Fibromyalgia Cases Rising In Delhi, Know The Early Warning Signs

In the past few months, Delhi has been struggling with the third wave of Covid pandemic. However, there has also been a spike in the number of fibromyalgia cases, a painful condition which causes fatigue and pain in joints of elbows, legs, shoulder, and even head pain. This disorder can intervene with an individual's day to day tasks. It is important to take medication as prescribed by the doctor at the right time. Along with medical help, these patients should take a balanced diet, exercise, sleep properly and practice meditation to manage this health condition. Onlymyhealth editorial team spoke to Dr. Gaurav Khera, Orthopedic Surgeon (Karol Bagh) Apollo Spectra Delhi, to know about these cases rising in India and the early warning symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia cases rising in Delhi

There are many health conditions that have come up during the Covid pandemic, and one of them is Fibromyalgia. “It is a painful and chronic condition which causes muscle ache along with fatigue, sleeping difficulty, mood swings, and even memory issues. Therefore, the patients will notice pain in the shoulders, chest, elbows, and joints. In addition, one may also go through constant fatigue, stress and anxiety, said Dr. Gaurav Khera.

Dr. Khera further added, “This condition is even reported in patients post recovering from Covid-19 infection. In long COVID patients, there are several factors that can put them at a high risk of developing fibromyalgia. Obesity and the treatment using supplemental oxygen of COVID-19 can also lead to this condition. But, the there is no known reason behind its occurrence."

Dr. Khera also said, “It is a condition in which an individual experiences pain in the muscles, soft tissue, and veins of the body. Many people might also have anxiety and depression, difficulties in concentration, frequently upset stomach, numbness and tingling in hands and feet. The exact cause of this condition is still not known. However, it can be genetic as well. Women are at a higher risk of getting diagnosed with this condition as compared to men. It can be more common in males if obesity is a factor."

Also read: What Is Fibromyalgia? Know All About Its Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis And Treatment

Early warning signs of fibromyalgia

The symptoms of this disorder mostly look similar to arthritis, but it does not cause any joint or muscle inflammation. It affects the soft tissue and not your joints. Fibromyalgia is also a common long covid symptom, also called FibroCovid. It is usually seen in women as compared to men. Here are the early warning signs of fibromyalgia:

1. Pain in a pressure point

One early and the most common symptom of fibromyalgia is muscle pain all over the body. The pain radiates to other parts but there might be some pressure points as well. These tender points might be difficult to treat with the help of medications. The pain may usually occur on both sides of your body and above and below the waist.

2. Shivering and numbness

Fibromyalgia can lead to weakness in the body as it impact all your muscles at once, or there can be weakness in a specific muscle. Muscles might get easily exhausted and cause trembling or twitching. People suffering from fibromyalgia may experience a feeling of numbness and tingling in their hands, arms, feet, legs or even in the face. If you experience this early warning symptom, then it is important to visit a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Also read: Amazing home remedies for fibromyalgia pain

3. Temperature and smell sensitive

There is a chance that you may become extremely sensitive to temperature changes or strong scents in the environment. After this warning sign, it is not advised to wait long enough without proper diagnosis and treatment. According to a new research, this condition can make people more sensitive to both heat and sound as well.

"Fibromyalgia is not known as a life-threatening disorder and with some simple changes in your lifestyle such as regular exercise, limiting alcohol, meditation or diet modifications, a person can recover quickly. Take prescribed medicines for nerve pain, cognitive behavioral therapy, and psychotherapy. Try to take a healthy diet and proper sleep, stay physically active, reduce stress by practicing yoga and meditation and maintain healthy weight,” added Dr. Khera.