyalgia.
The study included 34 individuals who were divided into two groups, seventeen fibromyalgia patients, and seventeen normal individuals.
Each individual was given an incision in the right volar forearm and primary and secondary Hyperalgesia were evaluated and recorded.
The results revealed alteration of pain transmission at the central level or brain in patients’ suffering from fibromyalgia while changes in normal patients were not observed.
Allodynia
Allodynia is the pain you feel when your skin is being touched. For example, a mild pressure from clothing or a gentle massage causes pain or a light breeze blowing across your skin. It is hypersensitive to stimuli that would not normally cause any pain.
It is believed to be a hypersensitive reaction that may result from the central sensitization associated with fibromyalgia.
The pain comes from a malfunction of specialized nerves called nociceptors. These nociceptors sense information about things like temperature and painful stimuli right at the skin.
Allodynia has three sub-types and they are tactile, mechanical and thermal.
- Tactile is the pain from touch or gentle pressure.
- Mechanical pain is the pain that comes from something moving across your skin. For example, applying makeup or dressing up or applying a cream.
- Thermal is the pain from heat or cold. A person with fibromyalgia may tend to feel pain from heat as well as cold.
The Allodynia pain comes from a malfunction of specialized nerves and is also related to lack of restorative sleep.
Treatments or coping strategies for fibromyalgia such as eating healthy, improving sleep and exercising can also help reduce Allodynia.
Medications that work for Allodynia include Tramadol, Lidocaine, Morphine, Tricuclic anti-depressants, Lyrica, Neurotin or any other kinds of painkillers. It is also suggested that people with these pains wear loose fitting cloths made from soft natural fibers.
Paresthesia
Paresthesia is the odd nerve sensation that feels like something crawling, tingling, burning, itching or numbness, for example, a numb spot in the middle of your foot or a burning sensation on your back.
It is also associated with pheripheral neuropathy, chemotherapy drugs, multiple sclerosis and migraine.
It often occurs in the hands and extremities of the body.This condition can vary from mild to very severe.
Many common fibromyalgia treatments can help reduce paresthesia related pain. Some medications for Paresthesia include anti-depressants and Vitamin supplements.
There is also relief through physical therapy. Acupuncture is another form of treatment that helps relief painful paresthesia.
Natural Ways to treat Fibromyalgia Pains
Exercising
It is recommended for everyone to exercise, especially for a person with fibromyalgia, it would really help in coping with the different pains that he or she suffers.
Establish a daily routine of exercise but it is recommended that fibromyalgia patients do light exercises.
Exercising can improve sleep, reduce fatigue and improve circulation and strengthen your heart.
Therapies
Different kinds of therapies including physical therapy can also help people with fibromyalgia cope with fibromyalgia pains.
Therapies such as water therapy, light aerobics; application of heat or cold, acupuncture and osteopathic have helped fibromyalgia patients.
Eating a balanced or healthy diet
A healthy or a balanced diet is also very important for a fibromyalgia patient. For a healthy body, everyone has to eat healthy.
It is recommended that people with fibromyalgia eat lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and dairy.
Having a good sleep routine or getting enough sleep
It is important for a fibromyalgia patient to have a good sleep routine. To have a good night’s sleep one should create a conducive sleeping environment, avoiding coffee or caffeine, sugar and alcohol before going to bed and do light excise during the day.
At times when necessary doctors also recommend sleep medications but it should be taken under strict guidance.
Reduce stress
There are ways to reduce stress. A person with fibromyalgia should at any cost try to reduce stress. To reduce stress, it is recommended to try relaxation techniques like meditation.
Herbs and supplements
There are different types of herbs and supplements that one can use in order to help ease the pains of fibromyalgia. Some of the herbs and supplements include magnesium and acetyl-L-carnitine.
It is, however, important to consult with your doctor before you are about to take any herbs or supplements to help reduce the pain.
