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| Fibromyalgia |
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• "Fibromyalgia" literally
means "muscle/soft tissue pain". Patients usually
complain of generalized pain described as stiffness or soreness.
Other
symptoms include fatigue and difficulty sleeping. The pain
can migrate from one area of the body to another at different
times.
There is no particular pattern, which makes Fibromyalgia difficult
to diagnose. In females, the pain can increase with the menstrual
cycle. Fibromyalgia patients may be sensitive to sudden weather
changes.
• Fibromyalgia Syndrome affects
as much as 5% of the U.S. population. Females are affected twice
as often as males. The average age at diagnosis is 40 years.
Recent research has attempted to link Fibromyalgia with rheumatic
or systemic illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome.
• A key feature in the diagnosis
of Fibromyalgia Syndrome is fatigue and sleep disorder, specifically,
the inability to obtain to obtain restorative sleep. Recent
studies have shown disrupted stage 4 sleep in Fibromyalgia.
Interestingly,
pain improves with medicines that promote normal sleep patterns,
such as Flexeril® and Elavil®.
• Fibromyalgia patients frequently
have many neurological symptoms, including headaches, numbness,
weakness, difficult concentrating, and lightheadedness. Most
of the time tests such as CT or MRI scan and Nerve Studies are
normal.
• There are many other symptoms
common in Fibromyalgia including: hypersensitivity to medications,
non-cardiac chest pain, and Irritible Bowel Syndrome. As many
as 50% of patients have clinical depression in their lifetime.
• Fibromyalgia Syndrome can
de difficult to diagnose since x-rays, blood tests, and muscle
biopsies are usually normal. Researchers have found a decreased
level of serotonin in the central nervous system. It is believed
that this decreased hormone level is at least partly responsible
for the fatigue and pain in Fibromyalgia.
• Once the diagnosis has been
made, treatment can be just as difficult. Often specific medicines
are prescribed in low doses at night, and long-term use is necessary.
Physical
therapy is as important as medications. The most important
aspect of therapy is regular low-impact cardiovascular exercise.
In some cases, the muscle tender points are injected with local
anesthetic and/or cortisone to treat an acute exacerbation of
myofascial pain.
• Fibromyalgia Syndrome is
a lifelong illness, but with the current available treatments,
many patients can lead productive and satisfying lives.
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