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 | Fibromyalgia The Silent Curse | May 1, '11 1:07 AM by Fantaesia for everyone |
Fibromyalgia The Silent Curse
Fibromyalgia is a very misunderstood condition. Many people today have no idea what it is or how all encompassing this condition is for those so afflicted. Few people are aware of it’s effects on the body. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points, places on your body where even a slight pressure causes pain.
Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Previously, fibromyalgia was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias. Years ago when little was known about fibromyalgia people were often misdiagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the symptoms are very similar. Fibromyalgia is very all encompassing as it affects many parts of the body and has many symptoms. Besides dealing with the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia, sufferers also have to deal with the frustration of having a condition that is often misunderstood or not understood at all. In addition to educating the patient about fibromyalgia it is also deemed helpful to provide family, friends and co-workers with information about Fibromyalgia.
The support of family and friends will be a big help towards helping patients cope with the condition. There are no outward signs that a person is dealing with Fibromyalgia. It is therefore easy to forget that the patient suffers many of the symptoms that are always present. Fibromyalgia patients do have some periods when the conditions symptoms seem to lesson to some degree, but they will also have periods when the condition is at its worst for long periods of time.
When the patient’s family and friends fail to understand the broad scope of effects to the patient’s health and offer no support, be it emotional or physical, leaving the patient to cope alone, the risk of mild to severe depression is almost always a real concern.
Signs and symptoms are widespread pain to specific parts of the body, fatigue and sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder syndrome, headaches and facial pains, sensitivity to smells, sounds or touch, depression, tingling in the hands and feet, mood changes, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, chest pain, dry mouth and eyes, and dizziness.
Doctors don't know what causes fibromyalgia. Current thinking centers around a theory called "central sensitization." This theory states that people with fibromyalgia have a lower threshold for pain because of increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals. Researchers believe repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain (neurotransmitters). In addition, the brain's pain receptors (neurons) which receive signals from the neuro transmitters seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become more sensitive, meaning they can overreact to pain signals. In this way, pressure on a spot on the body that wouldn't hurt someone without fibromyalgia can be very painful to someone who has the condition. What initiates this process of central sensitization isn't known. It's likely that a number of factors contribute to the development of fibromyalgia. Some researchers theorize that disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause rather than just a symptom of fibromyalgia. An injury or trauma, particularly in the upper spinal region, may trigger the development of fibromyalgia in some people. An injury that may affect your central nervous system may trigger fibromyalgia. Some researchers believe that a viral or bacterial infection may also trigger fibromyalgia. Part of your autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic, or involuntary, system controls bodily functions that you don't consciously control, such as heart rate, blood vessel contraction, sweating, salivary flow and intestinal movements. It’s thought that sympathetic nervous system dysfunction occurs in people with fibromyalgia, particularly at night, which leads to fatigue, stiffness, dizziness and other signs and symptoms associated with the condition. Psychological stress and hormonal changes also may be possible causes of fibromyalgia. Patients often experience a worsening of symptoms during times of high stress. Changes in muscle metabolism, for example decreased blood flow to muscles may contribute to decreased strength and fatigue. Differences in metabolism and abnormalities in the hormonal substance that influences the activity of nerves may also play a role.
Diagnosing fibromyalgia is difficult because there isn't a single, specific diagnostic laboratory test. In fact, before receiving a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, you may go through several medical tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, only to have the results come back normal. Although these tests may rule out other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis, they can't confirm fibromyalgia. The American College of Rheumatology has established general classification guidelines for fibromyalgia, to help in the assessment and study of the condition. According to these guidelines, to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia you must have experienced widespread aching pain for at least three months and have a minimum of 11 locations on your body that are abnormally tender under relatively mild, firm pressure. In addition to taking your medical history, a doctor checking for fibromyalgia will likely press firmly on specific points on your head, upper body and certain joints so that you can confirm which cause pain. Not all doctors agree with these guidelines. Some believe that the criteria are too rigid and that you can have fibromyalgia even if you don't meet the required number of tender points. Others question how reliable and valid tender points are as a diagnostic tool.
Fibromyalgia isn't progressive and generally doesn't lead to other conditions or diseases. It can, however, cause pain, depression and lack of sleep. These problems can then interfere with your ability to function at home or on the job, or maintain close family or personal relationships. The frustration of dealing with an often-misunderstood condition also can be a complication of the condition.
Self-care is critical in the management of fibromyalgia. Develop a plan to avoid or limit overexertion and emotional stress. Allow yourself time each day to relax. That may mean learning how to say no without guilt. But try not to change your routine completely. People who quit work or drop all activity tend to do worse than those who remain active. Try stress management techniques, such as deep-breathing exercises or meditation. Because fatigue is one of the main characteristics of fibromyalgia, getting sufficient sleep is essential. In addition to allotting enough time for sleep, practice good sleep habits, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time each day. Keep your activity on an even level. If you do too much on your good days, you may have more bad days. Eat healthy foods. Limit your caffeine intake. Do something that you find enjoyable and fulfilling every day. Organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation and the Chronic Pain Association provide educational classes and support groups. These groups can often provide a level of help and advice that you might not find at home. Massage therapy is one of the oldest methods of health care still in practice. It involves use of different manipulative techniques to move your body's muscles and soft tissues. The therapy aims to improve blood circulation in the muscle, increasing the flow of nutrients and eliminating waste products. Massage can reduce your heart rate, relax your muscles, improve range of motion in your joints and increase production of your body's natural painkillers. It often helps relieve stress and anxiety.
Information from The Mayo Clinic ©
Fibromyalgia is a very misunderstood condition. Many people today have no idea what it is or how all encompassing this condition is for those so afflicted. Few people are aware of it’s effects on the body. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points, places on your body where even a slight pressure causes pain.
Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Previously, fibromyalgia was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias. Years ago when little was known about fibromyalgia people were often misdiagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis. Some of the symptoms are very similar. Fibromyalgia is very all encompassing as it affects many parts of the body and has many symptoms. Besides dealing with the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia, sufferers also have to deal with the frustration of having a condition that is often misunderstood or not understood at all. In addition to educating the patient about fibromyalgia it is also deemed helpful to provide family, friends and co-workers with information about Fibromyalgia.
The support of family and friends will be a big help towards helping patients cope with the condition. There are no outward signs that a person is dealing with Fibromyalgia. It is therefore easy to forget that the patient suffers many of the symptoms that are always present. Fibromyalgia patients do have some periods when the conditions symptoms seem to lesson to some degree, but they will also have periods when the condition is at its worst for long periods of time.
When the patient’s family and friends fail to understand the broad scope of effects to the patient’s health and offer no support, be it emotional or physical, leaving the patient to cope alone, the risk of mild to severe depression is almost always a real concern.
Signs and symptoms are widespread pain to specific parts of the body, fatigue and sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder syndrome, headaches and facial pains, sensitivity to smells, sounds or touch, depression, tingling in the hands and feet, mood changes, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, chest pain, dry mouth and eyes, and dizziness.
Doctors don't know what causes fibromyalgia. Current thinking centers around a theory called "central sensitization." This theory states that people with fibromyalgia have a lower threshold for pain because of increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals. Researchers believe repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain (neurotransmitters). In addition, the brain's pain receptors (neurons) which receive signals from the neuro transmitters seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become more sensitive, meaning they can overreact to pain signals. In this way, pressure on a spot on the body that wouldn't hurt someone without fibromyalgia can be very painful to someone who has the condition. What initiates this process of central sensitization isn't known. It's likely that a number of factors contribute to the development of fibromyalgia. Some researchers theorize that disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause rather than just a symptom of fibromyalgia. An injury or trauma, particularly in the upper spinal region, may trigger the development of fibromyalgia in some people. An injury that may affect your central nervous system may trigger fibromyalgia. Some researchers believe that a viral or bacterial infection may also trigger fibromyalgia. Part of your autonomic nervous system, the sympathetic, or involuntary, system controls bodily functions that you don't consciously control, such as heart rate, blood vessel contraction, sweating, salivary flow and intestinal movements. It’s thought that sympathetic nervous system dysfunction occurs in people with fibromyalgia, particularly at night, which leads to fatigue, stiffness, dizziness and other signs and symptoms associated with the condition. Psychological stress and hormonal changes also may be possible causes of fibromyalgia. Patients often experience a worsening of symptoms during times of high stress. Changes in muscle metabolism, for example decreased blood flow to muscles may contribute to decreased strength and fatigue. Differences in metabolism and abnormalities in the hormonal substance that influences the activity of nerves may also play a role.
Diagnosing fibromyalgia is difficult because there isn't a single, specific diagnostic laboratory test. In fact, before receiving a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, you may go through several medical tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, only to have the results come back normal. Although these tests may rule out other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis, they can't confirm fibromyalgia. The American College of Rheumatology has established general classification guidelines for fibromyalgia, to help in the assessment and study of the condition. According to these guidelines, to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia you must have experienced widespread aching pain for at least three months and have a minimum of 11 locations on your body that are abnormally tender under relatively mild, firm pressure. In addition to taking your medical history, a doctor checking for fibromyalgia will likely press firmly on specific points on your head, upper body and certain joints so that you can confirm which cause pain. Not all doctors agree with these guidelines. Some believe that the criteria are too rigid and that you can have fibromyalgia even if you don't meet the required number of tender points. Others question how reliable and valid tender points are as a diagnostic tool.
Fibromyalgia isn't progressive and generally doesn't lead to other conditions or diseases. It can, however, cause pain, depression and lack of sleep. These problems can then interfere with your ability to function at home or on the job, or maintain close family or personal relationships. The frustration of dealing with an often-misunderstood condition also can be a complication of the condition.
Self-care is critical in the management of fibromyalgia. Develop a plan to avoid or limit overexertion and emotional stress. Allow yourself time each day to relax. That may mean learning how to say no without guilt. But try not to change your routine completely. People who quit work or drop all activity tend to do worse than those who remain active. Try stress management techniques, such as deep-breathing exercises or meditation. Because fatigue is one of the main characteristics of fibromyalgia, getting sufficient sleep is essential. In addition to allotting enough time for sleep, practice good sleep habits, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time each day. Keep your activity on an even level. If you do too much on your good days, you may have more bad days. Eat healthy foods. Limit your caffeine intake. Do something that you find enjoyable and fulfilling every day. Organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation and the Chronic Pain Association provide educational classes and support groups. These groups can often provide a level of help and advice that you might not find at home. Massage therapy is one of the oldest methods of health care still in practice. It involves use of different manipulative techniques to move your body's muscles and soft tissues. The therapy aims to improve blood circulation in the muscle, increasing the flow of nutrients and eliminating waste products. Massage can reduce your heart rate, relax your muscles, improve range of motion in your joints and increase production of your body's natural painkillers. It often helps relieve stress and anxiety.
Information from The Mayo Clinic ©
Tags: fibromyalgia
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