overview
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by generalized musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, and mood problems. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and non-painful signals.
Fibromyalgia is widely viewed as a disease that affects adults. However, fibromyalgia also occurs in children and adolescents. It is estimated that 2% to 6% of school children, mostly teenage girls, have adolescent fibromyalgia. It is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 13 and 15 years.
symptom
In some children, symptoms begin after a triggering event, such as: B. physical trauma, surgery, infection or persistent psychological stress. In other children, symptoms build up gradually over time without a single triggering event occurring.
In children with fibromyalgia, signs and symptoms include:
Generalized pain. Pain associated with fibromyalgia is often described as a dull ache that lasts for at least three months. To be generalized, the pain must appear on both sides of your body, as well as above and below your waist.
A headache. The majority of children with fibromyalgia experience frequent headaches.
Sleep disorders. Despite complaints of severe fatigue, it often takes these children an hour or more to fall asleep. Even when they do fall asleep, many have difficulty maintaining sleep and waking up at night.
Tired. People with fibromyalgia often wake up tired, even after sleeping for long periods of time. Many children with fibromyalgia have other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome.
Other problems. In addition to constipation or diarrhea, children with fibromyalgia can experience pain or cramps in the lower abdomen. You may also have trouble paying attention or focusing. Depression and anxiety are common in people with fibromyalgia.
The reasons
Doctors don’t know why some people get fibromyalgia and others don’t. There appears to be a genetic component as the disease usually runs in families. In some people, it can be triggered by certain events, injuries, or illnesses.
Risk factors
Risk factors for fibromyalgia are:
Their gender-specific fibromyalgia is diagnosed more often in girls and women.
Family history. You may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia if a parent or sibling has it too.
Rheumatic disease. If you have a rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, you are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
