The Difference between Fibromyalgia and Polymyalgia - A Confusing Matter

Owing to the similarity between the terms and symptoms, most people are bemused if there is a difference between fibromyalgia and polymyalgia. Once person is diagnosed with fibromyalgia or polymyalgia, he or she may become puzzled thinking whether these two are similar. Are you burned up of the difference between fibromyalgia and polymyalgia? Check this out!

Since the term ‘myalgia’ means ‘pain taking place in the muscles’, both of these conditions are featured by an intense sensation of muscle pain. Yet, there is still a difference between fibromyalgia and polymyalgia. However, let us find out if there are any noteworthy differences between fibromyalgia and polymyalgia.

Causes Are Different

When we try to seek the causes of each disease, there is a significant difference between fibromyalgia and polymyalgia. Even though the precise reason behind the progress of polymyalgia is still unidentified, many scientists convince that polymyalgia is another type of autoimmune disease, during which connective tissues develop into adversely exaggerated by the immune system itself.

Conversely, fibromyalgia develops as a result of maladaptive sensory processing emerging in the central nervous system (CNS). This is why people with fibromyalgia may become tremendously sensitive to the horrible stimuli present in the environment. These people are also very sensitive to ache.

Not All Symptoms Are the Same

The main symptoms of polymyalgia include severe form of stiffness and muscle pain in the neck, shoulders, and hips. People with polymyalgia may feel flu-like conditions as well. On the other hand, people suffering from fibromyalgia experience widespread pain all over the body. There are a large number of tender points in the body. Fatigue, headache, lack of concentration, poor quality of sleep and irregular bowel syndrome are the common symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Prevalence of the Complications

Both fibromyalgia and polymyalgia may occur more in women more than men, so there is no gender specific difference between fibromyalgia and polymyalgia. However, there is a difference in the age factor, since fibromyalgia can occur at any age, whereas, polymyalgia usually occurs in people over 50 years of age.

Treatment Methodologies

The principal mode of treatment for polymyalgia occupies relief from inflammation. Polymyalgia patients may be recommended to undertake Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), if they are suffering mild degree of polymyalgia. Prolonged usage of this drug may bring bad side effects like intestinal bleeding, stomach bleeding, high blood pressure, etc. Corticosteroids are administered as the severe type of polymyalgia.

In treating people with fibromyalgia, the administration of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs may out of action. However, narcotics including oxycodone, propoxyphene and codeine are found to be effective in reducing pain. Light exercise and healthy diet is a must to tag along in both the cases. There is no difference between fibromyalgia and polymyalgia in such conditions. For more information, please check out links on this Fibromyalgia Consultant site.