Types of Fibromyalgia Pain

Fibromyalgia can be very difficult to deal with and may significantly impact someone’s life. This condition presents as period of fatigue, pain all over the body, cognitive problems, depression, headaches, and other less common symptoms. Our fibromyalgia doctors at [company name] are here to help you combat all of your symptoms to help you live as normal of a life as possible.

There are many opinions on the cause of fibromyalgia. Some researchers think that genetics determine if someone develops this condition while others believe it is caused from infections or another type of trauma or illness. Symptoms can begin after a surgery, physical trauma, infection, or any significant stress. In other cases, symptoms appear over time with no single triggering event. By having such a variety how the condition begins, it is difficult for researchers to reach one single conclusion. While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, a variety of medicines can help control some of the symptoms. There has also been studies that have found that relaxation, stress-reduction activities, and exercise can also help with pain.

With fibromyalgia, it is common to be associated with pain. However, it is not just one type of pain those suffering with fibromyalgia face; those with fibromyalgia know they experience several types of pain.

Hyperalgesia

This was can be broken down to show exactly what it means: “hyper” meaning excess and “algesia” meaning pain. This is the medical term for any pain that is amplified in fibromyalgia. The brains of those with fibromyalgia seem to take normal pain levels and signals and amplify them, making them exponentially more severe than they otherwise would be. When your brain signals to the rest of your body that the pain is severe, your body is filled with severe pain.

Allodynia

One symptom of fibromyalgia is very peculiar. Allodynia is when mild pressure from gentle touches, massages, or clothing causes pain. This is why one common attribute of fibromyalgia is that those with it experience skin that is painful to touch. It has been commonly described as having a bad sunburn.

Allodynia is not a common ailment of many diseases. The only conditions it is associated with are shingles, migraines, and neuropathy. It is believed to be the hypersensitive reaction that could come from central sensitization which is associated with fibromyalgia. The pain signals start in the nociceptors, specialized nerves, which detect information regarding temperature and painful stimuli from the skin.

Paresthesia

Paresthesias are nerve sensations that typically feel like tingling, itching, burning, crawling, or numbness. These sensations can sometimes be painful. Paresthesias can also occur in patients with chemotherapy drugs, migraines, peripheral neuropathy, and multiple sclerosis.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are suffering through the pain of fibromyalgia, make an appointment with a fibromyalgia doctor Chicago, IL residents trust. It is difficult to live with the pain caused by fibromyalgia, especially when it’s entirely unpredictable. It is important to learn about your pain and what triggers it so you can work with your doctor to help manage it.

Thank you to our contributors at WholeHealth Chicago for the above information.