Juvenile Fibromyalgia - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Juvenile Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by musculoskeletal pain with painful tender points on palpation, accompanied by sleep disturbances, fatigue, chronic headache, irritable bowel syndrome, subjective soft tissue swelling, and mood issues. It is a chronic condition commonly assumed to be occurring in adults, but it also occurs in children and adolescents. Juvenile fibromyalgia usually affects 2% to 6% of school children and is commonly diagnosed between 13 to 15 years of age.

Who All Are Affected by Fibromyalgia?

About two percent of the population is affected by fibromyalgia. Most fibromyalgia cases are diagnosed in women, but even men and children can be affected.

What Causes Juvenile Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia can be triggered by stressful events like emotional stress or physical stress. Possible triggering factors are a viral infection, an injury, having an operation, giving birth, being in an abusive relationship, breakdown in a relationship, and the loved one's death. It is not clear why people get fibromyalgia, but there are some factors which can cause juvenile fibromyalgia they are:

• Chemical Imbalances - Low levels of hormones like serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline are seen in people with juvenile fibromyalgia. These hormones regulate things like:

1. Mood.

2. Appetite.

3. Behavior.

4. Sleep.

5. Response to stressful situations.

• Abnormal Pain Messages - The central nervous system transmits information all over the body by specialized cells. The changes in the chemical composition in the nervous system could cause fibromyalgia, as a result of which there is a constant feeling of pain or extreme sensitivity to pain.

• Sleep Problems - Disturbed sleep patterns are a possible cause of fibromyalgia.

• Genetics.

What Are the Symptoms of Juvenile Fibromyalgia?

The symptoms of fibromyalgia may include:

• Widespread pain.

• Dull pain that lasted for at least three months.

• Headaches are seen in the majority of children who have fibromyalgia.

• Fatigue.

• Sleep disturbances.

• Lack of energy.

• Anxiety.

• Trouble in concentrating and memory problems.

• Muscle cramps or twitches.

• Numbness or tingling in the feet and hands.

How to Diagnose Juvenile Fibromyalgia?

If a young person has musculoskeletal pain widespread in the body above and below the waist for at least three months, they usually have fibromyalgia. The doctor may ask for an x-ray and blood test to rule out the other problems which cause the symptoms.

How to Treat Juvenile Fibromyalgia?

The treatment for Juvenile fibromyalgia includes counseling, graded exercise therapy, and medication.

• Counseling - Cognitive behavioral therapy is like talk therapy, useful in treating chronic pain in children. It helps them manage their pain using techniques like a distraction, relaxation-based treatments and thought stopping. These techniques can help to reduce depression and disability. Combining cognitive-behavioral therapy and an exercise program will be beneficial in the treatment of juvenile fibromyalgia.

• Graded Exercise Therapy - Children who have fibromyalgia will avoid activity because of the fear of getting more pain. This therapy starts with strength-training exercises to improve posture, gait, and balance. Activities like swimming, water aerobics, and biking can be added gradually.

• Medications - It can help to reduce pain in fibromyalgia. But the use of drugs is limited in the treatment of juvenile fibromyalgia. However, the medicines used in adults in the treatment of fibromyalgia are also effective in children. The choices of medications include:

1. Antidepressants like Milnacipran and Duloxetine can help reduce pain and fatigue, and drug-like Amitriptyline helps reduce pain and promote sleep. Other drugs like Venlafaxine, Bupropion, and Fluoxetine can also be given.

2. Anti-seizure drugs are useful in treating epilepsy and are often used to reduce certain types of pain. Pregabalin and Gabapentin are given to adults with fibromyalgia.

What are the Home Remedies for Juvenile Fibromyalgia?

1. Stress Management - In this, the patient should avoid overexertion or emotional stress and allow time for themselves to relax. Stress management techniques like meditation and deep-breathing exercises can be done.

2. Sleep Hygiene - Having sufficient sleep is essential because fatigue is the main component of fibromyalgia. In addition to allowing enough time for rest, they should also practice good sleep habits like going to bed and getting up from the bed at the same time every day, limiting digital screen time during the night time, and limiting daytime napping.

3. Regular Exercise - Initially, the exercise may increase the pain, but doing it gradually and regularly can reduce the symptoms. Activities may include swimming, walking, biking, and water aerobics. Relaxation, stretching, and good posture exercises are also helpful.

4. Pace Yourself - Keeping the activity on the same level is significant. Overdoing the exercise on a good day and self-limiting when there is flaring of symptoms should be avoided.

5. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle - Limiting caffeine intake and eating healthy foods should be practiced.

What are the Alternative Medicine for Juvenile Fibromyalgia?

Deep breathing, yoga, meditations, slow movements, and relaxation can be practiced. These practices can help to treat sleep problems, depression, and fatigue. Techniques like massage and acupuncture can also be practiced.

What Are the Risk Factors for Juvenile Fibromyalgia?

The risk factors for juvenile fibromyalgia may include:

• Sex.

• Repetitive injuries.

• Illness like viral infections.

• Family history.

• Obesity.

• Post-traumatic stress disorders.

What Are the Complications of Juvenile Fibromyalgia?

If fibromyalgia is left untreated, the symptoms such as fatigue, chronic pain, depression, and headaches, can excruciatingly worsen over time. Anxiety and mood disorders can also become worse if you do not treat fibromyalgia.

What Are the Differential Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia?

• Like fibromyalgia, lupus affects women primarily, who experience pain in their joints, fatigue, memory issues, headaches, and stomachaches.

• Rheumatoid arthritis.

• Axial spondyloarthritis.

• Thyroid disease.

• Multiple sclerosis.

• Diabetes.

• Anemia.

• Polymyalgia rheumatica.

Conclusion

Fibromyalgia is often associated with pain, fatigue and poor sleep quality which can affect normal day-to-day activities. Anyone can get affected by this disease and the symptoms are similar to other health conditions. This can also result in depression and health-related anxiety. Hence proper knowledge about the disease is required. You can consult an online doctor if you need more information on this.