Fibromyalgia

General Description of Fibromyalgia Symptoms Fibromyalgia (also called fibrositis or fibromyositis) is a syndrome of unknown causes that results in chronic, sometimes debilitating muscle pain and fatigue. Pain. The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is pain, both pain experienced in certain precise locations called tender points and generalized pain [See Criteria for Classifying Fibromyalgia]. The pain….What Is Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is sometimes categorized as primary or secondary; primary fibromyalgia is the more common form. The cause or causes of primary fibromyalgia (also called idiopathic fibromyalgia ) are not known. Many experts believe that fibromyalgia is not a disease but rather a dysfunctional disorder caused by a constellation of biologic responses to stress in individuals….What Causes Fibromyalgia?

Prevalence Studies report that between 1.3% and 2% of the general population meet the diagnostic criteria. Specific Risk Factors Some evidence suggests that a number of factors may predispose people to fibromyalgia, including being female, having had difficult experiences in childhood, having a psychological vulnerability to stress, and coming from a very stressful culture or….Who Gets Fibromyalgia?

Diagnostic Criteria There is no unequivocal objective method for diagnosing the fibromyalgia. The criteria used for studying fibromyalgia are very helpful, particularly if the patient does not have any accompanying disorder, such as depression or arthritis, that could complicate the diagnosis. Failure to meet the criteria, however, does not rule out fibromyalgia. It should be….How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?

WHAT CONDITIONS RESEMBLE FIBROMYALGIA?Between 10% and 30% of all doctors’ office visits are due to symptoms that resemble those of fibromyalgia, including fatigue, malaise, and general muscle pain [see Table, below]. No laboratory test can confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and if tests for tender spots are ambiguous, physicians will rule out other conditions. It….What Conditions Resemble Fibromyalgia?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. About 75% of patients fit the diagnosis for both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). As with fibromyalgia, the cause of CFS is unknown and its course is chronic. Both disorders can be diagnosed by a physician only on the basis of symptoms reported by the patient and cannot be confirmed by….Conditions That Do Not Rule Out Fibromyalgia

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Autoimmune Diseases. Many autoimmune diseases, in which the person’s immune system attacks the body’s own tissues, resemble fibromyalgia. (Fibromyalgia, itself, may be an autoimmune disorder.) These diseases, like fibromyalgia, also occur more often in women than in men and early symptoms are often muscle and joint pain and fatigue. The following….Conditions That Usually Rule Out Fibromyalgia

Criteria for fibromyalgia have been established to enable researchers to study patients with similar symptoms and to help diagnose individuals. A. There are at least 11 of 18 specific areas called tender points on the body. The pain experienced when pressing on a tender point is very localized and intensely painful (not just tender). Tender….Criteria for Classifying Fibromyalgia

Severity of Physical Symptoms Fibromyalgia can be mild or disabling, and the emotional repercussions can be substantial. About half of all patients have difficulty with or are unable to perform routine daily activities. Estimates of patients who have had to stop work or change jobs range from 30% to 40%. Risk of Substance Abuse The….How Serious is Fibromyalgia?

The primary goal of drug therapy is to improve sleep, but many of the medications may relieve other symptoms of fibromyalgia, including depression and low energy. Targeting Pressure Points and Stretching Techniques Much of the pain experienced by patients occurs where muscles join tendons or bones, particularly when the muscles are stretched. Stretching, or flexibility….What Are The Medical Treatments For Fibromyalgia