"WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA"
Fibromyalgia is a painful muscle condition that was first identified in the early 1900's. Very little attention has been given to this disorder. In fact until recently Fibrosis was dismissed by many health care pactitioners as minor rheumatism. Hwever, the pains and stiffness affects millions of Americans.It is estimated that 3 to 6 million people are afflicted in the United States alone.
It is not physically damaging to the body in any way, but is characterized by the constant presence of widespread pain so severe that it is often incapacitating. The condition mainly affects women aged 25 to 50 years and bears a striking resemblance to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Unfortunately, no one laboratory test or X-ray can diagnose fibromyalgia. Research has revealed that upon a physical examination the presence of 18 specific points in the muscles, tendons, or bones are tender and painful to touch. These tender points can be used to distinguish fibromyalgia from othr painful joint and muscle conditions.
The identifying critera for diagnsing fibromyalgia is pain or tenderness experienced in at least 11 of the 18 points. Thses tender points can range from mildy irritating to completely debilitating. Roughly 75% of CFS-diagnosed patients will meet the criteria.
As a person who suffers from fms, you may have some
degree of constant pain but the severity may vary.
You may have deep ache or a burning pain, muscle
tightening or spasms. Most people with fibromyalgia
feel tired or out of energy. They are sesative to
odors, bright lights, loud noises, and even
medicines. Headaches and jaw pain re also common.
WHAT CAUSES FIBROMYALGIA?
The exact cause is unknown. Many different factors, alone or in combonation may trigger this disorder. In recent years studies have shown that in FMS, the muscle is especially vulerable to decreased circulation and minor inujury. Research has also looked at the role of certain hormones or body chemicals that may alter pain, sleep, and mood.
COMMON SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH FIBROMYALGIA
1. PAIN-Pain becomes a part of your daily existence for patients. The pain runs throughout the body. Patients describe the pain as deep muscular burning, throbbing, and stabbing. In a majority of cases, the pain and stiffness are more severe in the morning.The 18 sites of pain cluster around the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee, and elbow regions. You must have 11 of the 18 specified tender points for a minimum duration of 3 months.
2. SLEEPDISORDERS-Most patients have an associated sleep disorder called the alpha-EEG anomaly. Research has found that people with FMS could fall asleep without much trouble, but their deep level (or stqage 4) sleep was constantly interupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity. Some FMS-diagnosed patients have found to have other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and teeth grinding.
5. FATIGUE-Fatigue can be mild in some cases yet incapacitating in others. The fatigue has often been described as "brain fatigue" in which patients feel totally drained of energy. Many patients depict this situation by saying that they feel as though their legs and arms are tied to two concrete blocks, and they have dificulty concentrating.
6. CHRONIC HEADACHES-Recurrent migraine or tension type headaches are seen in about 50% of FMS patients.
7. IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME-Constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdomnal pain, abdominal gas, and nausea represent symptoms frequently found in roughly 40% to70% of FMS patients.
8. TMJ-Tempromandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome causes tremendous face and head pain in one quarter of FMS patients. Most of the problems associated with this condition are thought to be related to the muscles and ligaments surronding the joint and not necessarily the joint itself.
