Fibromyalgia and Lupus are syndromes or collection of diseases that shows resembling symptoms like muscle and joint pain, and tiredness in a person.
The symptoms of both diseases occur mostly in women at the age of childbearing. Thus one disease is mistaken for the other, but there are differences in them with which one can ascertain or identify Fibromyalgia from Lupus.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that causes a patient to undergo tiredness, anxiety, depression, menstrual cramps, severe headache, sleep disorder, muscle pain, numbness in the feet and hands, dry eyes, and stomach problems. The patient also finds it difficult to concentrate, which is medically termed as fibro fog. Everyone suffering from Fibromyalgia shows symptoms of resignation from life.
Lupus is a syndrome or collection of chronic disease which causes a patient to undergo pain in different parts of the body organs and joints.
In some cases, it causes illness and damage to the skin and the patient suffers from abnormal inflammation of skin. Lupus can also cause arthritis, and skin rashes.
Fibromyalgia is a diseases caused by combination of many physical and emotional stresses. A person who have undergone severe emotional trauma, like sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological trauma, traumatic injuries, traumatic child birth, surgeries, work injury and excessive stress are more likely to suffer from Fibromyalgia, according to studies.
Some researchers claim that people whose brain neurotransmitter levels are low also tend to develop Fibromyalgia. Serotonin, the brain’s neurotransmitter helps in calming nerves and anxiety. Thus when it is low, it increases sensitivity to pain.
Lupus
Lupus is caused by malfunctioning of the immune system, which fights against diseases. Since the antibodies produced by the immune system become autoimmune, they fail to recognize the foreign substances invading the body.
The autoantibodies harm the healthy tissues and thus it results in pain in joints and different organs, and skin inflammation.
Due to the similarities in symptoms people suffering from Fibromyalgia are often diagnosed with Lupus. But the medicines used to cure Fibromyalgia will have little or no effect on a patient suffering from Lupus.
Medical doctors differentiate between the two diseases by keenly observing the symptoms and causes. Though the symptoms are similar in most cases, the causes are noticeably different.
More likely, Fibromyalgia patients do not suffer from skin inflammation, rashes and arthritis unlike Lupus patients. In case of Fibromyalgia, the inflammation occurs in the nerves.
Both diseases have different remedies and cures. If a patient is suffering from Fibromyalgia, the best cure is to let him exercise. Drinking plenty of water does help.
Medications like cymbalta, lyrica, savella etc are commonly prescribed for Fibromyalgia patients, backed by physical exercise and therapy.
Medicines most commonly used to treat Lupus are anti-inflammatory medicines, aspirins, corticosteroids, anti-malaria medicines, immunosuppressive medicines, etc