| ind it difficult to make a distinction between | | | | Although patients of both illnesses suffer muscle |
| fibromyalgia, also known as FM, and chronic | | | | pain and fatigue, the degree or severity of the |
| fatigue syndrome, particularly because the | | | | two symptoms will help distinguish chronic fatigue |
| symptoms of both illnesses are very similar. Even | | | | syndrome sufferers from fibromyalgia patients. |
| doctors and experts, up until now, cannot | | | | People who experience predominantly debilitating |
| definitely say if CFS, short for chronic fatigue | | | | fatigue suffer from CFS, while those whose main |
| syndrome, and FM are two different diseases | | | | symptom is chronic pain in joints and muscles |
| with like symptoms, separate aspects of one | | | | have FM. Another stark difference is that CFS is |
| disorder, or two completely distinct illnesses. | | | | prompted or initiated by an infectious illness, such |
| Issues surrounding fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue | | | | as influenza. On the hand, FM is usually triggered |
| syndrome became even murkier after an FM | | | | by injury, surgery, accident, or a type of physical |
| CFS expert released his findings in a National | | | | trauma. |
| Fibromyalgia Association publication in September | | | | How CFS and FM are diagnosed? |
| 2002. According to the findings of Dr. Charles W | | | | Unlike in certain illnesses where laboratory, blood |
| Lapp, around 70% of people suffering from FM | | | | and x-ray findings help determine the disease, |
| also qualify for CFS, and about the same | | | | both FM and CFS can only be determined through |
| percentage of CFS sufferers also manifest | | | | medical history and clinical findings. If you feel that |
| symptoms of FM. | | | | you are suffering from either one of the |
| Definition of FM and CFS | | | | diseases, you should be more precise in describing |
| Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by chronic | | | | what you are feeling. It is important to tell |
| musculoskeletal aches (particularly in tender points | | | | everything to your doctor, even the minutest |
| such as spine, neck, hips and shoulders), insomnia, | | | | discomfort or changes in your body, because |
| and fatigue. Although it is unclear what causes | | | | these little things will be a great help in diagnosing |
| such a disease, it is believed that lack of nutrition | | | | the disease. |
| and problems with the hypothalamic and immune | | | | Managing FM and CFS |
| functions could exacerbate or trigger the | | | | Since there is no known drug that could cure |
| syndrome. | | | | fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, doctors |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome, on the other hand, is | | | | usually concentrate on treating the symptoms or |
| characterized by severe fatigue, experienced | | | | the triggers or causes of the conditions. Given |
| during not less than six months. Sufferers of CFS | | | | that there is no definite cure for both illnesses, |
| also experience muscle and joint pains, sore | | | | the best that you can do, if you suffer from |
| throat, non-restive sleep, and general malaise | | | | CFS, FM or both, is to manage the disease. Here |
| after performing physical activities. Sometimes, | | | | are some tips that could help you: |
| especially after a strenuous activity, CFS patients | | | | Know your illness |
| display temporary concentration, cognitive and | | | | The first thing you should do, when diagnosed |
| memory lapses. | | | | with either of the two conditions, is to research |
| Similarities between chronic fatigue syndrome and | | | | and learn as much as you can about your |
| fibromyalgia syndrome | | | | condition. It would be easier for you and your |
| As mentioned earlier, the two conditions share | | | | doctor to communicate and discuss the disease |
| quite a number of similar symptoms. If you think | | | | and possible treatment plans or options, if you |
| you are suffering from one of such illnesses, you | | | | have a certain degree of knowledge about the |
| need to consult several doctors. A physician | | | | disease. The Internet, local libraries and journals |
| whose expertise is in infectious disease might see | | | | and magazines can help you with learning more |
| your symptoms as chronic fatigue syndrome, | | | | about FM and CFS. |
| while a pain and rehabilitation doctor could look at | | | | Eat healthy and have plenty of rest |
| your symptoms as FM. | | | | It is very important for people who suffer from |
| Most common indications or symptoms of both | | | | both CFS and FM to eat a well-balanced diet, |
| FM and CFS sufferers are joint and muscular pain, | | | | particularly because some diseases can trigger |
| severe fatigue, inability to concentrate, memory | | | | them. Furthermore, some types of food could |
| lapses, numbness, malaise, and weakness. | | | | exacerbate your symptoms, like too much |
| Meanwhile, clinical likeness of the two includes | | | | caffeine could make it difficult for you to sleep |
| non-restive sleep or insomnia, lowering of growth | | | | well. Adequate rest and sleep could also help |
| hormone and serotonin levels, and diminished blood | | | | alleviate some symptoms, like depression, stress |
| flow in certain parts of the brain. | | | | and non-restive sleep. |
| Aside from having similar symptoms, both | | | | Laugh and have fun |
| diseases are also more common in women than | | | | Stress and depression can only make matters |
| men. In FMS, women are about eight times more | | | | worse. Thus, you need to be happy more often. |
| susceptible than men. Both diseases also occur | | | | Remember, that sometimes laughter is the best |
| more often in adults than in children. | | | | medicine. |
| Differences between CFS and FM | | | | |