Fibromyalgia - What Is It?

Medterms.com gives the following definition:

Fibromyalgia: a syndrome characterized, stiffness, and tenderness of muscles, tendons and joints without inflammation detected. Fibromyalgia does not cause body damage or deformity. However, undue fatigue plagues the vast majority of patients with fibromyalgia and are common in fibromyalgia.

It is estimated that over 3% of the population in the United States suffers from fibromyalgia. condition affects predominantly women (80 percent), aged between 35 and 55 years.

This has been studied since the early 1800-and was called by a variety of former names, such as muscular rheumatism and fibrositis. In 1976, "Fibromyalgia" was coined to describe the situation. The term derives from the Latin word fibra, meaning fiber, MYO, meaning muscle, and the Greek word algos, meaning pain.

It is characteristic that people who suffer from fibromyalgia will hurt more, being constantly tired, depressed, anxious, have the strength and tenderness of muscles, tendons and joints without inflammation detect and May have even irritable bowel syndrome. These are just some of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is considered arthritis-related condition, but it's not arthritis, as arthritis is a disease of the joints and although fibromyalgia can be as debilitating as arthritis, they are not the same.

Fortunately, fibromyalgia, although very painful, does not lead to joint deformity and damage to internal organs or muscles, as well as other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and polymyositis. Unfortunately, there is no known cause or cure.

Current research indicates that fibromyalgia may start from an illness or as a result of some trauma, such as traffic accidents. progression of fibromyalgia can have a slow onset, many patients reporting mild symptoms beginning in childhood, such as growing pains. Changes in weather or unrelated disease is known to worsen symptoms.

Fibromyalgia patients have reported that the following factors may temporarily increase their suffering:

Cold weather, especially when wet

malnutrition, hunger, starvation or
Physical activity of any kind, including minor tasks such as
write

a lack of deep sleep

The increase in stress

alcohol

fibromyalgyis Diagnosis is tricky, as it is closely associated with other conditions, such as endocrine disorders, arthritis and plymyalgia reheumatia. American College of Rheumatology has established two criteria for diagnosis:

1.povijest widespread pain lasting more than three months - widespread as in all four quadrants of the body, ie both sides and above and below the waist

.

2 Tender points - there are some 18 possible tender points, although the person with the syndrome may feel pain in other areas, as well as

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there is no blood or x-ray tests to help the doctor with his diagnosis and, therefore, said the diagnosis was made only on the basis of clinical based on history and physical examination. Widespread pain on both sides of the body above and below the waist and tenderness in at least 11 of the 18 tender points when pressed are two symptoms that confirm the condition of fibromyalgia.

Although there are no specific blood tests to determine the presence of fibromyalgia, there are blood tests that can exclude other medical conditions that mimic fibromyalgia.

After confirming the diagnosis of fibromyalgia after all other possible conditions ruled out, treatment may consist of different modalities. Not all patients will respond to them, but here are some treatments that have helped:

getting regular exercise to help with muscle pain and stiffness - low impact exercise such as swimming, cycling, walking and stationary cross-country ski machines are great exercise as long as you start slowly. It was found that exercise regime, running on every-other-day basis, in the morning, the most useful. Stretching help alleviate muscle stiffness and fatigue, as in the mild aerobic exercise is also highly recommended.

to avoid alcohol and caffeine before bedtime can help promote more restful sleep.

Stress reduction. This may include biofeedback, relaxation, psychological counseling and / or support group. Some have even found that modifying environmental factors such as noise, temperature and exposure time helps.

Drugs, such as is used for depression, in small doses, have helped in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

acupuncture can also help. According to a study published in June 2006 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings and presented last year at the 11th World Congress on Pain, acupuncture relieves fatigue and anxiety in fibromyalgia patients up to seven months after treatment.

chiropractic care. This treatment is based on the theory that restricted movement in the spine can cause pain and reduced function. Because of the danger of manipulation be sure to ask properly trained and licensed practitioners.

Massage Therapy. One of the oldest methods of health care is still in practice, massage can reduce your heart rate, relax muscles, improve range of motion in the joints and increase production of natural painkillers your body and relieve stress and anxiety.

the future of fibromyalgia treatment is, of course, to find the cause of the condition so that researchers develop a test that can help physicians diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Until then, fibromyalgia patients can help improve education for fibromyalgia themselves, family and friends, exercise and medications.