
Almost everyone has experienced muscle pain at some point. The pain can be widespread and so severe, causing a lot of discomfort in your whole body for more than three months, thus affecting your daily life. Luckily fibromyalgia in Houston can be managed to help you continue with your everyday life.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
Co-existing conditions including the following may trigger symptoms of fibromyalgia:
- Physical trauma
- Psychological stress
- Depression
- Low concentration, migraines, and other types of headaches
- Widespread pain
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Postural tachycardia syndrome
- Painful bladder syndrome
How fibromyalgia condition is diagnosed
Your doctor will go through your medical history to get enough information to determine your condition. The main factor needed for the diagnosis is if you have had widespread pain throughout your body for at least three months.
Your doctor will also examine if you have pain in your left upper region including your shoulder, arm, or jaw, your right upper part including the shoulder, arm or jaw, your left lower area including hip, buttock, or leg, your right lower region including the leg, buttock, or hip, and your axial region which includes the chest or abdomen, neck, and back.
To rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms, your doctor may recommend some tests including:
- Thyroid function tests
- Complete blood count
- Rheumatoid factor
- Antinuclear antibody
- Vitamin D
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- Celiac serology
Fibromyalgia treatment
Your doctor will let you know that treatment for fibromyalgia includes both medication and self-care strategies. More emphasis is on minimizing symptoms and improving general health.
Use of medications
Antidepressants
Your doctor may recommend some antidepressants to help ease the pain and fatigue associated with your condition. Your doctor may also prescribe other medications to help relax your muscles and promote sleep.
Pain relief medications
Your doctor may recommend over–the–counter pain relievers, which are helpful.
Therapies
Your doctor will recommend a variety of different therapies to help reduce the effect that fibromyalgia has on your body and your life; these therapies include:
Occupational therapy
Your doctor may recommend occupational therapy to help you make adjustments to your work area or the way you perform specific tasks to cause less stress on your body.
Counseling
Your doctor can also recommend you talk with a counselor to help strengthen your belief in your abilities and to teach you strategies for dealing with stressful situations.
Physical therapy
Your physical therapist may teach you exercises that will improve your strength, flexibility, and stamina. Water-based activities might be beneficial.
Exercise plan
Your doctor may recommend an exercise plan to relieve mild symptoms. When you start to exercise, you may increase your pain, but it decreases symptoms gradually and regularly. Appropriate activities may include walking, swimming, biking, and water aerobics.
With the help of your physical therapist, you can develop a home exercise program. Other helpful exercises include stretching, good posture, and relaxation.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Your doctor may recommend you eat healthy foods, limit your caffeine intake, and if you usually use tobacco, your doctor will advise you to stop.
For more details on managing your fibromyalgia condition, call or book an appointment online with Houston Pain Specialists.