What Is Fibromyalgia
April 12th 2010 21:20
fibromyalgia is a common syndrome of chronic widespread soft-tissue pain accompanied by weakness fatigue, and sleep disturbances; the cause is unknown.
Fibromyalgia is seen as a rheumatic condition. A rheumatic condition is one that causes joint and soft tissue pain.However, it does not cause joint damage or inflammation, as arthritis does. Neither does fibromyalgia cause damage to muscle and other tissues.
The symptoms of fibromyalgia?
*Widespread pain..pain pain
.You hurt all over, and you frequently feel exhausted. Patients often explains it as if someone is pulling their muscles out of my arms and legs.
* Morning stiffness...
pain on moving a joint on waking up in the morning.
* Headaches
* Irregular sleep patterns
* IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
* Painful menstrual periods (Dysmenorrhea)
* Hands and feet tingle and can feel numb
* Restless leg syndrome
* Sensitivity to cold or heat
* Fibro fog (memory problems, cognitive problems)
The NIH (National Institutes of Health, USA) says 90% of fibromyalgia patients are women. Men and children may also be affected.
The causes of fibromyalgia are really unknown. But inadequate vitamin D has been linked tobone and joint pain, muscle aches that is fibromyalgia syndrome.
There are factors such as a traumatic, stressful, or emotional event may be linked to developing fibromyalgia. Possible causal factors currently include:
* Repetitive injuries
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Lupus
* CNS (central nervous system) problems
* The way our genes regulate how we process painful stimuli
How Is it Diagnosed?
We usually depend on the The American College of Rheumatology two criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia:
1-A history of widespread pain that has lasted over three months. Widespread means the pain affects the four parts (quadrants) of your body - the left, right, top and bottom sides.
2-The presence of tender points in 18 sites of the body. These sites are located at the back and front of the neck...Pain in at least 11 of 18 tender points, which are specific spots on the body that hurt when pressure is applied.See diagram below
The treatment
It is important TO FIND a good doctor,trained in treating fibromyalgia usually a Rheumatologist..
Treatment will usually include some or all of the following:
* An active exercise program
* Low-dose anti-depressants
* Acupuncture
* Psychotherapy
* Behavior modification therapy
* Chiropractic care
* Massage
* Physical therapy .
One study demonstrated that taking a tricyclic antidepressant, 25 mg of amitriptyline , with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, 20 mg of fluoxetine , all in combination was twice as effective as either one taken alone.
Current best evidence demonstrates that supplemental vitamin D can help to resolve or alleviate chronic pain and fatigue syndromes in many patients who have been unresponsive to other therapies.persons with bone or muscle aches and pains could benefit from 2000 IU or more per day of supplemental vitamin D3 (also called cholecalciferol).
For More Information About Fibromyalgia and Other Related Conditions: check out Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue - FFC
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