| The last decade has seen the proliferation of | | | | symptoms. Alternative therapies and |
| a disease called FIBROMYALGIA or | | | | physiotherapy and massage have also been |
| POLYMYALGIA-RHEUMATICA. | | | | cited as helpful. Results and outcomes are |
| | | | not proven though and symptomatic and |
| It is characterised by diffuse and variable | | | | temporary relief seem to be the commonest |
| pain symptoms felt in the muscles and joints | | | | outcome of treatments. |
| of primarily the upper aspects of the arms | | | | |
| and legs. It is reported to affect | | | | However, it is commonly accepted that |
| significantly more women than men and has | | | | exercising to a level of fatigue has negative |
| associated and marked fatigue type symptoms. | | | | rather than positive results with sufferers. |
| It is seemingly able to manifest for many | | | | If the symptoms are in remission the |
| months if not years, without a definite end | | | | exercfise tolerance levels of sufferers can |
| point. There are a considerable number of | | | | be improved albeit slowly. |
| experts who consider fibromyalgia to have a | | | | |
| major psychological cause. Such phenomena are | | | | The following are believed to be among the |
| termed psychogenic or psychosomatic. | | | | possible causes: |
| | | | |
| The disease is characterised by a process of | | | | Stress |
| exacerbation and remission, where sufferers | | | | |
| have periods of increased symptoms followed | | | | Genetics |
| by periods of reduced suffering. | | | | |
| Exacerbations are commonly associated with | | | | Endocrine deficiencies |
| stressful situations as well as low | | | | |
| temperature exposure and physical exertion. | | | | As you can probably tell there is an awful |
| | | | lot that of variation and debate on the |
| A provisional diagnosis of fibromyalgia is | | | | subject. This is even to the point of doubt |
| often given if widespread undiagnosed pain is | | | | as to whether fibromyalgia is actually a |
| experienced in all four limbs for a continual | | | | definable and diagnosable disease or just a |
| period of three months or more. Further | | | | convenient label for a reported combination |
| confirmation is with tender point analysis | | | | of a number of widespread signs and symptoms. |
| where patients feel specific and abnormal | | | | |
| tenderness on certain points located around | | | | Many medical personnel believe it is a |
| the body. These are located at the knees, | | | | psychosomatic set of symptoms because of its |
| elbows and neck and shoulders. | | | | variable presentation and the vague evidence |
| | | | based diagnostics associated with it. |
| Sufferers often report abnormal sleep | | | | |
| patterns too. | | | | Undoubtedly fibromyalgia has become a |
| | | | relatively recent and additional drain on |
| Fibromyalgia is also associated | | | | medical resources, certainly in the developed |
| symptomatically with a number of other | | | | world. The increase in the numbers of |
| illnesses or diseases such as:metal | | | | sufferers leads to the thought that there |
| poisoningpost war syndromeschronic fatigue | | | | could possibly be a link to the lifestyle we |
| syndromehypothyroidismdepressioninfluenza | | | | lead today. It is certainly getting attention |
| | | | and whether considered to be a 'proper |
| There is no known cure for fibromayalgia. | | | | disease' or not it is a label currently being |
| Analgesia and low dose antidepressant | | | | given to an increasing number of patients. |
| medication is commonly used to treat | | | | |