| yalgia syndrome or FMS is a disorder affecting | | | | hereditary or not is still unclear. People diagnosed |
| the musculoskeletal functions of the body and | | | | with diseases like rheumatoid and spinal arthritis, |
| affects the soft, fibrous tissues - the ligaments, | | | | lupus and other diseases that attack the immune |
| tendons and the muscles. It comes from the Latin | | | | system are also more susceptible. |
| word 'fibro' referring to fibrous tissue and the | | | | Cause |
| Greek words 'myo' for muscle and 'algia' for pain. | | | | There is no known single cause for FMS, but it |
| This chronic disorder is quite common and is often | | | | seems to be triggered by several things and |
| mistaken as a condition related to arthritis. But | | | | events, particularly extremely traumatic or |
| unlike arthritis, fibromyalgia does not cause joint | | | | stressful events that affect a person physically, |
| or tissue inflammation. However, like arthritis, it is | | | | mentally and emotionally, including illnesses and |
| a rheumatic condition and causes a lot of pain and | | | | accidents. |
| feelings of fatigue. | | | | Some factors that may aggravate fibromyalgia |
| Symptoms | | | | include viral or bacterial infections, stress, anxiety, |
| Fibromyalgia is a syndrome and not a disease. | | | | depression, overwork, changes in hormonal |
| Meaning, it is a disorder characterized by several | | | | functions like premenstrual condition or onset of |
| symptoms, including pain, fatigue, joint | | | | menopause and changes in the weather. |
| dysfunction, chronic headaches, IBS or irritable | | | | Diagnosis |
| bowel syndrome and even sleep disorder. | | | | Once a doctor rules out other symptoms that |
| While some of these disorders may be | | | | may overlap the syndrome, fibromyalgia may |
| experienced, they don't necessarily mean a | | | | only be diagnosed by establishing two things: a |
| person has fibromyalgia. Pain, for example, must | | | | history of pain that lasts for at least 3 months |
| be widespread and felt in the four quadrants of | | | | and pain located in at least 11 out of the 18 |
| the body for at least three months before the | | | | designated tender points in the body. |
| possibility of fibromyalgia is considered. | | | | A patient must have experienced widespread pain |
| Other symptoms and associated syndromes that | | | | in all four quadrants of his body and includes both |
| may be felt by a person with fibromyalgia are: | | | | left and right sides. He must also feel pain when |
| - morning joint stiffness | | | | certain standard sites on his body are pressed |
| - dysmenorrhea or painful menstrual period | | | | (pressure applied is usually 4 kgs). |
| - numbness in the extremities | | | | How fibromyalgia is treated |
| - memory retention problems | | | | A doctor may prescribe medication to ease the |
| - sensitivity to changes in temperature | | | | pain of fibromyalgia, which might include analgesics, |
| - restless leg syndrome | | | | NSAIDS or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs |
| - TMJ or tempromandibular joint dysfunction | | | | and if necessary, anti-depressants. He may also |
| syndrome | | | | recommend a lifestyle change and require the |
| - Irritable bladder | | | | patient to undergo physical and occupational |
| - sensitivity to bright lights, odors and noises | | | | therapy. |
| - muscle twitching | | | | Other alternative therapies might also help some, |
| - dryness in the eyes and mouth | | | | but not all, patients: massages, mild exercises like |
| Another thing to consider is that there are other | | | | Pilates, acupuncture, herbal medicines, supplements |
| chronic pains that a person may experience that | | | | and chiropractic treatments. |
| may overlap with the symptoms of fibromyalgia, | | | | Getting the most help you can |
| including local tendonitis, low back pain, rheumatoid | | | | It is very important to discuss fibromyalgia openly |
| arthritis, osteoarthritis and other pain syndromes | | | | with your doctor. Don't be shy about asking for |
| related to trauma. | | | | more detailed information and discussing possible |
| Where the pain is | | | | therapies. Involving family members and friends |
| A routine physical examination will reveal that the | | | | will also help to alleviate feelings of guilt and |
| patient will feel pain or discomfort when certain | | | | inadequacies. You will need your support group |
| areas of the body are subjected to pressure. | | | | when it comes to handling not only the physical |
| These specific 'tender points' are: the neck | | | | demands of the disorder, but also the mental and |
| (including the nape), shoulders, chest, elbows, hip, | | | | emotional aspects. |
| the area just below and to the side of the | | | | Understand and accept that there might be some |
| buttocks and knees. | | | | situations that will test your limits - work |
| Who's susceptible and what causes it? | | | | demands, family issues, household tasks, even |
| According to the American College of | | | | comments from other people which can be |
| Rheumatology, fibromyalgia syndrome affects at | | | | hurtful and embarrassing. Keep your self-esteem |
| least 1 in every 50 Americans, which translates to | | | | intact and do not let this disorder stop you from |
| about 6 million people, 85 to 90% of whom are | | | | achieving. |
| women. Most fibromyalgia sufferers are diagnosed | | | | Learn to keep a stronger, more optimistic |
| with it during their 50s or 60s. | | | | perspective of your disease by being informed, |
| Fibromyalgia is also more likely to appear in people | | | | ready and keeping a network of friends and |
| (especially women) who have a relative who | | | | supporters around you. |
| suffers from the disorder, although whether it's | | | | |