Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects around 4 million adults in the US alone. This condition causes pain and stiffness in muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other tissues of the musculoskeletal system. Unfortunately, as of yet, there is no known cure for this disease. However, there are some ways healthcare providers can manage and treat the symptoms.
This article will explore what stem cell therapy is and how it can help patients with fibromyalgia. It will also look at some of the symptoms and causes of this disease.
What exactly causes fibromyalgia to emerge?
Before moving on to the respective treatment, let’s first understand what causes fibromyalgia.
Age and gender
Anyone can get it, but females are more likely to do so. The condition can start at any age, but it usually manifests between the ages of 20-55.
Other diseases
If the patient has other bone disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, or chronic body aches, they may be more at risk for fibromyalgia.
Neural changes
Research and brain imaging studies reveal that the disease alters how your brain and spinal cord receive painful and non-painful impulses and amplifies your pain experience. This can explain why patients face weariness, sleep disruptions, and cognitive issues.
Family history
It is common for fibromyalgia to run in families. However, the illness can also strike individuals with no known family members having the condition.
Other factors
The definitive cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Still, it can be caused by an injury or physical trauma to the body, or it may happen after a stressful event such as childbirth. Some emotional factors, such as stress, can also lead to the disease.
Knowing about the causes is well and good, but it warrants one particular question; what are the first signs of fibromyalgia?
What to expect from fibromyalgia symptoms?
Fibromyalgia symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people experience all of them, while others only experience one or two. Considering the magnitude of this disease, it is important to understand what are the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Some of them act as early warning signs, including:
- Chronic pain in the neck, back, hips, and shoulders.
- Pain all over the body, including deep muscle pain and soreness.
- Constant fatigue or feelings of exhaustion.
- Sleep problems, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep through the night.
- Memory problems, such as trouble remembering recent events.
- Cognitive impairments such as difficulty in paying focus or being attentive.
The list doesn’t stop here; some additional symptoms include:
- Sensitivity to touch
- Tingling in limbs
- Numbness in body parts
- Bruxism
- Digestive issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Joint disorders
- Brain fog
- Headaches
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are so broad, and no specific lab tests or X-rays can identify it. Instead, doctors will look for symptoms like muscle and joint stiffness, fatigue, and sleep problems.
Fibromyalgia and stem cell therapy
Fibromyalgia treatment can include taking prescription drugs, physical therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. These treatments are not always effective as the long-term side effects of such medication outweigh the temporary positive results.
On the other hand, stem cell therapy is a promising treatment for fibromyalgia, as it can help regenerate damaged tissue or cells and relieve pain, showing persistent long-term results.
Stem cells are found in most body tissues, including bone marrow, fat tissue, and umbilical cord blood. They have the ability to divide into more specialized cells like muscle or nerve cells and improve the symptoms of many health conditions.
How do stem cells for fibromyalgia work?
Stem cells have solved the big question of how to treat fibromyalgia effectively with no side effects.
Stem cells are the basic building blocks of all tissues in the body, and they can be used to treat various diseases. They can help heal damaged tissues by replacing them with healthy cells. As well, stem cells can develop into many different types of cells in the body, such as bone, muscle, or nerve cells. These are taken from your own bone marrow or fat tissue, or from the donor. They are then purified and injected into your joint or muscle to help repair it, and relieve inflammation and pain.
This is how it works: stem cells for fibromyalgia release growth factors and cytokines, which help reduce pain and inflammation around the nerves. This helps prevent pain signals from reaching your brain. This, in turn, lessens your symptoms.
Because they have immunoregulatory abilities, they can lessen the immune system’s reaction, making them a great candidate for managing autoimmune disorders.
How exactly do patients benefit from stem cell treatment in fibromyalgia?
Stem cell treatment for fibromyalgia is a relatively new and promising approach. It can be used to treat the pain and inflammation associated with this chronic condition.
A case study shows a 55-year-old male seed farmer diagnosed with fibromyalgia with difficulties in his work and chores and complaints of severe neck and back pain. He could not lift, bend, push, or pull any more weight than 8 lbs without experiencing excruciating pain. After getting stem cell therapy, the farmer could return to work with 100% relief from fibromyalgia.
There are many misconceptions about what stem cells are and how they work. They can come from any body part and even from other people. Given that these cells can be developed into practically every type of cell in the body, the possibilities they provide are endless.
Conclusion
It is estimated that about 2% of the US population has fibromyalgia, but it is more common in women than in men. The effectiveness of stem cells in fibromyalgia treatment has been demonstrated in several encouraging case reports that reveal how patients have successfully fought off their symptoms on their way to healthier lives. At the present time, this approach can be considered an alternative to medications prescribed for the disorder, with virtually no side effects and contraindications.
