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Fibromyalgia: Pain, Causes, Symptoms, Treatments

Author: Disabled World
Updated/Revised Date: 2022/04/12
Category Topic: Fibromyalgia (Publications Database)

Page Content: Synopsis Introduction Main Subtopics

Synopsis: Information on Fibromyalgia or Myalgic Encephalopathy, a chronic condition with symptoms including hurting and pain all over the body plus feeling constantly exhausted. Fibromyalgia symptoms are not always restricted to pain, leading to the use of the alternative term, fibromyalgia syndrome, for the condition. Other symptoms include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. For unknown reasons, between 80-90% of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women; however, men and children also can be affected. In the US, advocates are working to have the name of CFS officially changed to ME/CFS due to belief that the name CFS trivializes the condition.

Introduction

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, and people with it often describe symptoms of hurting all over their body and feeling consistently exhausted. Doctors who examine people with Fibromyalgia many times cannot find anything that is specifically wrong, even after numerous tests.

Main Document

Fibromyalgia (FM or FMS) is often characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to pressure. Fibromyalgia symptoms are not restricted to pain, leading to the use of the alternative term, fibromyalgia syndrome, for the condition. Other symptoms include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and depression.

Scientists estimate that fibromyalgia affects 5 million Americans age 18 or older. For unknown reasons, between 80 and 90 percent of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women; however, men and children also can be affected. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.

Continued below image.
Diagram displays the location of the 9 paired tender points that comprise the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Fig 1. Labeled diagram displays the location of the 9 paired tender points that comprise the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Continued...

What is Myalgic Encephalopathy?

In the United States, advocates are working to have the name of CFS officially changed to ME/CFS, due to the widespread belief that the name CFS trivializes the condition and leads to misperceptions of it. Several countries currently call the condition myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME/CFS or CFS/ME. Some experts use the terms interchangeably, while others consider one a subgroup of the other. ME or Myalgic Encephalopathy is a condition which causes the sufferer muscle and joint pain, chronic physical or mental exhaustion, cognitive dysfunction, digestive problems, depression, as well as the possibility of breathing and heart problems. Myalgic Encephalopathy may cause a person's social life to be affected, and in numerous instances, the ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy) sufferer may find that they cannot maintain a full social life at all. Some ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy) sufferers may become bedridden, dependent on others, and often completely housebound, often for a long period of time.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

The exact causes of Fibromyalgia are unknown to medical science at this time. Thoughts in the medical community related to Fibromyalgia involves a theory known as, 'Central Sensitization,' stating that persons with Fibromyalgia have increased sensitivity and a lower threshold for pain due to a change in pathways in the brain and associated signals. There are chemicals in the brain which signal pain called, 'neurotransmitters,' that increase, as well as pain receptors, or, 'neurons,' that receive signals from them. These neurons increase in sensitivity and overreact to pain signals - resulting in places on the body that usually would not hurt that now do when pressure is applied. The process that begins this Central Sensitization remains unknown.

There is the potential for several factors which may contribute to the development of Fibromyalgia, and there are different theories as to its cause; they include:

Risk Factors for Fibromyalgia

There are some different risk factors for Fibromyalgia; they include:

Classifications of Fibromyalgia

Differences in psychological and autonomic nervous system profiles among affected individuals may indicate the existence of fibromyalgia subtypes. A 2007 review divides individuals with fibromyalgia into four groups, as well as mixed types:

Continued below image.
Fig 2. Labeled diagram displays locations on the human body where some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia may occur.
Fig 2. Labeled diagram displays locations on the human body where some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia may occur.
Continued...

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Stress, the weather, physical activity levels, and even the time of day can affect the symptoms that people experience related to Fibromyalgia. There are several symptoms that people with Fibromyalgia experience; these include:

Some additional symptoms and signs of Fibromyalgia include:

When to Seek Medical Attention

Should you experience widespread pain or general aching over a period of months, accompanied by fatigue; it would be a good idea to contact your doctor. There are many symptoms of Fibromyalgia that are similar to other diseases. There is a possibility that it could be something else, such as Hypothyroidism, Rheumatica, Polymyalgia, Lupus, Neuropathy, Multiple Sclerosis, or Rheumatoid Arthritis. A proper diagnosis is essential; your Doctor can help you find out what is going on.

Testing and Diagnosis

The process of reaching a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia can involve several tests. These tests include blood tests, X-rays and others, which may very well come back with normal results. There is no one single test for Fibromyalgia at this time. Blood testing and X-rays are used because they can tell a Doctor whether other conditions are present, and rule them out. They cannot; however, confirm Fibromyalgia.

In an effort to assist with both the study and assessment of Fibromyalgia, The American College of Rheumatology created a general classification guideline for Fibromyalgia. The guidelines state that to be diagnosed with it, a person must experience widespread pain over a period of at least three months, with a minimum of eleven places on their body which are abnormally tender under mild yet firm pressure. A Doctor will take a person's medical history for background information before examining them. They will then check for these pressure points by pressing firmly on various, specific points around the person's joints, upper body, and head to confirm areas that are causing pain.

There is some disagreement among Doctors in the medical community concerning these guidelines; some of them feel that they are too stringent - that a person can have Fibromyalgia even though they do not meet the specified number of pressure points dictated in the guidelines. Other Doctors are debating both the validity and reliability of using pressure points as a means of diagnosis.

Complications Related to Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia usually does not lead to other diseases or conditions, and it is not progressive. It can cause depression, pain, and lack of sleep and these problems may then disrupt a person's ability to interact with family or friends, or to function at work or home. Fibromyalgia is still an often misunderstood condition, and dealing with it can be very frustrating for people with it.

Fibromyalgia Treatments and Medications

Treating Fibromyalgia can involve several methods of both self-care and medication; an emphasis is placed on lowering the symptoms while increasing a person's overall health. There are some different medications that are used in the treatment of Fibromyalgia; they include:

Lifestyle, Home Remedies and Fibromyalgia

Taking care of yourself is essential when you have Fibromyalgia. There are some different things you can do to help take care of yourself and promote your well-being. These things include:

Support and Coping with Fibromyalgia

Dealing with the fatigue, pain, and the frustration of a misunderstood diagnosis can be difficult, to say the very least. Learn everything you can about Fibromyalgia, and help to educate the people in your life who care for you, such as family members, friends and co-workers.

The Arthritis Foundation and The American Chronic Pain Association provide both support groups and educational classes on Fibromyalgia; you are not alone. These organizations can give advice and help that is not available elsewhere, and help you to contact others who have had experiences similar to yours who understand what you are experiencing.

Alternative Medicine and Fibromyalgia

Alternative therapies such as Yoga and Meditation have been practiced for thousands of years, and have become more popular recently among people who have chronic illnesses like Fibromyalgia. Some alternative treatments seem to safely reduce pain and relieve stress and are gaining acceptance in the medical field. Some alternative treatments remain unapproved because they have not been adequately studied. The ones that are promoted for pain management include:

Fibromyalgia Statistics

Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect 2 to 8% of the population, with a female to male incidence ratio that is somewhere between 7:1 and 9:1. It is most commonly diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50, though onset can occur in childhood. Fibromyalgia may not be diagnosed in up to 75 percent of affected people.

How the U.S. SSA Views Fibromyalgia

Since July 2012, when SSR 12-2P was issued, the United States SSA has had in place a specific guideline for awarding SSDI or SSI benefits to a patient with fibromyalgia. When determining whether to award SSDI or SSI disability benefits to a fibromyalgia patient, the SSA will look not only at medical evidence to back up the diagnosis, but also the treatment protocols that the patient has tried before the application.

If a patient has only tried a single medication, with no medical evidence of additional pain and fatigue management methods that might allow he or she to perform job duties, the SSA might deny the application or delay consideration of it until the applicant can undergo additional treatments that might prove effective. The more varied a care approach is, the more likely the SSA is to award benefits if the patient, after multiple courses of treatment, is still so debilitated by fibromyalgia symptoms that he or she cannot work.

Subtopics

Latest Publications From Our Fibromyalgia Category

1: - A pioneering blood sample test enables fibromyalgia to be identified quicker and precisely.

2: - First RNA-Based Blood Test to Detect Fibromyalgia Introduced by Data Science Company IQuity accurately identifies gene expression pattern consistent with fibromyalgia syndrome, reducing need to rule out other conditions and speeding time to diagnosis.

3: - IMC-1 oral medication proves highly effective at reducing pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia (FM) in patients in a recent clinical trial.

Complete Publications Database


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Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World. (Rev. 2022, April 12). Fibromyalgia: Pain, Causes, Symptoms, Treatments. Disabled World. Retrieved November 13, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/health/fibromyalgia/

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