The causes and mechanisms of fibromyalgia syndrome are not well known and medical analyzes and studies do not detect alterations that allow it to be diagnosed with certainty. It produces widespread pain and extreme fatigue, affecting locomotion and movements. Tips for adapting to the day-to-day life of those affected.
The fibromyalgia syndromeor SFMis a chronic and complex condition that causes generalized pains and one deep exhaustionaccompanied by a variety of other symptoms, as explained by the Clinic University of Navarra (CUN)with headquarters in Pamplona and Madrid.
They explain that SFM mainly affects the soft tissues of the bodywithout causing pain or swelling of the joints.
“Fibromyalgia shares some characteristics with the syndrome of chronic asthenia or chronic fatigue or ‘systemic disease due to exercise intolerance’, as it has recently been called”, according to the doctor Javier Nicolás García González, specialist in Internal Medicine at the CUN.
He adds that the mechanisms by which it occurs are not very well known and that no abnormalities are found in the analyzes or imaging studies (such as the person’s x-rays, which are normal), which allow the diagnosis to be established.
The symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome
Fibromyalgia syndrome is diagnosed in those patients with a generalized musculoskeletal pain picture and generally associated with other symptoms such as fatigue, headache and dryness of mucous membranes, of several months of evolution and in which other possible causes have been excluded, according to the CUN.
However, “the future of treating this disease is hopeful, as research into fibromyalgia is progressing rapidly. It’s only a matter of time before these advances translate into more effective treatments,” says Dr. García González.
According to the CUN, in addition to pain and exhaustion, fibromyalgia can also cause one or more typical symptomsthat affect the locomotion and mobility of the person:
- ankylosingly (stiffness of the body).
- paresthesia (numbness or tingling, for example, in the hands or feet)
- Imbalance (dizziness and/or balance problems).
This disease, which it mostly affects womenit can also cause “restless legs syndrome”: an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, especially when resting or resting, according to this same source.
A chronic disease
In more technical terms, fibromyalgia is considered a chronic problem that affects, among other areas, the locomotor or musculoskeletal systemseconds TK Home Solutions (TKHS)company specialized in technological solutions for people with physical difficulties to move and get around.
“It is difficult to explain what fibromyalgia is. It is a pain that does not know where it comes from or why it is there, but that stings the person day after day. It is a very complex disease and, above all, very hard both mentally and physically”, he explains Leandro Palomo, head of Health and Safety at TKHS.
He points out that the mobility specialists of this firm are aware of the huge challenge which represents this disease.
Practical advice for those living with fibromyalgia
That is why they have compiled a series of practical recommendations for everyday life, to help improve the quality of life of those living with fibromyalgia and to be able to endure the disease in the best possible way, especially “when it hits hardest”, according to Palomo.
Establish a routine
Since fibromyalgia sufferers have “good days and bad days” in terms of the severity of symptoms, “it is important establish a routine to help you assess your energy levels,” according to TKHS experts.
“If we are able to do our tasks normally, we will know that it is a good day; if it’s too hard for us to do them, it means that our body is asking us to stop”, they point out.
Take advantage of the ‘good days’
“When you have a chronic disease that incapacitates it is common to give up and think that nothing can be done”, according to TKHS.
To get out of this situation, they recommend doing everything you can and for as long as you can, on those days when you feel good.
That’s why it can be “useful to write down everything that was left undone on a ‘bad day’, to be able to complete it on a ‘good day’ when you’re feeling better. This will give us a great feeling of victory” they emphasize.
Don’t ‘force the machine’
According to the mobility specialists at TKHS, you need to use the energy, but also know when to stop and if it is not possible to do everything we had planned, it is better to leave it for later instead of forcing our body.
prepare the house
According to the experts “there may be days when you may not be able to climb the stairs or walk without difficulty”.
It is important to be foresight and have the home prepared to avoid falls and facilitate essential tasks, by removing loose cables, fixing carpets to the floor, having food prepared in advance or installing mobility technologies such as a ‘stair guard’.
It is also “recommended to have a ‘Plan B’ for certain tasks, such as agreeing with a relative to take the children to school if one day we cannot go there”, they add.
Do moderate and adapted exercise
The doctor who treats the person with fibromyalgia syndrome can design for them a physical exercise routine aimed at maintaining healthy and strong bones and muscles, which must be personalized, adapting to the patient’s energy levels.
Incorporate relaxation resources
The Stress is one of most frequent triggers of fibromyalgia pain flare-ups.
Moderate exercise, psychological therapy, and relaxing activities, such as enjoying an afternoon of reading or a walk in the countryside, will help maintain good mental health, which is essential to making living with fibromyalgia more bearable. according to mobility experts.
Use a good bed
The sleep problems are another one of most common symptoms of the fibromyalgia syndrome, so from TKHS they consider it essential to use “a good mattress and to rest and sleep in a quiet room, if possible without too much noise and with dim lights”.
They also recommend avoid stimulant drinks and caffeinebefore going to bed, as they will only make your sleep problems worse.