Fibromyalgia in Men
What is the prevalence of fibromyalgia in men? Almost 85% of people do not know about this disease. Because the symptoms are very common, we think that these are the causes of any other problem.
Most people think that this disease is common in women. But this is wrong because according to research men also suffering from this disorder is shocking news. However this is a low ratio as compared to women. Actually fibromyalgia is the disorder in the musculoskeletal and the other reasons may be mood swings, fatigue, and disturbance in sleeps. Even you feel chronic pain in different parts of the body and that pain is unbearable also.
Men are less likely to suffer from fibromyalgia
There are many reasons that men suffer less from women from this disorder. According to a 2001 review of the literature conducted by the National Fibromyalgia Association, nine women are diagnosed with the disease for every one man.
Other groups estimate that one man suffers from the disease for every eight women. Approximately 30% of men might be affected by fibromyalgia, according to these groups.
It may be more difficult for men to receive a fibromyalgia diagnosis, since fibromyalgia is mainly a female condition, even though some experts believe up to 1.5 million men in the United States may have the condition.
According to a report almost one-third of US adults are suffering from this disorder, which is actually equal to the 4 million individuals of the U.S population. It means the futures of 4 million families are facing this disorder. Because in this disorder you also need the support of your family so then you will be able to get over this problem.
Fibromyalgia and Men
The main cause of this disorder is the disturbance in the connectivity of brain cells. That may be in the men or women but the root of the disease is the disorder of the brain. Patients think that this is a physical disorder but it is totally a physiological disorder. Research says that there are so many cases of undiagnosed patients of fibromyalgia that they doubt that may be the ratio of those cases higher than women. So it shows that men feel embarrassed in getting treatment. That is totally an illogical reason; it’s about your health not about your ego.
Fibromyalgia is a difficult disorder to diagnose in men, because its symptoms can be associated with other conditions. As a result, most physicians will not suggest that a fibromyalgia diagnosis is the first step. For most doctors, it may not even be a topic of conversation. There are significant difficulties when it comes to treating these conditions, both physically and mentally. How is it possible that fibromyalgia even exists if your doctor won't even consider it?
Patients with undiagnosed conditions
There is a good chance that fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central nervous system that causes people to experience pain from stimuli that would normally not be painful. As many as 4.8 percent of men worldwide are thought to have this condition
It is also less likely for men to pass the traditional "tender points" test. A doctor makes a diagnosis as a result of looking for pain at 11 of 18 points across the body. Women usually have more tender spots than men, who experience more widespread pain than they do. New criteria, phasing out the tender points test, were released by the American College of Rheumatology in 2010.
An examination was conducted, and Clauw and his team conducted surveys in a county in Minnesota to identify potential sufferers. Men reported symptoms almost twenty times more frequently than women did.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia in men
There is a slight difference in the symptoms of the men and women. But that is also important to notice. So the primary symptoms are the following:
1. Widespread pain
Pain will be experienced throughout your body, as well as above and below your waist. This will be constant chronic pain, and you will have to deal with it continuously, that's why it is considered widespread pain.
2. Fatigue
Painters with this disorder complain that they sleep a lot but feel tired, and most of the time they have restless nights due to pain in their legs and sleep apnea.
3. Cognitive Difficulties
"Fibro fog" affects the ability to focus, pay attention, and concentrate on mental tasks.
The other common symptoms in men are:
● Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD)
● Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
● Multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis
● Fatigue syndrome, chronic fatigue
● Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
● Sensitivity to multiple chemicals
● Symptoms of interstitial cystitis
● The restless legs syndrome
● Lyme disease
Fibromyalgia Treatment
There are no specific treatments for fibromyalgia yet, but scientists are still researching the condition. A patient's potential for the treatment determines the treatment's success. Because a high potential person will receive high quality treatment and feel the best- In the event of low potential, however, doctors will recommend exercises and medicines. The type of treatment which is discussed below also depends on the symptoms that the patient has, so there are a variety of options available:
Changes in our lifestyles
Changing certain aspects of your lifestyle can help prevent flare-ups. The importance of getting enough good-quality sleep cannot be overstated. It is true that many men resist this, due to the stigma about being lazy, but it can be countered with a healthy dose of exercise three or four hours before bed. Regular exercise promotes good sleep and combats the perception of laziness.
Any chronic pain condition can also be managed by eating a healthy diet. A healthy diet should include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and lean, healthy protein. Turmeric, tart cherries, and ginger are also anti-inflammatory foods that may help ease pain when it flares up.
Various treatments available
Weightless treatment in float tanks can ease pain and stress after one session.
In recent research, acupuncture has been found to be effective in easing painful symptoms and improving mobility.
An occasional light massage can contribute to good circulation, reduce pain, and relieve stress.
Biofeedback teaches patients how to recognize, monitor, and control their body's physical response to pain. Through this, the body will be able to adjust itself in a positive manner.
In mindfulness meditation, a person doesn't so much alleviate pain as ease their response to it.
Fibromyalgia Treatment Options
Medications can help ease painful flare-ups in addition to holistic treatments. Fibromyalgia medications are currently only approved for three conditions: