At Biosalud Day Hospital we are specialists in the treatment of fibromyalgia and of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and in this article we are going to explain the most common symptoms of these diseases and the differences between the two disorders.
The fibromyalgia is characterised by a series of diffuse musculoskeletal pains, although sometimes it is a generalised pain. In addition, prominent stiffness affects at least three specific anatomical areas and lasts for at least three months. This pain is often intense, but at the same time patients cannot explain it in words. Cold weather, strenuous physical exercise and stress aggravate the situation for fibromyalgia sufferers. All this leads to insomnia and sleep disturbances, which results in less rest. Waking up at night and interrupting the sleep phases prevents our body from recovering during the night hours.
The symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome is a kind of persistent tiredness, so persistent that it continues to be present after rest and consequently limits the patient's movements and conditions his or her life. Physical or intellectual activity (studying hard at exam time) severely worsens the symptoms.
Fatigue is often accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the lower and upper limbs, headaches or low fever, irritation in the throat area, high blood pressure or problems with thinking and reflection, memory difficulties, depression and other sleep disturbances.
Symptomatology is similar and sometimes they can be confused if the appropriate diagnosis is not made. As a general rule it can be said that when fatigue is accompanied by the pain of fibromyalgia, it becomes chronic fatigue syndrome.
Lyme disease: the great imitator according to experts
We cannot end this article without adding that about 80 per cent of fibromyalgia is actually a Lyme diseasewhich has been dubbed in the medical sector as the the great imitator. It is important not to confuse the two diseases because the treatments are different. Furthermore, Lyme disease has three phases: the early and localised phase, the disseminated phase and the late phase, and depending on where you are, you will have to deal with one therapy or another. A confusion with fibromyalgia can lead to the Lyme is discovered with a longer delay, and then it has worsened, something that would have been avoided with early diagnosis.
At Biosalud Day Hospital we are specialists in diagnosing Lyme disease as well as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. If you suspect you have any of these diseases, if you suffer from any of the symptoms described above, or if you have been bitten by a tick, we recommend that you visit us at the Biosalud clinicWe will analyse your case and recommend the medical-pharmacological treatment to be followed.
