Fibromyalgia: All is not Lost

Fibromyalgia is a medical disorder which leads to chronic pain in the muscles and connective tissues of the human body. It is considered to be either a musculoskeletal disease or a neuropsychiatric condition. The symptoms of fibromyalgia are, however, not limited to muscle and tissue pain but include a whole set of other disorders for instance unbearable fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. Other problems that are reported by patients are difficulty with swallowing, bowel and bladder abnormalities, numbness and tingling, and cognitive dysfunction. It is estimated that this disease affects two to four per cent of the population, affecting more females than males (the ratio being 9:1)

Unlike many diseases, fibromyalgia has no permanent cure yet. Patients can only get treatment to ease their symptoms and get temporary relief. The primary requirement of a fibromyalgia patient is the validation of the disease in the eyes of his/her family and friends. Medicines like antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, medicines to help you sleep, painkillers etc are recommended and prescribed by physicians in order to aid in improving the condition of the patients. Apart from this, various methods of treating the disease exist. Apart from the customary allopathic approach to the treatment of the disease, other ways also exist, natural remedies, ayurvedic treatment and Acupuncture being some of them. A multifaceted treatment plan is, however, the best approach for treating this disease. It involves various medicines, exercise, proper nutrition, strength training and psychological and behavioral approaches to decrease stress levels and encourage self-efficacy and self-management (eg, relaxation training, activity pacing, visual imagery, distraction).
Even though scientists have not been able to come up with a permanent and fool-proof cure for fibromyalgia yet, proper treatment does go a long way in making life better for the patients.