What kind of md treats fibromyalgia

This is because newer studies link fibromyalgia to more blood flow in certain areas of the brain that manage pain, and also to unusual levels of certain brain chemicals such as neurotransmitters. Other doctors who may treat fibromyalgia include pain specialists. In addition, your doctor may recommend that you seek treatment with a psychiatrist, rehab specialist, or a physical therapist. How many people have fibromyalgia?

Jeanne Morrison, PhD. Fibromyalgia, a chronic ongoing condition characterized by muscle pain and tenderness, fatigue and Is fibromyalgia a degenerative disease? In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Elsevier; Rochester, Minn. Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment of fibromyalgia in adults not responsive to initial therapies. Fibromyalgia: In depth. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Fibromyalgia: The road to wellness.

Wolfe F, et al. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. Mohabbat AB expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Harte SE, et al. The neurobiology of central sensitization. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research. Related Cupping therapy: Can it relieve fibromyalgia pain? Fibromyalgia and acupuncture Fibromyalgia and Neurontin Fibromyalgia or not?

Fibromyalgia pain: Options for coping Fibromyalgia: Does exercise help or hurt? Fibromyalgia: Linked to other health problems? This is one of the best ways to manage the pain.

Taking medicine, if your symptoms bother you. Going to counseling. This can help you cope with long-term chronic pain.

Taking care of yourself. Good self-care includes finding better ways to handle stress, having good sleep habits, and talking to your doctor if you have symptoms of depression.

Health Tools Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition. Cause Fibromyalgia is a syndrome—a set of symptoms that occur together. Some ideas include: Nerve cells may be too sensitive.

Symptoms The symptoms of fibromyalgia vary from person to person. The most common symptoms are: Widespread deep or burning pain above and below your waist and on the right and left sides of your body.

Pain is more common in the trunk , neck, low back, hips, and shoulders. It usually gets worse gradually and can interfere with even simple daily activities.

Other symptoms that can occur along with pain include: Fatigue that interferes with work and daily activities. Sleep problems, such as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or waking up feeling tired. Morning stiffness lasting less than an hour. Constipation or diarrhea related to irritable bowel syndrome. Memory problems and trouble concentrating. Anxiety or depression. What Happens For most people, fibromyalgia seems to involve a cycle of muscle pain, increased sensitivity to pain, and inactivity that may be made worse by sleep problems and fatigue.

Increasing pain causes a person to be less physically active. Muscles that aren't exercised regularly are more likely to be irritated during activity. And it may be that people with fibromyalgia are more sensitive to pain or have muscles that are more easily irritated. The irritated muscles are painful.

Some doctors think that the muscles of people with fibromyalgia stay sore because they don't repair themselves as well as they should. Muscle pain, sometimes occurring with disrupted sleep and daytime fatigue, leads to less and less activity. What Increases Your Risk Certain things may make you more likely to have fibromyalgia. Things that increase your risk risk factors include: Being female.

Having certain health problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, mononucleosis , or depression. Having been through a traumatic event such as a car accident. Having a family history of fibromyalgia. When should you call your doctor? If not diagnosed Call your doctor if you have had the following symptoms for more than 6 weeks without an obvious cause. Widespread muscle tenderness and pain, particularly on both sides of the body and both above and below the waist Disturbed sleep tossing, turning, waking up frequently during the night and waking up feeling tired and unrested Muscle and joint stiffness that doesn't get better when you move around If diagnosed If you have fibromyalgia, call your doctor if you have: Symptoms of depression, such as a loss of interest in things you usually enjoy or changes in eating and sleeping habits.

These can often be treated if you tell your doctor about them. New symptoms or existing symptoms get worse. Your doctor may need to reassess your treatment, such as adjust your medicines or prescribe different ones. Who to see Health professionals who may be able to help you with fibromyalgia include: Family medicine physicians. Nurse practitioners. Physician assistants. You may need to see a specialist who has experience with fibromyalgia. These include: Rheumatologists , who have the most experience with diagnosing fibromyalgia.

Pain management specialists , who have experience with treatment. Exams and Tests There are no specific tests that can confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Doctors use a set of criteria to diagnose fibromyalgia. These include: Widespread pain. Pain is considered to be widespread if it is above and below your waist and on the right and left sides of your body.

Other symptoms such as fatigue, trouble sleeping or feeling unrefreshed in the morning, and trouble thinking. If these symptoms are severe, widespread pain may not be as important in the diagnosis. Symptoms that have lasted for at least 3 months. No other medical explanation for why you feel this way for example, another health condition or disease.

Treatment Overview There are many steps you can take to manage your symptoms. The treatment you need or want may be based on: How bad your symptoms are. Whether the condition is disrupting your daily life. What kinds of changes in your life you are willing and able to make. Exercise Getting consistent exercise, especially cardiovascular exercise, is one of the best ways to manage fibromyalgia. Prevention Fibromyalgia can't be prevented or cured.

Home Treatment Home treatment is the most important part of treating fibromyalgia. There are many things you can do over time to treat your symptoms: Exercise regularly. Of all the treatments for fibromyalgia, cardiovascular aerobic exercise may have the most benefit in reducing pain and other symptoms and in improving your overall condition. Work with a physical therapist or other professional who has expertise with fibromyalgia to build an exercise program that works for you.

And then stay with it. Try to avoid or limit your exposure to "triggers" or "stressors" that make your symptoms worse. Common triggers include cold or damp weather, poor sleep, fatigue, physical or emotional stress, and being too active. Improve sleep. Sleep disturbances seem to both cause and result from some of the other symptoms of fibromyalgia, such as pain.

Learn good sleep habits. And try to get enough sleep each night. Relieve pain. Heat therapy, massage, gentle exercise, and short-term use of nonprescription pain relievers may be helpful. Reduce stress. Finding healthy ways to cope with stress may help reduce your pain.

Learn about fibromyalgia. The more you know about fibromyalgia, the more control you will have over your symptoms. People who feel more in control also tend to be more active and report less pain and other symptoms. Learn ways to manage your memory problems. Feeling as though you are not thinking clearly—sometimes called "fibro fog"—increases stress and can make memory problems worse.

Simple things like writing yourself notes can help you feel more in control. Have a good-health attitude , along with these other healthy habits. It's hard to stay positive when you don't feel well.

But a good attitude helps you focus less on your challenges and feel more healthy. Medications Medicines are part of the long-term treatment of fibromyalgia. Medicine choices Certain types of medicines may be used to improve sleep, relieve pain and fatigue, and, in some cases, treat depression. Medicines used for fibromyalgia include: Cyclobenzaprine Amrix. Antidepressants , such as fluoxetine Prozac , milnacipran Savella , bupropion Wellbutrin , and amitriptyline.

Anticonvulsants seizure medicines , such as pregabalin Lyrica. Other Treatment Counseling The pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia can get worse during stressful times. Here are some techniques you can try on your own or with help from a therapist or counselor trained in muscle relaxation, meditation, biofeedback, or cognitive-behavioral therapy: Biofeedback Breathing Exercises for Relaxation Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pain Management Doing Guided Imagery to Relax Doing Progressive Muscle Relaxation Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Stop Negative Thoughts: Getting Started Complementary therapy Complementary treatments that have been used to treat fibromyalgia include: Acupuncture.