2016

Lifestyle Approaches to Treating Fibromyalgia PainDr. Edwin Perez, Anesthesiologist & Pain Management Doctor

Let’s talk about fibromyalgia

✤ It’s a musculoskeletal condition that affects more than 12 million Americans

✤ Characterized by a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, fibromyalgia often sets off feelings of depression and anxiety

✤ It’s the the most common musculoskeletal condition after osteoarthritis, but it is still often misdiagnosed and misunderstood by the masses.

Treatment

✤ There are several types of medications that may help patients combat fibromyalgia, such as

✤ Anticonvulsants

✤ Antidepressants

✤ Sleep medication

✤ However, only three specific drugs have been approved by the FDA, which target treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and not the condition as a whole

FDA-Approved Treatments

✤ Lyrica: a medication used to treat pain caused by nerve damage.

✤ Cymbalta: a medication classified as a SNRI, or a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and is used to treat depression and anxiety as well as relive nerve pain.

✤ Savella: like Cymbalta, it is also classified as an SNRI, and is known to relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia as well as improve physical function.

Because extensive research is yet to be done on this condition, those suffering from chronic pain need to understand the importance of living an overall healthy life

Establishing a healthy and active lifestyle and incorporating pain-fighting foods is key to managing and combating its debilitating symptoms.

Exercise Helps!

✤ One of the best ways to manage and improve fibromyalgia pain is exercise

✤ While it may seem to irritate your aching joints and muscles, trust that it will absolutely aid in your pain management

✤ Exercise has been found to uplift moods and aid in more-restful sleep

Regular exercise, such as aerobics and swimming, is known to improve blood flow to muscles, can reduces levels stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, and it stimulates the production of endorphins, (which are linked to the body’s natural painkillers and mood-enhancement elevators). Moreover, exercise also increases production of serotonin, which in turn will help with mood-stabilization and relaxation.

2016

To learn more, visit Dr. Edwin Perez’s anesthesiology & pain management blog at:http://dredwinperez.org