Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain that lasts longer than 3 months, which can hinder daily activities like work and self-care. There are currently no standard treatments available for FM.
What is fibromyalgia?
What are the main signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Chronic widespread pain is the most common and well-known symptom. However, further research has found that people with FM also experience a myriad of symptoms, such as:[2]
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Migraines
- Anxiety/depression
- Digestive disturbances
- Sensitivity to odors, lights, and sounds.
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based upon a thorough clinical evaluation from a healthcare provider. Currently, there are no tests for diagnosing FM. Since the symptoms of FM can also be caused by many other health conditions, other causes must be ruled out. It is a diagnosis of exclusion. [3]
What are some of the main medical treatments for fibromyalgia?
FM is typically treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and pharmacological interventions. [3]
Lifestyle changes that may be implemented include:
- Improving sleep
- Gradually increasing physical activity
- Stress management
- Dietary changes
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
Medications that may be prescribed include:
- Antidepressants
- Anticonvulsants
- Muscle relaxants
- Antipsychotics
- Medical cannabis
The treatment must be tailored to the individual's responses to any of the previously mentioned interventions.[3]
How could diet affect fibromyalgia?
Some studies found that dietary changes can improve symptoms of FM. However, the quality of these studies was poor and varied in their dietary interventions. More randomized controlled trials are needed to understand the relationship between diet and FM.[4]
Have any supplements been studied for fibromyalgia?
Since there are no standard treatments for FM, dietary supplements are often used to ameliorate symptoms. The supplements with the greatest amount of research are vitamin-d and coenzyme-q10. With that being said, the findings are inconsistent and more evidence is needed before recommendations can be made.[5]
Are there any other treatments for fibromyalgia?
If initial therapies are not effective, people with FM may pursue alternative treatments to reduce symptoms. These treatments include:
- Massage
- Chiropractic
- Acupuncture
The evidence surrounding these interventions is scarce. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before implementing any alternative treatments. [3]
What causes fibromyalgia?
The cause of FM is unknown. Current research suggests that environmental and genetic factors may play a role in the development of FM. Nonetheless, more research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn.[3]
Research FeedRead all studies
Coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and tryptophan supplement shows mixed results for fibromyalgia
In this 3-month randomized controlled trial in 89 people with fibromyalgia, a supplement that contained coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and tryptophan improved sleep quality, but it was unclear whether it had any other benefits, compared to a placebo.
Can nutrition information help people with fibromyalgia adhere to a Mediterranean diet?
Education, exercise, and therapy in the management of fibromyalgia
Vitamin D status and fibromyalgia symptoms in women
Vitamin D, vitamin B12, and ferritin levels in people with fibromyalgia
Frequently asked questions
What is fibromyalgia?
What are the main signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia?
The main sign of fibromyalgia is chronic widespread pain, but people with the condition also experience a variety of symptoms including fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, migraines, anxiety or depression, digestive issues, and sensitivity to sensory stimuli.
Chronic widespread pain is the most common and well-known symptom. However, further research has found that people with FM also experience a myriad of symptoms, such as:[2]
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Migraines
- Anxiety/depression
- Digestive disturbances
- Sensitivity to odors, lights, and sounds.
What can make fibromyalgia symptoms worse?
Quick answer:
Fibromyalgia symptoms can worsen due to additional stressors such as physical activity, psychological distress, sleep disturbances, poor diet, or infections, leading to a cycle of increased pain, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Stress management is essential for reducing flare-ups and improving quality of life for people with fibromyalgia.
The widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction of FM can cause significant bodily stress, so any additional stressors (like physical activity, psychological distress, sleep disturbances, poor diet, or infections) can cause a flare-up of FM symptoms. People with FM often have a decreased quality of life, which can further cause psychological distress, thereby creating a worsening cycle of symptoms. As such, finding ways to reduce stress is key to managing flare-ups.[8]
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed through a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a healthcare provider because there are no specific tests for the condition. The diagnosis is considered a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that other potential causes for the symptoms must be ruled out.
Diagnosis is based upon a thorough clinical evaluation from a healthcare provider. Currently, there are no tests for diagnosing FM. Since the symptoms of FM can also be caused by many other health conditions, other causes must be ruled out. It is a diagnosis of exclusion. [3]
What tests or tools are used to diagnose fibromyalgia?
Quick answer:
Fibromyalgia is primarily diagnosed using the American College of Rheumatology criteria, which require widespread pain, symptom severity, and symptom duration of at least 3 months. The ACTTION-APS Pain Taxonomy (AAPT) criteria can also be used; this assessment focuses on pain locations and persistent symptoms, but no imaging or blood tests are available for diagnosis.
The most widely used tool for diagnosing FM is the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. In order to reach a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, the following 3 conditions must be met:[6]
- Widespread pain index (WPI) (the patient marks where their pain is located) ≥ 7 AND symptom severity scale (SSS) (the patient indicates how their symptoms interfere with their daily life) score ≥ 5 OR WPI of 4–6 AND SSS score ≥ 9.
- Generalized pain, defined as pain in at least 4 of 5 regions (left upper region, left lower region, right upper region, right lower region, and axial) must be present.
- Symptoms have been present for 3 months.
The ACTTION-APS Pain Taxonomy (AAPT) diagnostic criteria can also be used, albeit less frequently[7]:
- Pain in 6 or more of the following pain sites: head, left arm, right arm, chest, abdomen, upper back and spine, lower back and spine/buttocks, left leg, and right leg.
- Moderate to severe sleep problems OR fatigue.
- Pain and fatigue or sleep problems must be persistent for at least 3 months.
To date, there are no imaging or blood tests used for diagnosis.
What are some of the main medical treatments for fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is treated with a combination of lifestyle changes, such as improving sleep and increasing physical activity, and pharmacological interventions, including antidepressants and muscle relaxants. Treatment should be personalized based on the individual's response to these approaches.
FM is typically treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and pharmacological interventions. [3]
Lifestyle changes that may be implemented include:
- Improving sleep
- Gradually increasing physical activity
- Stress management
- Dietary changes
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
Medications that may be prescribed include:
- Antidepressants
- Anticonvulsants
- Muscle relaxants
- Antipsychotics
- Medical cannabis
The treatment must be tailored to the individual's responses to any of the previously mentioned interventions.[3]
How could diet affect fibromyalgia?
Some studies suggest that dietary changes may improve fibromyalgia symptoms, but the quality of these studies was poor and their dietary interventions were varied. Additional randomized controlled trials are necessary to clarify the relationship between diet and fibromyalgia.
Some studies found that dietary changes can improve symptoms of FM. However, the quality of these studies was poor and varied in their dietary interventions. More randomized controlled trials are needed to understand the relationship between diet and FM.[4]
Have any supplements been studied for fibromyalgia?
Dietary supplements, particularly vitamin D and coenzyme Q10, have been studied for fibromyalgia, but the research findings are inconsistent, and more evidence is needed before making recommendations. There are currently no standard treatments for fibromyalgia, which has led to the use of these supplements to alleviate symptoms.
Since there are no standard treatments for FM, dietary supplements are often used to ameliorate symptoms. The supplements with the greatest amount of research are vitamin-d and coenzyme-q10. With that being said, the findings are inconsistent and more evidence is needed before recommendations can be made.[5]
Are there any other treatments for fibromyalgia?
If initial therapies for fibromyalgia are ineffective, individuals may consider alternative treatments such as massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture, though evidence for these options is limited. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before trying any alternative treatments.
If initial therapies are not effective, people with FM may pursue alternative treatments to reduce symptoms. These treatments include:
- Massage
- Chiropractic
- Acupuncture
The evidence surrounding these interventions is scarce. Therefore, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before implementing any alternative treatments. [3]
What causes fibromyalgia?
The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but current research indicates that both environmental and genetic factors may contribute to its development. Further research is necessary to draw definitive conclusions.
The cause of FM is unknown. Current research suggests that environmental and genetic factors may play a role in the development of FM. Nonetheless, more research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn.[3]
What causes pain in fibromyalgia?
Quick answer:
Fibromyalgia is now recognized as a true disorder that is characterized by improper pain signaling, which leads to hypersensitivity to pain. Research indicates that people with fibromyalgia have higher levels of glutamate and lower levels of GABA, which may contribute to this heightened pain sensitivity.
Historically, whether fibromyalgia was a true condition has been debated, as many researchers and clinicians believed it was a purely psychological phenomenon. However, recent research has discovered that this is a true disorder with physical characteristics that can significantly impact quality of life.
Now, fibromyalgia is thought to be a disorder characterized by improper pain signaling. People with FM tend to be hypersensitive to pain when compared to people without FM.[9] Additionally, people with FM also tend to have higher brain levels of glutamate[10] (an excitatory neurotransmitter) and decreased levels of GABA[11] (an inhibitory neurotransmitter), which may play a role in pain hypersensitivity.
References
Examine Database References
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