Fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis are two chronic pain conditions that could affect a person. It has been noticed that if a person is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, they are at a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia as well. Although the conditions are very different, some of the symptoms are very similar which could make diagnosing the condition a difficult process. These conditions could cause the same feeling of pain and exhaustion but could vary in their other symptoms. The natural remedies to cure these conditions are almost the same; however, the medical treatments differ. In the following, a brief comparison of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis and their causes and symptoms has been given.
Fibromyalgia
Some of the common symptoms of fibromyalgia include the following:
The common causes of fibromyalgia include the following:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Some of the common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include the following:
The exact cause of the disease is unknown but there are several people who are at a higher risk. The common risk factors of rheumatoid arthritis include the following:
The possibility of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis coexisting together is high. As mentioned above, people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are at an increased risk of contracting fibromyalgia. According to various studies, around 20–30% of people with rheumatoid arthritis also suffer from fibromyalgia. The chronic pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis makes the nervous system hypersensitive over time. This may lead to the onset of fibromyalgia. It is imperative to consult a doctor at the earliest if any of the symptoms of fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis are first noticed.