Lady Gaga’s Fight With Fibromyalgia and What You Need to Know About it

#1 Constant Pain

Fibromyalgia is characterized by constant dull aching pain throughout the body that last for more than 3 months at one stretch.

#2 Waking Fatigue

Those who suffer from this disorder feel tired and fatigued even after they have sufficient sleep, which severely hampers their day-to-day activities.

#3 Sleep Disturbances

Fibromyalgia causes a large number of sleep disorders. The most important of which is constant pain that leads to disturbed sleep.

But it is also known to cause other problems like Restless Leg Syndrome (the urge to constantly move your leg when you are resting) and Sleep Apnea (breathing difficulties).

#4 Disabled Cognition

The constant pain brought on by fibromyalgia can be so distracting that people suffering from it often find it difficult to concentrate on tasks that require mental focus.

#5 Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The constant stimulation of pain receptors in fibromyalgia and the resultant brain changes leads to many other problems, one of which is irritable bowel syndrome (abdominal cramps, pain, diarrhea, and gas).

#6 Migraines and Tension Headaches

Since the brain is overstimulated in fibromyalgia, it doesn't take a big leap to understand why this condition can also precipitate migraine attacks and frequent tension headaches.

#7 Painful Bladder Syndrome

Also called Interstitial Cystitis, this condition is characterized by mild to severe pain in the pelvic region.

#8 TMJ Disorders

TMJ, or the Temporomandibular joint, is the jaw joint that allows us to speak and eat. And while it is not known why fibromyalgia precipitates disorders related to it, the most popular theory is that the increased pain response of the brain manifests all other problems through the nervous pathways.

Is There a Cure?

Unfortunately, fibromyalgia does not have a cure as of yet.

But what doctors can do is ease the pain and give symptomatic relief.

#1 Medicines

Various medicines are used to ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Painkillers - Only non-opioid painkillers, like ibuprofen and paracetamol, are prescribed because opioid analgesics cause dependence and also intensify the pain over time.

Anti-depressants - Ease pain and fatigue.

Muscle Relaxants - Helps with sleep.

Anti-epileptic drugs - Gabapentin is an FDA approved drug for treating fibromyalgia because it works wonders on the symptoms.

#2 Physiotherapy

The main aim of physiotherapy for fibromyalgia is to reduce fatigue and thus improve strength, flexibility, and stamina.

#3 Counseling

Psychological counseling is very essential because people suffering from this disorder live with pain, and these sessions help them deal with these debilitating problems.

#4 Yoga

While not as effective as medications and physiotherapy, yoga does show good results over a period of time when practiced regularly in those suffering from fibromyalgia.