There is no cure for Fibromyalgia. Treatment options are primarily aimed at relieving your pain, increasing restorative sleep, and improving the physical functioning of your body. There exists a number of treatment options including medication, therapy, and alternatives (such as acupuncture). Treatment Through Medication There exist a variety of medications that can be taken to relieve pain, and improve sleep, for those patients suffering from fibromyalgia, including: Anti-seizure drugs: These type of medications are usually used to treat epilepsy, but tend to be helpful in reducing a handful of pain conditions. For instance, Lyrica (pregabalin) has long been used to treat fibromyalgia, while Neurontin (gabapentin) has the potential to reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. Antidepressants: Your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine, which may help you get to sleep. Other medications such as Savella (milnacipran), and Cymbalta (Duloxetine) may help ease the fatigue and pain usually associated with fibromyalgia. Neuromodulating antiepileptics and antidepressants have also been known to substantially reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia. For instance, antidepressants such as norepinephrine and serotonin provide tolerability and efficacy to deal with fibromyalgia, as they re-uptake body inhibitors and relieve pain by increasing the activity of noradrenergic antinociceptive pathways. Pain relievers: Pain relievers such as Ultram (tramadol), naproxen, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are recommended to help ease the pain.

Owing to its complexity, FM remains a difficult condition to treat despite an increase in our understanding of FM over the years. Patients are rarely cured despite multidisciplinary treatment approaches. A greater understanding of pathogenesis of FM is needed to develop new therapeutics for enhancing current treatment strategies. Research is also needed to assess whether combination therapies provide better outcomes than monotherapy. Analysis of multicomponent treatment strategy for FM may work short time in improving symptoms but there is no evidence of its efficacy in the long term.

Catecholaminergic: Catecholaminergic pathways include neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Dopaminergic: Dopaminergic substances or actions increase dopamine-related activity in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter. Epstein Barr virus: Member of the herpes virus family. Symptoms of EBV infection can include fatigue, fever, and inflamed throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, enlarged spleen, swollen liver, and rash. GABA receptors: Class of receptors that respond to the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the chief inhibitory compound in the mature vertebrate central nervous system. GABA receptors influence cognition by coordinating with glutamatergic processes. Guanylate binding proteins (GBP): family of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) hydrolyzing enzymes that is induced by interferon (IFN)-gamma and are key to the protective immunity against microbial and viral pathogens. Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis: A central stress response system, HPA axis represents interaction between hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal glands that control reactions to stress and regulates many body processes, including digestion, the immune system, mood and emotions, levels of cortisol and other important stress related hormones. Lyme disease: Caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged deer tick. Osteoarthritis: A type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.

About GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) also known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder with a reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. This reflux causes the classic symptom of burning sensations in the upper chest and throat known as “heartburn” along with regurgitation of food or fluid into the back of the throat and mouth. Less common symptoms include a chronic cough, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing, all of which are signs of more acute GERD. GERD can present with erosive reflux disease (ERD) and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) as defined by the presence or absence of esophageal mucosal damage observed by endoscopy. GERD is a very common condition; according to the Gallup Organization Nation Survey, 24-40% of adults in the United States are affected by GERD.  Another recent study reported that the GERD prevalence is between 18%-27% in North America, 9%-25% in Europe, 3%-8% in East Asia, 8%-33.% in the Middle East, 11.6% in Australia, and 23.0% in South America. The economic burden of GERD is high, with estimated direct cost of $9 to $10 billion per year. In addition, GERD affects the quality of life and work productivity. GERD has been reported to be equal in males and females, but more common in overweight individuals.

GERD symptoms can be categorised into typical and atypical symptoms. With 60-85% of patients experiencing the classic symptoms of heartburn and or regurgitation. Typical GERD symptoms include: Heartburn or a burning sensation in the throat and upper chest Regurgitation of food from the stomach into the back of the mouth Burning sensation in the chest 30-60mins after eating or on laying down Atypical GERD symptoms include: Asthma can induce GERD Chronic cough Hoarseness Aspiration, which is choking on regurgitated foods Shortness of breath. Furthermore, chronic damage to the esophagus may increase the risk of developing Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with GERD. In a 5-year follow-up of subjects enrolled in the ProGERD study, it was seen that under routine clinical care, approximately 6% of patients with NERD progressed to BE. Obesity is the major risk factor for developing GERD.