Many of you will be surprised to learn that children also suffer from fibromyalgia. It is not only children who are affected by this illness, but also a large percentage of teenagers. These diseases are unknown to the vast majority of them. If your children take this casually, it could be dangerous. There is no need to worry about this disorder as much as you think. Your doctor can provide instructions on how to control it.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder of the musculoskeletal system, and two other causes can be mood swings, fatigue, and sleep disruption. You may also suffer from chronic pain in different parts of the body, which is unbearable.
Have you ever noticed any signs of fibromyalgia in your child? In that case, you do not need to worry. Just schedule an appointment with your doctor and follow his instructions for treatment.
What is Juvenile Primary Fibromyalgia (JFM)?
There is some difference in fibromyalgia and JFM, so the JFM is mostly found in teenagers and children. It is actually the initial or primary level of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia, or juvenile primary fibromyalgia (JFM), is a condition that leads to pain in the musculoskeletal system and fatigue for children and teenagers. The cause of the JFM is still unknown. Pain amplification is usually associated with this condition as well as chronic widespread pain and pain amplification, but there are many other names that are often associated with it.
Teenagers are most likely to experience JFM. The likelihood of a woman being diagnosed with JFM is higher than that of a man. Many patients with JFM are also diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. A significant number of patients (up to 75%) have a family member who has fibromyalgia. Although patients with JFM experience more pain, the symptoms are very similar. Fatigue seen in both conditions should be reduced by treatment for JFM.
Primary fibromyalgia is characterized by the absence of any other chronic or debilitating condition. It is important to understand that some patients with other chronic diseases also develop similar symptoms, and that is called secondary fibromyalgia.
Teenage and childhood fibromyalgia: Why does it happen?
Fibromyalgia occurs not only in children but also in adults for so many reasons. Doctors aren't sure what causes the disease, but most believe the brains of people with it perceive pain differently. There might be times when they experience pain despite not normally being painful (such as under stress). Oftentimes, fibromyalgia seems to be set off by an event, such as an infection, an illness, or a physical injury. Genetic factors may also play a role. Because fibromyalgia often runs in families, people may be more likely to develop the disease if they carry a genetic mutation.
There's no doubt that certain genes make people more susceptible to fibromyalgia, but most researchers believe one or more other factors must play a role as well. The following triggers may occur:
● Stressful events on an emotional and psychological level
● Injury-related traumatic events
● Infections and other diseases
Symptoms and processes of fibromyalgia for children and adolescents
The symptoms of fibromyalgia are never the same from child to child. There can be mild or severe symptoms, which vary from part to part of the body. Chronic pain is the most common symptom in virtually all fibromyalgia sufferers.
● Starting in one area, such as the neck and shoulders, the pain may eventually spread to the entire body (both above and below the waist).
● Muscles and ligaments may be the focus of this condition or it may spread throughout the body.
● A dull, stabbing pain may accompany the sensation of numbness or tingling, as well as tingling.
● There are also tender points on the body where pressure is applied called "tender points".
Fibromyalgia is characterized by both chronic pain and the following symptoms:
● Tiredness resulting from even light exercise; fatigued for several hours after exercising
● You wake up in the morning feeling fatigued and un-refreshed from sleep disturbances
You might also experience
● A feeling of numbness in the feet and hands
● Menstrual periods that are painful
● memory or concentration problems
● Inflammation of the abdomen
● Stiffness in the morning
● Cold or heat sensitivity
● Pain in the head
● Anxiety
● Stress
Children and teens with fibromyalgia can receive treatment
Juvenile fibromyalgia can affect children physically, mentally, and emotionally. To treat every aspect of your child's condition, take a team approach. Pain specialists, psychologists, and physical therapists might care for your child, depending on their needs. A treatment program aims to minimize children's pain and improve sleep as well as return them to normal daily functioning.
Managing fibromyalgia
In teens and children, one of the most effective treatments is to use coping strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps children with fibromyalgia learn what triggers their pain and how to manage it. In addition to improving kids' ability to function, it also relieves their anxiety.
Medication
Fibromyalgia is being treated with medication. Children may also receive some of these medications by rheumatologists. Children, however, are not as well studied as adults when it comes to fibromyalgia drugs.
Exercising
In order to treat fibromyalgia, exercise is essential. Children can benefit from the guidance of a physical therapist who can teach them how to ease into an exercise program gently so they don't get hurt.
Treatment with physical therapy
Some of the muscle pain that children with fibromyalgia experience can be eased by physical therapy. Kids with fibromyalgia can stay symptom-free by getting enough sleep and exercising, eating healthy foods, and reducing their stress levels.
Taking preventative measures
Parents may wonder whether they could have prevented the development of fibromyalgia in their children, or look for ways to prevent it from occurring in any more of their children. Due to the fact that the causes of this condition are not fully understood, there is no known way to prevent it.
There are still steps you can take to prevent your child's quality of life from being negatively affected by fibromyalgia. As well as whatever medical therapy your child requires, you can help him establish good-health habits: a balanced diet, regular exercise, etc., so that the pain, fatigue, and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia will be reduced.
Complicated situations
It is unlikely that fibromyalgia will lead to physical problems for your child because it isn't harmful to their bodies. A child's fibromyalgia complications are more likely to be psychosocial, which means they could impact the way they feel, think, and interact.
Kids with chronic pain may seem to be healthy to others, especially when they experience chronic pain. The feelings of depression and anxiety are not uncommon in children with fibromyalgia. When they feel unwell, they may find it difficult to function at school, and stay home instead.
The majority of children will not suffer from these types of psychosocial complications. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, counsel and cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you recognize your thoughts and reactions which might contribute to your symptoms, and help you change them.
Future prospects
Despite fibromyalgia's lifelong nature, it does not progress over time. In fact, it can be treated, especially with an early diagnosis and aggressive treatment. It is more likely for children, compared to adults, to recover from their symptoms with treatment: up to 80 percent of kids can recover from their symptoms with appropriate therapy.