Did you know a psychologically stressful event could cause health conditions such as fibromyalgia?
April is Stress Awareness Month, and we want to raise awareness about how stress can affect both our physical and mental health.
Stress Management Society created Stress Awareness Month and this year the charity is encouraging others to ‘Take Action’ on stress. They are raising awareness on how people can reduce stress by creating changes in their personal and professional lives.
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes widespread pain and extreme tiredness, predominantly affecting women; It affects around 2.5 million people in the UK alone.
It’s not clear why people develop fibromyalgia, and the exact cause is unknown, but one of the causes of fibromyalgia could be stress. Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical or emotional (psychological) stress. These extreme stresses could be experiencing a serious injury, recovering from an infection, or going through significant emotional trauma.
The symptoms of fibromyalgia can also be exacerbated by stress. One of the most common treatments prescribed to fibromyalgia patients is meditative movement therapies and mindfulness-based stress reduction, and there is some evidence to support that Yoga and meditation can help improve the extreme fatigue aspects of the condition.
In terms of medication to treat fibromyalgia, people are typically prescribed antidepressants, and sometimes antiepileptic medications, which are used to help relieve pain symptoms and improve emotional health.
MAC Clinical Research wants to improve the quality of life for those living with fibromyalgia, but we need your help in testing a potential new treatment for the condition.
MAC is looking for volunteers aged 18 to 70 who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for at least 6 months, who would like to take part in a new clinical trial. If eligible, participants may be able to continue the treatment they currently take for fibromyalgia during the trial period and will receive up to £3,050 for their time and commitment. Transport to the MAC clinic or travel expenses are also provided. The study will run at our clinics in Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, and Teesside.
To find out more about MAC Clinical Research’s fibromyalgia clinical trial and to register your interest to receive further information, visit our Fibromyalgia research webpage.
