Diseases And Conditions

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM or FMS) is a debilitating chronic syndrome (constellation of signs and symptoms) characterized by diffuse or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain , fatigue , and a wide range of other symptoms If this sounds familiar, you may have fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons - the soft fibrous tissues in the body. Common tender points are the front of the knees, the elbows, the hip joints and around the neck. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked Previously, the condition was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias The nature of fibromyalgia is not well understood, with many frustrated physicians driven to accusing their patients of feigning illness. Fibromyalgia affects up to 5% of the population, including children. To help your family and friends relate to your condition, have them think back to the last time they had a bad flu. Fibromyalgia has been studied since the early 1800s and referred to by a variety of former names, including muscular rheumatism and fibrositis While the severity of symptoms fluctuate from person to person, FMS may resemble a post-viral state. In addition, they felt devoid of energy as though someone had unplugged their power supply.This disorder might be hereditary (run in families), so you may have family members with similar symptoms. In an article the same year, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a physician named Goldenberg called the syndrome Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, morning stiffness, sleep problems, headaches, numbness in hands and feet, depression, and anxiety. The more pain you have, the more inflamed the area becomes. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by fatigue, widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, and multiple tender points- places on your body where slight pressure causes pain. Every muscle in their body shouted out in pain. The term fibromyalgia was coined in 1976 to more accurately describe the symptoms, from the Latin word fibra , meaning fiber, myo , meaning muscle, and the Greek word algos , meaning pain. Although the intensity of your symptoms may vary, they'll probably never disappear completely. There are few, if any, treatments available and there is no cure, but the disease is not life-threatening. This disorder might be hereditary (run in families), so you may have family members with similar symptoms. In those diseases, tissue inflammation is the major cause of pain, stiffness and tenderness of the joints, tendons and muscles, and it can lead to joint deformity and damage to the internal organs or muscles.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

The common Causes of Fibromyalgia :

• Some people with fibromyalgia appear to have alterations in the regulation of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.
• Some researchers believe that a viral or bacterial infection may trigger fibromyalgia.
• Those with other chronic medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
• Serotonin is found throughout the body and plays an important role in controlling pain and regulating sleep.
• Oversensitivity may be due to changes in chemicals in the brain or spinal cord that regulate pain.
• Many experts believe that fibromyalgia is not a disease but rather a chronic pain condition brought on by a constellation of dysfunctional biologic responses to stress. Such individuals are thought to be more susceptible to stress because of traumatic personal histories, genetic factors, or both.
• An imbalance of hormones such as cortisol and growth hormone. Their release is controlled by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus .
• According to one study, between 10% and 25% of patients with Lyme disease subsequently developed fibromyalgia, which did not respond to the standard Lyme treatment consisting of antibiotics.
• Blood tests have confirmed that people with fibromyalgia have low serotonin levels.
  

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Some are common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia :

• Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in specific areas of your body when pressure is applied, including the back of your head, upper back and neck, upper chest, elbows, hips and knees.
• The constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating associated with IBS are common in people with fibromyalgia.
• Gastrointestinal complications (diarrhea, bloating, cramping)
• Fatigue that interferes with work and daily activities.
• Sleep problems (difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking up feeling tired).
• Multiple tender areas (muscle and joint pain ) on the back of the neck, shoulders, sternum, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, knees
• Chronic facial muscle pain or aching
• The most prominent symptom of fibromyalgia is pain. Unlike arthritis , the discomfort is not in the joints but in the muscles and ligaments.
• Another common symptom is a mental haziness some people call fibrofog.

Treatment of Fibromyalgia

• The most important therapy for muscle pain is regular, low-impact exercise.
• Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) may help.
• Multiple tender areas (muscle and joint pain ) on the back of the neck, shoulders, sternum, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, knees.
• . The best way to begin a fitness program is to start with low impact exercises, like walking and swimming.
• Taking the medication cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) at bedtime may help treat muscle pain and spasms.
• Your doctor may prescribe antidepressant medications, such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) or doxepin (Sinequan) to help promote sleep.
• Narcotics and cortisone medications are avoided because they have not been shown to be beneficial and they have potential adverse side effects, including dependency, when used long-term.
• Medicines your doctor may suggest include tricyclic antidepressants , SSRIs , muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) , anticonvulsants (also called antiepileptics), mixed (or dual) reuptake inhibitors or, less often, nonprescription pain relievers .